What is included in a story? Literary Elements What is included in a story?

Student Objective Identifying literary elements will help me understand what happens in a story. 4 – write a short story using literary elements 3 – describe how the elements impact the storyline and each other 2 – identify literary elements in a text 1 – define literary elements (plot, setting, character, etc.)

Literary Elements Plot Setting Characters Theme Tone Conflict Resolution

Plot The sequence of events in a literary work. What happens in a story with a clear beginning, middle, and end.

Plot Structure Components Climax: The turning point. The most intense moment (either mentally or in action). Rising Action: the series of conflicts and crisis in the story that lead to the climax. Falling Action: all of the action which follows the Climax. Introduction: The start of the story. The way things are before the action starts. Resolution: The conclusion, the tying together of all of the threads.

Introduction Provides background information about the characters and setting at the beginning of the story The first part of the plot Will often have information about events that happened prior to the story

Conflict The main problem faced by the characters in a literary work. An incident will occur during the exposition that usually introduces a central conflict, which then helps develop the story through the rising action.

Resolution The way the characters solve the main conflict in a literary work.

Setting When and where a literary work takes place. The setting of a story affects the events of the plot or reveals information about a character.

Characters The main people in a literary work. Authors give clues to help readers figure out what a character is like. They might Describe what the character looks like Tell what the character does Show what the character says and thinks

Analyzing Characters Traits Motivations Points of View Conflicts Relationships Change

Ask Yourself… How is this character physically described? Does this character’s appearance say anything about him or her? What does this person say or do? What do the actions and speech of this character say about him or her? Is there any significance to this character’s name? What other attributes does the author describe this character as having? How do other characters view him or her?

Point of View It is the angle from which a story is told First-person The narrator tells the story and may participate in the events Pronouns like I, me, and my are used Third-person (omniscient) The author is an observer who does not take part in the story They can describe the thoughts and actions of all characters

Theme A main idea or message of a literary work. All other elements of a story work together to develop the theme. It is not usually stated directly for you.

Think about these questions to help you find out the theme. What is the story really about? How does the author describe the characters and events? What was the author’s purpose in writing this story? What inferences can I draw from what the author is saying? What lesson can I draw from this story?

Tone The mood or feel of a literary work. It is often conveyed by vivid words that make the reader feel a certain way.