Summary
From fairy tales to science fiction, every story has a setting: when it happens, where it takes place, and how long the action lasts. Strong settings are described using imagery and context clues, to create a particular mood and make us feel like we’re there. The setting “sets” the rules for a story, and works together with other story elements, like character, plot, and conflict, to communicate the story’s theme. Setting plays an especially important role in certain genres, like historical fiction, science fiction, and fantasy. In the historical fiction novel <i>Esperanza Rising,</i> there are two contrasting settings: a grand ranch in 1930s Mexico and a farming camp for migrant workers in California. In the fantasy novel <i>A Wrinkle in Time,</i> the setting of the planet Camazotz is quite different from Earth, and teaches the characters lessons about conformity. No matter your current setting, press “play” to learn more about this key story element.
Viewer safety
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Teaching resources
Discussion questions
A few questions to talk through after watching Setting:
- What is one new thing you learned about setting?
- Can you explain it to a partner in your own words?
- Where might you see this in the real world?
- What is one question you still have?
Quick work-a-long
Try it:
- Write one sentence explaining setting.
- Draw or give one example of your own.