Literary Elements Terminology

Plot & Conflict

Plot Components Climax (crisis): the turning point in the story when the conflict reaches its most intense moment. The conflict is not resolved at this point, it just comes to a head. Rising Action (complication): the series of escalating conflicts and problems in the story that lead to the climax. The rising action begins when the conflict is introduced. Falling Action (story settles): the events and complications of the rising action and climax begin to resolve themselves. Exposition: The mood and conditions existing at the beginning of the story. The setting is identified. The main Characters with their positions, circumstances and relationships to one another are established. The exciting force or initial conflict is introduced. Sometimes called the “Narrative HOOK” this begins the conflict that continues throughout the story. Rising Action: The series of events, conflicts, and crises in the story that lead up to the climax, providing the progressive intensity, and complicate the conflict. Climax: The turning point of the story. A crucial event takes place and from this point forward, the protagonist moves toward his inevitable end. The event may be either an action or a mental decision that the protagonist makes. Falling Action: The events occurring from the time of the climax to the end of the story. The main Character may encounter more conflicts in this part of the story, but the end is inevitable. Resolution/Denouement: The tying up of loose ends and all of the threads in the story. The conclusion. The hero Character either emerges triumphant or is defeated at this point. Resolution (conclusion): the final outcome of the story. The resolution is when the conflict is resolved. The resolution does not have to be a happy one. Exposition (background information): the beginning of the story when the Characters are introduced and the setting is revealed. Inciting Incident (Conflict): The event that introduces the conflict of the story. It begins the rising action.

For the Birds Watch “For the Birds” and pick out the different components of plot from the short. Fill out the plot diagram with the components. For the Birds

Types of Conflict

Character Vs. Character (physical): when the main character struggles against another person. Character vs. Self (psychological): when the main character struggles with himself/herself. Character vs. Society (social): when the main character struggles against the ideas, prejudices, injustices, practices, or customs of other people. Character vs. Nature (survival): when the main character struggles to survive against the natural world. Character vs. Supernatural: (paranormal/magic) when the main character struggles against a supernatural force (ghosts, evil spirits, magic, aliens, etc.)

Types of Conflict What are some examples of stories that use the different types of conflict? Character vs. Character Character vs. Self Character vs. Society Character vs. Nature Character vs. Supernatural

Setting

Examples What are examples of stories where the setting is crucial? What are examples of stories where the setting does not matter?

Aspects of a Story’s Setting Place: WHERE the story is taking place (geographical location, city, country, etc.) What are examples of stories where the PLACE is important?

Aspects of a Story’s Setting Time: WHEN the story is taking place (historical time period, time of day, the year, etc.) What are examples of stories where the TIME is important?

Aspects of a Story’s Setting Atmosphere: The society or culture the story is based in. What are examples of stories where the atmosphere are important?

Character

There are two main types of Characters: Protagonist - the major Character of a story. All of the major events of the story center around this Character. Protagonist does not equal good guy! There are Charactery stories about people with questionable values, motives, or histories. Antagonist – the person or force that the protagonist struggles against. What the antagonist is depends on what the conflict is. If the conflict is Character vs. Character, the antagonist is a person. If the conflict is Character vs. nature, then the antagonist could be a storm, an animal, or a deserted island.

Characters can also be describe as… Static - a Character that never learns or changes. The events of the story do not make the Character a better or a worse person. Minor Characters and villains are often static. Dynamic – a Character that changes, learns, or grows throughout the story. Whether for better or for worse, the events of the story have changed the Character and made them into a different person. Protagonists and other main Characters are usually dynamic.

Characters can also be describe as… Flat – a Character that only has one or two Characteristics. These Characters are not well developed. We as readers only get to see one side of a flat Character’s background or personality, and we do not get into their heads. In other words, these Characters are stereotypes. e.g. brilliant detective, drunk, scrooge, cruel stepmother, etc. Minor Characters and villains are often flat. Round – a Character that is complex, multidimensional, and well developed. We get to know these Characters very well. We as readers get insight into their past, their thoughts, and their motivations. Protagonists and other main Characters are usually round.

Theme

What is a Theme? What the author is trying to say about life, society, or human nature. The theme is revealed through the events of the story and the thoughts/feelings of the characters. The underlying meaning of the story. A universal truth. The moral of the story.

Common Literary Themes

The quest for Eternal Life “Stranger, stop and cast an eye. As you are now, so once was I. As I am now, so you shall be, Prepare for death and follow me.”

Understanding and Accepting Yourself Sometimes called “Character vs. self”

What it means to be a hero…

What it means to be a “survivor.”

What tomorrow’s world holds for us … aka: “The Future”

Love and its EFFECTS Marriage Romance Platonic or companionate love Unselfish love Love of Country Admiration Possessiveness Intense dependency Logical-sensible love Self-centered love Game-Playing Unreturned love Godly love Familial love Infatuation Seductive love Jealousy