Literary terms review

The Building Blocks of a Short Story: Plot Plot is the literary element that describes the structure of a story. A plot diagram is an organizational tool, which is used to map the significant events in a story. By placing the most significant events from a story on the plot diagram, you can visualize the key features of the story. Plot is the literary element that describes the structure of a story. It shows the arrangement of events and actions within a story.

Plot Components Climax: the turning point; the most intense moment—either mentally or in action Falling Action: all of the action which follows the climax Rising Action: the series of conflicts and obstacles in the story that lead to the climax 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. Exposition: the start of the story; before the action starts where setting and characters are introduced and P.O.V. established Resolution: (Denoument)the conclusion, the tying together of all of the loose ends; sum it up

Conflict A struggle between opposing characters or forces Can be internal OR external

Internal vs. External Internal Conflict takes place within the character’s own mind; the character is faced with a difficult choice or decision External Conflict a character struggles with an outside force

Internal Conflict Person vs. Self Character struggles with himself/herself Character is faced with a difficult decision/situation that tests his/her integrity and ability to “do the right thing”, also known as a moral dilemma

External Conflict Types Person vs. Person Character struggles with an opposing person; both people KNOW they’re in conflict Person vs. Technology Character struggles against something man made Not just computers Person vs. Environment Character struggles against his/her surroundings (nature, situation) Person vs. Society Character struggles against a group, majority, or the “norm”

Setting Setting can be more than just a backdrop for events Setting Setting can be more than just a backdrop for events. Setting helps the story unfold. **Setting includes location, time period, and culture** Affects characters: can determine the living conditions available to characters and influence their values, feelings, and ideas Sets a mood: can help create a mood through sensory details that affect the emotions of the reader Creates conflict: can expose characters to natural disasters or other difficult situations, such as war Conveys theme: can communicate theme; can be used as a symbol or a representation of a larger idea beyond itself

Characters Protagonist Antagonist The main character- the one who is facing some sort of obstacle The person in the “person vs. ______” of the central conflict Not always a “ good guy” but is the one the reader roots for Antagonist Opposes the protagonist in the central conflict Not always a “bad guy” but usually is NOT the one the reader roots for

Types of Characters Static Character Does not change much in the course of the story Flat character Doesn’t have a lot of personality traits to identify; boring Dynamic Character Changes as a result of a story’s events Round character Has many aspects to the personality; interesting

Character TRAITS A character trait is a quality that writers reveal through the following methods: Descriptions of the character’s physical appearance The character’s speech, thoughts, and actions Reactions of other characters to the character The narrator’s direct comments

Character Traits Physical: The character is developed by appearance, clothing, posture, or gestures Personality The character is developed by the speech, thoughts, or actions of the character or his/her motivation Often done through other characters’ reactions or interactions with him/her

Character Motivation Any reason that causes the character to behave in a certain way Example: love, fear, jealousy, obediene, experiences/situations

Characterization The way a writer reveals the personality of a character: indirect or direct characterization

Direct Characterization Writer simply tells the reader that a character is amusing or evil or dull or brave. Example: The patient boy and quiet girl were both well mannered and rarely disobeyed their mother.

Indirect Characterization When a writer uses indirect characterization, we must use our own judgment and the evidence the writer gives us to INFER the character’s traits. Example: The small boy whined incessantly while his sister wailed at their mother to buy them things in the store, even after she’d told them no multiple times. What can you infer about the boy and girl and maybe even their mother?