Narrative Elements

Setting The setting is the place in which a story takes place. Why is the setting important? The setting of Echo and Narcissus is the mountains of Greece

Plot All stories have a plot. The plot is just a name for a sequence of events. Every plot should have: Initiating event Rising action Climax Falling action Resolution

Climax Rising Action Falling Action Initiating Event Resolution

Initiating Event The initiating event is the event that triggers the conflict in the plot of a story. Echo chatters away, detaining Hera so that Zeus can sneak back to Mount Olympus. Echo falls in love with Narcissus.

Rising Action The rising action are the series of events that lead up to the main conflict in the story. Hera robs Echo of the ability to speak, except to repeat what others say.

Climax The climax is the struggle between opposing forces. There are two types of conflicts: External conflict Internal conflict Echo falls in love with Narcissus and tries to win his love, but he does not want anything to do with her. Echo is saddened and dies alone in a cave.

Falling Action The falling action occurs when the conflict begins to unravel and leads to the resolution of the story. Echo dies, and Aphrodite punished Narcissus.

Resolution The resolution is the last part of the story, and where the loose ends of the plot are tied up and the story is closed. Echo fades, and Narcissus becomes the flower that we know today.

Group Activity Read each slip of paper carefully. Put the pieces of paper in order to complete the story. Identify each part of the story. Select ONE group member to read the story aloud. You have 10 minutes.

Conflict Without conflict, there is no plot! The plot is created around the conflict. Introduced in the RISING ACTION Is faced head-on during CLIMAX Begins to work itself out during FALLING ACTION Is resolved during RESOLUTION

Types of Conflict External Conflict Internal Conflict An external conflict is between a character and an outside force. Internal Conflict An internal conflict is between a character and his/her self

Types of Conflict External Conflict Internal Conflict Individual vs. Individual Individual vs. Nature Individual vs. society Individual vs. Supernatural Individual vs. Technology Internal Conflict Individual vs. Self

External Conflict Individual vs. Individual A character struggles with another character Protagonist vs. antagonist The classic “good guy” vs. “bad guy” situation

External Conflict Individual vs. Nature A character struggles with a force of nature (natural disaster, animal, etc) Usually, the character is struggling to survive.

External Conflict Individual vs. Society A character or a group of characters fight against the society in which they live. The character fights against social traditions or rules (fight for freedom, rights, for a cauce, etc) Society becomes a “character” of its own.

External Conflict Individual vs. Supernatural A conflict between a character and a god, monsters, super-human power, ghost, aliens, etc

External Conflict Individual vs. Technology A conflict between a character and machine/computer.

Internal Conflict Individual vs. Self The character’s struggle takes place in his/her mind. Usually has something to do with a choice (choosing between right and wrong), or it may have to do with overcoming emotions or mixed feelings.