The setting of the story is very important. The setting tells us where and when the story takes place.

Scary stories are scarier at night, in haunted houses. Some stories take place in colonial days, or in the future. Some stories take place in small towns or big cities. The story's plot may depend heavily on the setting of the story.

Think about the story of Hansel and Gretel. The entire story depends upon the children becoming lost in the woods. The setting is very important to the story.

Some stories take place in mystical, magical places. Peter Pan takes place in a magical place called "Never Never Land" where children never grow up; Alice goes through the looking glass to Wonderland. The plot of these stories depend upon the setting.

How can we communicate the setting to our readers? We can tell them outright, or even better, we can show them by using descriptive words and phrases. Never underestimate the power of a great setting!

Here's an activity for you:

Create a Setting -focus on a place-Palm Springs, California
Create a Setting -focus on a place and time-the civil rights era in the south.