1. Plot: This is the sequence of events that make up the story. It includes the conflict, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
2. Character: These are the people (or sometimes animals or even objects) who populate the story. They have their own personalities, motivations, and relationships.
3. Setting: This refers to the time and place where the story takes place. It can include the physical environment, the social context, and the historical period.
4. Theme: This is the central idea or message that the author is trying to convey. It can be about love, loss, revenge, hope, or any other topic that resonates with the human experience.
There are, of course, many other elements that contribute to the richness and complexity of literature, such as style, language, symbolism, and structure. But these four (plot, character, setting, and theme) are often considered the most fundamental and essential.