What Are the Five Essential Elements of a Novel? The Truth Writers Often Ignore

Here’s what no one tells you: A great novel is not just about plot twists and beautiful prose—it’s about balance. Many aspiring writers focus too much on one element, whether it’s intricate world-building, sharp dialogue, or a shocking climax, but a novel fails when it lacks harmony among its core elements.

So, what are the five essential elements that every novel needs? More importantly, how do they work together to create a compelling story? Let’s break the myths and reveal the truth about what truly makes a novel unforgettable.

1⃣ Characters: The Heartbeat of Every Novel

Here’s the mistake most writers make: They create characters that serve the plot instead of making the plot serve the characters.

A novel without well-developed characters is like a house without a foundation—it collapses under its own weight. Readers don’t just want plot progression; they crave emotional connection. The best novels make you feel like you know the characters personally, whether you love or hate them.

What Makes a Character Unforgettable?

Depth: They have fears, flaws, and motivations beyond the surface.
Change: A strong character arc is more powerful than any plot twist.
Realistic Dialogue: People don’t speak in perfect sentences. The way a character talks should reflect who they are.

Example: Think of Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice. She’s witty, stubborn, and independent—her personality drives the novel’s tension and romance.

Pro Tip: Instead of writing a backstory for your characters, ask yourself: “What are they most afraid of losing?” That fear will define their actions.

2⃣ Plot: More Than Just a Sequence of Events

Many people believe a plot is just "what happens" in a novel. Wrong. A strong plot isn’t about random events—it’s about cause and effect.

A great plot follows a clear structure, where each event drives the next. This is why so many classic stories follow the three-act structure:

• Act 1: Setup – Who is the protagonist, and what is their problem?
• Act 2: Conflict – What stands in their way?
• Act 3: Resolution – Do they succeed or fail?

Why Some Novels Fail in Plot Development

Too predictable: If readers see the ending coming from a mile away, you’ve lost them.
Too random: If characters make choices that feel forced just to push the plot forward, the story feels fake.
No stakes: If the main character has nothing to lose, why should the reader care?

Example: In The Great Gatsby, the plot isn’t just about a man throwing parties—it’s about obsession, illusion, and downfall. Every event builds to a tragic climax.

Pro Tip: Think of your plot as a chain reaction. If you remove one major event, would the entire story collapse? If not, your plot might be too weak.

3⃣ Setting: More Than Just a Background

A setting isn’t just where a story takes place—it shapes the atmosphere, the characters, and even the conflict. In the best novels, the setting is almost a character itself.

What Makes a Setting Powerful?

It influences the characters: A novel set in a war zone will force different choices than one set in a small town.
It creates mood and tone: A dark, rainy city feels different from a sunny beachside town.
It isn’t just decoration: The setting should impact the themes of the story.

Example: In Wuthering Heights, the wild Yorkshire moors aren’t just scenery—they reflect the turbulent emotions of the characters.

Pro Tip: Describe your setting through your character’s eyes. A hopeful character will see a street differently than a depressed one.

4⃣ Conflict: The Engine That Drives the Story

No conflict, no novel. Conflict isn’t just about fights and arguments—it’s about what stands between a character and what they want.

The best stories have layers of conflict:
Internal Conflict: The character vs. themselves (e.g., self-doubt, trauma).
External Conflict: The character vs. someone or something else (e.g., an antagonist, society, nature).
Philosophical Conflict: The character vs. an idea (e.g., morality, fate, justice).

Why Some Stories Have Weak Conflict

The stakes are too low: If the protagonist can walk away from the problem without consequences, it’s not real conflict.
It’s resolved too easily: If problems disappear without effort, the novel feels shallow.

Example: In Harry Potter, Harry faces external conflict (Voldemort), internal conflict (his identity and fears), and philosophical conflict (the nature of good vs. evil).

Pro Tip: Ask yourself, “What is the hardest thing my protagonist could face right now?” Then make them face it.

5⃣ Theme: The Soul of the Novel

A novel without a theme is just words on a page. Theme is the deeper meaning that stays with the reader long after they finish the book.

Many writers don’t consciously think about theme, but the best novels explore ideas that resonate. A theme isn’t a lesson—it’s a question.

Examples of Strong Themes

The Catcher in the Rye – The struggle between innocence and adulthood.
1984 – The dangers of totalitarianism.
To Kill a Mockingbird – Justice vs. racism.

Example: The Hunger Games isn’t just about survival—it’s about power, control, and resistance.

Pro Tip: Instead of forcing a theme, let it emerge naturally from your characters’ struggles.

The Bottom Line: Balance is Everything

The best novels don’t just have these five elements—they balance them perfectly.

Compelling characters make readers invest emotionally.
A well-structured plot keeps them turning pages.
A vivid setting makes the story feel real.
High-stakes conflict drives tension and excitement.
A deep theme gives the story meaning.

If one of these elements is missing or underdeveloped, the novel feels incomplete.

So, if you’re writing a novel, ask yourself:
Is my protagonist unforgettable?
Does my plot feel inevitable yet surprising?
Would my setting still be interesting without my characters?
Is my conflict meaningful enough to keep readers engaged?
Will my theme stick with readers after they close the book?

The best novels don’t just tell stories—they make readers feel something. If you get these five elements right, your novel won’t just be good—it will be unforgettable.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.