Elements of Literature Student Notes

Plot Diagram 3 4 2 1 5

Plot (definition) Plot is the organized pattern or sequence of events that make up a story. Every plot is made up of a series of incidents that are related to one another.

1. Exposition This usually occurs at the beginning of a short story. Here the characters are introduced. We also learn about the setting of the story. Most importantly, we are introduced to the main conflict (main problem).

2. Rising Action This part of the story begins to develop the conflict(s). A building of interest or suspense occurs.

3. Climax This is the turning point of the story. Usually the main character comes face to face with a conflict. The main character will change in some way.

4. Falling Action All loose ends of the plot are tied up. The conflict(s) and climax are taken care of.

5. Resolution The story comes to a reasonable ending.

Putting It All Together 1. Exposition 2. Rising Action 3. Climax 4. Falling Action 5. Resolution Beginning of Story Middle of Story End of Story

Symbol A symbol is a person, a place, an activity, or an object that stands for something beyond itself.

Conflict Conflict is the dramatic struggle between two forces in a story. Without conflict, there is no plot.

Types of Conflict External: Character vs Character Character vs Nature Character vs Society Internal: Character vs Self

Character vs. Character Conflict This type of conflict finds the main character in conflict with another character, human or not human. The new one is the most beautiful of all; he is so young and pretty.” And the old swans bowed their heads before him. Then he felt quite ashamed, and hid his head under his wing; for he did not know what to do, he was so happy, and yet not at all proud. He had been persecuted and despised for his ugliness, and now he heard them say he was the most beautiful of all the birds. The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Anderson

Character vs. Nature Conflict This type of conflict finds the main character in conflict with the forces of nature, which serve as the antagonist It´s a Truffula Seed. It´s the last one of all! You´re in charge of the last of the Truffula Seeds. And Truffula Trees are what everyone needs. Plant a new Truffula. Treat it with care. Give it clean water. And feed it fresh air. Grow a forest. Protect it from axes that hack. Then the Lorax and all of his friends may come back. The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

Character vs. Society Conflict This type of conflict has the main character in conflict with a larger group: a community, society, culture, etc. “I’m tired of living in a hole,” said Jenny. “Let’s fight for freedom!” cried Bouncer. “We’ll be soldiers! Rough-riding Rowdies! I’ll be the general and commander-in-chief!” The Island of the Skog by Steven Kellogg

Character vs. Self Conflict In this type of conflict, the main character experiences some kind of inner conflict. Finally, Sam’s father said, “Go to bed now. But before you go to sleep, Sam, tell yourself the difference between REAL and MOONSHINE.” Sam, Bangs & Moonshine by Evaline Ness

Types of Characters Main (Major) or Minor Protagonist: The main character of a story who pushes the story forward Antagonist: The character who frustrates, deceives, or works against the main character.

Types of Characters Round Character: A character with many qualities and personality traits Flat Character: A character with only a couple characteristics; is often the stereotypical character of the story

Methods of Characterization Creating Believable Characters Indirect speech, thoughts, feelings, or actions of the main character or of other characters Direct the narrator’s direct comments about a character physical appearance

Setting Time and place Puts the reader in the story by giving the reader the feeling of being in the situation. Creates atmosphere by the positive or negative feelings associated with the place.

Mood The feeling or atmosphere that the writer creates for the reader through word choice and imagery. Types of mood: scary, romantic, violent, hopeful, etc.

Tone The manner in which written words might be said Example: sarcastic, mild, witty, angry

Theme Moral A perception about life or human nature that the writer wants to share with the reader. In most cases, the theme is not stated directly but must be inferred. Themes can be revealed by a story’s title key phrases and statements about big ideas the ways the characters change and the lessons they learn about life.

(Who’s telling this story anyway?) Point of View Point of View or . . . (Who’s telling this story anyway?) -the vantage point from which the story is told. -determines how much we, the readers, know about the characters.

1st Person Narrator is a character in the story. Narrator uses first-person pronouns, I, me, my, we, us, our to refer to himself or herself. Narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of one character and speaks directly to reader.

2nd Person The narrator brings “you,” the reader, into the story

3rd Person Limited Narrator does not participate in action of story. Narrator does not refer to himself or herself. Narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of one character, but readers are able to maintain some emotional distance from the character.

3rd Person Omniscient The narrator sees into the minds of more than one character when telling the story- uses “he,” “she,” “they,” etc. This narrator KNOWS ALL

Dialogue One character speaking to another One character speaking to themselves (internal dialogue, personal thought)

Dialogue Dialogue tag- says who is speaking Tag in the Beginning: Can appear at the beginning, middle, or end of dialogue Tag in the Beginning: He said, “I don’t want to go to the movies.” Notice the use of the comma, quotation marks, and the period INSIDE of the quotation marks

Dialogue Tag in the Middle: “I don’t want to go the movies,” he said, “but I will go to the park.” Notice the quotation marks around the first part of his dialogue, followed by a comma INSIDE the quotations marks Next is a comma after said Followed by quotation marks around the last part of his dialogue with a period INSIDE

Dialogue Tag in the End: “I don’t want to go to the movies,” he said. Notice the quotations marks, a COMMA at the end of the dialogue and a period after said.

Dialogue Internal dialogue: You can write this two ways: 1. Like regular dialogue with quotation marks 2. Italicize thoughts: I don’t want to go the movies, he thought. He thought, I don’t want to go to the movies I don’t want to go to the movies, he thought, but I’ll go to the park.

Dialogue Skip a line every time a new person speaks: As Steve came into Julie’s room, he said, “I don’t want to go to the movies.” “Would you like to go to the park?” Julie asked. He replied, “That sounds good!” Steve and Julie walked outside and headed to the park. As soon as they got there, Julie spotted the swings. “Let’s go on those first!” she said.

Irony Verbal Irony:  This is the contrast between what is said and what is meant. In other words, sarcasm. Dramatic Irony:  This is the contrast between what the character thinks to be true and what we (the reader) know to be true.  Sometimes as we read we are placed in the position of knowing more than what one character knows.  Because we know something the character does not, we read to discover how the character will react when he or she learns the truth of the situation.  Think:  soap operas!

Irony Situational Irony:  This is the most common in literature.  It is the contrast between what happens and what was expected (or what would seem appropriate).  Because it emerges from the events and circumstances of a story it is often more subtle and effective than verbal or dramatic irony.