What parts make up a story? Literary Elements What parts make up a story? http://members.tripod.com/dscorpio/images/literary_elements.ppt

Story are made up of 4 parts: Setting Characters Plot Climax Resolution Theme

SETTING WHEN? WHERE? MOOD? TONE?

Setting Time and place where the action occurs Clues that tell you SETTING: Furniture Scenery Customs Transportation Clothing Dialects Weather Time of day Time of year

Elements of a Setting

The Functions of a Setting To create a mood or atmosphere To show a reader a different way of life To make action seem more real To be the source of conflict or struggle To symbolize an idea Thomas Kincaid painting- If a narrative begins in this painting, what mood and tone is it setting? Where does it take place? When? How does this warm, fuzzy setting affect the story?

WHO IS IT? WHY IS HE THAT WAY? HOW DOES HE AFFECT THE STORY? CHARACTERS WHO IS IT? WHY IS HE THAT WAY? HOW DOES HE AFFECT THE STORY?

Types of Characters Protagonist-main character Antagonist-against the main character Secondary characters Static characters-don’t change, have no depth Dynamic characters-interesting, change throughout book

Characterization A writer reveals what a character is like and how the character changes throughout the story. Two primary methods of characterization: Direct- writer tells what the character is like Indirect- writer shows what a character is like through actions, speech, or thoughts of other characters.

Direct Characterization …And I don’t play the dozens or believe in standing around with somebody in my face doing a lot of talking. I much rather just knock you down and take my chances even if I’m a little girl with skinny arms and a squeaky voice, which is how I got the name Squeaky. From “Raymond’s Run” by T. Bambara

Indirect Characterization “I will do that, Ramona,” said the lawyer. “But be careful. He is a devious, danger man.” -pp. 33 Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan

Elements of Character

Factors in Analyzing Characters Physical appearance of character Personality Background/personal history Motivation Relationships Conflict Does character change?

WHAT IS HAPPENING? WHY? WHY DOES IT MATTER? PLOT WHAT IS HAPPENING? WHY? WHY DOES IT MATTER?

Plot Plot is what happens and how it happens in a narrative. A narrative is any work that tells a story, such as a short story, a novel, a drama, or a narrative poem.

Parts of a Plot Exposition-introduction to story where setting, main characters, conflict, mood, and tone are introduced. Rising Action- events that occur as result of central conflict. Climax- point where protagonist makes a profound change. Falling Action- where loose ends are tied up, especially in side-stories. Resolution- when conflict ends.

Diagram of Plot Climax Falling Action Rising Action Resolution/Denouement Exposition

Special Techniques of Plot Suspense- excitement or tension. Foreshadowing- hint or clue about what will happen in story. Flashback- interrupts the normal sequence of events to tell about something that happened in the past. Surprise Ending- conclusion that reader does not expect. Cliffhanger- when a narrative lacks a satisfying resolution.

Conflict Conflict is a struggle between opposing forces Every plot must contain some kind of conflict Stories can have more than one conflict 4 main types of conflict: Man vs. man- protagonist struggles against another character in the narrative Man vs. self- protagonist has internal struggle against some problem within himself Man vs. nature- protagonist struggles against an element of nature (like a blizzard or an animal) Man vs. society- protagonist against a social injustice, like racism or an unfair government

WHAT CAN THE READER LEARN FROM THIS NARRATIVE? THEME WHAT CAN THE READER LEARN FROM THIS NARRATIVE?

Theme A central message, concern, or insight into life expressed through a literary work Can be expressed by one or two sentence statement about human beings or about life Interpretation uncovers the theme-it is usually not directly stated by the author

Example of Theme “Every man needs to feel allegiance to his native country, whether he always appreciates that country or not.” From “A Man Without a Country” by Edward Hale pg. 185 in Prentice Hall Literature book

Example of what ISN’T a theme: “Love” Love is not a lesson you learn from a narrative. It is an idea, not a theme. “In order to truly love someone else, you must first love yourself.” This is a lesson you can learn about love from a narrative, therefore this is a THEME.