What every good story must have Literary Elements What every good story must have

Literary Elements Plot - the sequence of events in a story, novel, or play

Plot Exposition – the part of the story that introduces the characters, setting, and situation Narrative hook - used to catch readers’ attention (inciting incident)

Conflict Conflict - a struggle between opposing forces in a story or drama external – conflict with outside force character vs. nature

Conflict external – conflict with outside force character vs. character character vs. society (struggles against ideas, practices, or customs of other people)

Conflict external – conflict with outside force character vs. supernatural (anything out of human control – fate) character vs. technology

Conflict internal – conflict within the mind of a character who is torn between opposing feelings or goals (must make some decision, overcome pain, quiet their temper, resist an urge, etc.) character vs. self - ideas of right or wrong, physical limitation, choices, etc.

Plot Rising action – the part of the story that adds complications to conflict and increases reader interest Climax – point of highest emotional pitch

Plot Falling action - the action that is a logical result of climax, the end of the central problem Resolution (denouement) – presents the final outcome

Plot Diagram Rising Action Falling Action Exposition Resolution Climax Narrative Hook (Inciting incident)

Literary Techniques Flashback – an interruption in a chronological narrative that tells about something that happened before that point in the story or before the story began Gives information that helps to explain the main events

Literary Techniques Foreshadowing the use of clues by an author to prepare readers for events that will happen in a story A hint of what to expect example: Jaws theme

Literary Techniques Suspense a feeling of curiosity, uncertainty, or even dread about what is going to happen next

Point of View Narrator – Point of view – the person who tells a story (sometimes a character) Point of view – the relationship of the narrator to the story

Point of View First person story is told by one of the characters Uses “I” Sees everything through that character’s eyes

Point of View Limited third person narrator reveals the thoughts of only one character Uses “he” or “she” Sees everything through that one character’s eyes

Point of View Omniscient narrator reveals the thoughts of several characters Uses “he” or “she” Sees things through the eyes of several characters

Character Character a person or animal in a literary work

Character Round many, sometimes contradictory, traits faults and virtues

Character Flat reveal only one personality trait Stereotype – flat character of a familiar and often-repeated type

Character Dynamic characters who change and/or grow during the story

Character Static remain primarily the same throughout the story

Character Protagonist – the central character in a literary work Antagonist – a person or force that opposes the protagonist in a literary work

Character Hero/heroine – a literary work’s main character, usually one with admirable qualities

Characterization Characterization the methods a writer uses to develop the personality of the character

Characterization Direct the writer makes direct statements about a character’s personality Example: Rita was small and fragile looking, but she had immense courage and independence.

Characterization Indirect - writer reveals character’s personality through: Character’s words and actions “I’m afraid, but I’ll do it anyway!” said Rita. With determined effort, Rita managed to get the rowboat into the lake and clambered aboard.

Characterization Indirect - writer reveals character’s personality through: Other characters’ thoughts and words about character Polly watched from the shore, knowing it was impossible to stop Rita once she had decided to do something. “She’s so stubborn!” Polly thought.

Characterization Indirect - writer reveals character’s personality through: Character’s thoughts and feelings As the cold water of the lake wrapped around her legs, Rita trembled at the memory of last summer’s accident.

Setting Setting – the time and place in which the events of a literary work occur often the backdrop – a context in which the characters interact place - geographical location Where is the action of the story taking place?

Setting time - historical period, time of day, year When is the story taking place? weather conditions – Is it rainy, sunny, stormy, etc?

Setting social conditions – What is the daily life of the character's like? Does the story contain local color (writing that focuses on the speech, dress, mannerisms, customs, traditions, etc. of a particular place)? mood or atmosphere – the feeling created by a place   Is it bright and cheerful or dark and frightening?

Theme Theme – a literary work’s overall message about life or human nature also found in television and film

Theme Stated theme – Implied theme – expressed directly revealed gradually through other elements (plot, character, setting, point of view, symbol, and irony)

Theme Examples of themes: By living with nature, we learn about the world and about ourselves. Solving family problems involves love and compromise. A friendship is sometimes tested by tough lessons and decisions. Things are not always as they appear to be. People are afraid of change.

Irony Irony - a form of expression in which the intended meaning of the words used is the opposite of their literal meaning

Irony Verbal irony – person says one thing and means another Situational irony – the outcome of a situation is the opposite of what was expected