Setting:
Setting refers to the when and where of a story.

WHEN:
Time period (perhaps today, 10 years ago, 300 years ago, or perhaps 300 in the future.)

•  It can be specific, (June 7th, 1992, at 3 pm)
• This is done, so that you can imagine things you already might know about the time in place.
• Example: We know Harry Potter is present day.  This lets us imagine ourselves in the Muggle world, and makes the contrast of Hogwarts that much more sensational.
• It can be vague, with no real idea.
• This allows you to let your imagination run wild, sometimes letting you think more on a different area of the story.
• This can also be used in fantasy stories, since other worlds/ other creatures would not have any use for our calendar.
• Without a specific time period, a story can have a timeless quality to it.

Where can include a multitude of places, real or made up.

• Geographic: I could tell you the story takes place in a real geographic place, like England, or Connecticut.
• Harry Potter begins on Privet Dr. (made up) in Surrey, England (real place)
• Location: the story takes place in a mansion, or business office.
• Harry Potter takes place in a number of different locations: A castle (Hogwarts), A train, the Dursley’s home.
• Scenes: The places where the characters relate, interact, and are usually within another place.
• Harry’s room is described as having 5 4 poster beds, draped in red velvet. Harry takes his Potions class in the dungeon.

This brings us to the point of setting.  Setting can set a mood . It can be used to test characters, or to bring out certain aspects of characters.  Example: Harry’s only class that takes place in the dungeons is with Snape.  Harry feels he is in a prison. Also, the Dungeon is described as cold, and that would be a fitting description of Snape as well.