Elements of a Narrative Story

Elements of a Narrative Story Plot Theme Setting Character Point of View Conflict

Plot: How Stories Happen What is plot? The structure of a story; the order of the story What happens when? The structure of a story. The sequence in which the author arranges events in a story. The structure of a five-act play often includes the rising action, the climax, the falling action, and the resolution. The plot may have a protagonist who is opposed by antagonist, creating what is called, conflict.

Parts of Plot Climax Rising Action Falling Action Exposition Resolution

What is Exposition? Also called “the opening” of story Beginning of story Introduces characters, setting, and tone In drama, the presentation of essential information regarding what has occurred prior to the beginning of the play. The exposition is the introductory material which presents the characters, setting, and tone of the play.

What is Rising Action? Conflict is presented Find out what problem the main character or characters are facing Complications arise as the character(s) tries to resolve the conflict

What is Climax? The high point of a story- usually an event- where the character must choose how to settle the conflict The decisive moment in a drama, the climax is the turning point of the play to which the rising action leads. The action reaches a high point and results in a climax, the turning point in the play.

What is Falling Action? Action following the climax Leads to the end The falling action is the series of events which take place after the climax.

What is Resolution? Problems are solved Action comes to an end The part of a story or drama which occurs after the climax and which establishes a new norm, a new state of affairs-the way things are going to be from then on.

What is Theme? Message about life What the work is about The “fortune cookie” of the story Unlike plot which deals with the action of a work, theme concerns itself with a work's message or contains the general idea of a work. An ingredient of a literary work which gives the work unity. The theme provides an answer to the question What is the work about?

Back to Review Question What is Setting? Place Time Atmosphere The time and place in which a story unfolds. The setting in Act 1, scene 1 of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," for example, is a public square in Verona, Italy. A drama may contain a single setting, Or the setting may change from scene to scene. Back to Review Question

A person or animal in a story What is a Character? A person or animal in a story A person or force which opposes the protagonist in a literary work. The hero or central character of a literary work. In accomplishing his or her objective, the protagonist is hindered by some opposing force either human

Character What is a protagonist? Main character Hero of the story In reaching their goal, the protagonist must conquer an opposing force, person or situation. What is a protagonist?

Character What is an antagonist? Opposes protagonist Bad guy A person or force which opposes the protagonist in a literary work. The hero or central character of a literary work. In accomplishing his or her objective, the protagonist is hindered by some opposing force either human

What is Point of View? Perspective from which the story is told- The person telling the story A piece of literature contains a speaker who is speaking either in the first person, telling things from his or her own perspective, or in the third person, telling things from the perspective of an onlooker. The perspective used is called the Point of View, and is referred to either as first person or third person. If the speaker knows everything including the actions, motives, and thoughts of all the characters, the speaker is referred to as omniscient (all-knowing). If the speaker is unable to know what is in any character's mind but his or her own, this is called limited omniscience First person, third person, limited third person, central intelligence omniscient....The story is told from the point of view of who? Does the narrator speak in first person, using "I" or third person, using "he, she, they." Look in your text for a fuller understanding of point of view if you do not understand fully.

Point of View First-person Who is telling the Third-person story? Third-person limited Third-person omniscient A piece of literature contains a speaker who is speaking either in the first person, telling things from his or her own perspective, or in the third person, telling things from the perspective of an onlooker. The perspective used is called the Point of View, and is referred to either as first person or third person. If the speaker knows everything including the actions, motives, and thoughts of all the characters, the speaker is referred to as omniscient (all-knowing). If the speaker is unable to know what is in any character's mind but his or her own, this is called limited omniscience First person, third person, limited third person, central intelligence omniscient....The story is told from the point of view of who? Does the narrator speak in first person, using "I" or third person, using "he, she, they." Look in your text for a fuller understanding of point of view if you do not understand fully. •First-person: narrator is a character in the story; uses “I”, “we”, etc. •Third-person: narrator outside the story; uses “he”, “she”, “they” •Third-person limited: narrator tells only what one character perceives •Third-person omniscient: narrator can see into the minds of all characters

A struggle between opposing forces in a story What is Conflict? A struggle between opposing forces in a story In the plot of a drama, conflict occurs when the protagonist is opposed by some person or force in the play. A conflict often develops between the protagonist and an antagonist. Conflict: A problem or struggle between two opposing forces in a story. Here are the four basic conflicts: •person against person—a problem between characters •person against self—a problem within a character’s own mind •person against society—a problem between a character and society, school, the law, or some tradition •person against nature—a problem between a character and some element of nature—a blizzard, a hurricane, a mountain climb, etc.

What is Conflict? Person against self Person against person Person against society Person against nature In the plot of a drama, conflict occurs when the protagonist is opposed by some person or force in the play. A conflict often develops between the protagonist and an antagonist. Conflict: A problem or struggle between two opposing forces in a story. Here are the four basic conflicts: •person against person—a problem between characters •person against self—a problem within a character’s own mind •person against society—a problem between a character and society, school, the law, or some tradition •person against nature—a problem between a character and some element of nature—a blizzard, a hurricane, a mountain climb, etc.

Do you know the elements of a Short Story? Review Do you know the elements of a Short Story? ` Plot Theme Setting Character Point of View Conflict

What part shows the structure of the story? Setting Plot Point of view Character

What part shows the structure of the story? Setting Plot Point of view Character B. Plot

What part is the “fortune cookie” of the story, telling the lesson or message of the story? A. Title B. Exposition C. Theme D. Setting

What part is the “fortune cookie” of the story, telling the lesson or message of the story? A. Title B. Exposition C. Theme D. Setting C. Theme

What part involves the place and time that the story takes place? A. Setting B. Climax C. Point of view D. Plot

What part involves the place and time that the story takes place? A. Setting B. Climax C. Point of view D. Plot A. Setting

What part tells who is telling the story? A. Climax B. Character C. Setting D. Point of view

What part tells who is telling the story? A. Climax B. Character C. Setting D. Point of view D. Point of view

What is the high point of the story? A. Character B. Climax C. Exposition D. Protagonist

What is the high point of the story? A. Character B. Climax C. Exposition D. Protagonist B. Climax

Who is the protagonist? A. The main character B. The point of view C. The climax D. The bad guy

Who is the protagonist? A. The main character B. The point of view C. The climax D. The bad guy A. The main character

Way To Go!! You have mastered the elements of a narrative story!!