What are the elements of a story?

The elements of a story are plot, characters, setting,
problem, point of view, solution, rising action, climax and falling action or
resolution.

The plot is the story line.  Is it an adventure
story or a Cinderella story?

The characters fall into two
categories: protagonist and antagonist.  The protagonist is the main character or hero
of the story.  The antagonist is the villain or nemesis of the main character.  Other
characters in the story will fall on either side of the main character or the villain or
will be neutral characters who might even be telling the
story.

The setting is a dramatic element of a story. 
Mystery stories often involve storms, fog and rain.  Romance stories often have open
meadows with flowers in full bloom.  The setting creates the mood for the
reader.

The point of view tells you how the reader observes
the story. is the story being told by one of the characters in 1st person?  Is the story
being told from a "bird's eye" point of view "omniscient" 3rd person point of
view?

The problem/solution is the dramatic unfolding of the
story.  The rising action leads up to the climax of the story which is the peak action
and most exciting portion of the story.  After that, the story is being wrapped up and
loose ends tidied.  Stories typically have some sort of "ending" that is either happy or
tragic.  In a mystery, the villain is caught or discovered.  In a romance, the couple
marry and live happily ever after.  In Western stories, the cowboy rides off into the
sunset after breaking up a brawl in the local saloon.