Elements of literature Story format – How does an author put together a story?

Cut the following Tabs in your notebook Genre Plot Conflicts Point of view Characters Character traits Setting/Theme Descriptive language

Five genres of literature Fiction Imaginative or made up writing Realistic - has no elements of fantasy; could be true but isn’t Historical -set in the past and based on real people and/or events Science - has aliens, robots, futuristic technology and/or space ships Fantasy - has monsters, magic, or characters with superpowers Drama a play or script Comedy - has a happy ending. Tragedy - ends in death and sadness Folklore stories once passed down orally Fairy Tale -has magic and/or talking animals. Legend - Based on a real person or place; exaggerated in a serious way Tall Tale - Set in the Wild West, the American frontier; exaggeration is humorous Myth - has gods/goddesses and usually accounts for the creation of something Fable - also have talking animals, but fables are VERY short Non Fiction writing that is true Informational Writing - explains something Persuasive Writing - tries to influence the reader Biography - writing about someone else’s life Autobiography - life story written by oneself Poetry writing con-cerned with the beauty of language

Elements of plot Simple Story – Elementary School plot structure More complex plot or novel

Terms to know Exposition: background information a reader must understand in order to know what is going on in the story Conflict: complication or problem the main character(s) must deal with; it gets the action moving Rising Action: events (and more conflicts) that occur when the main character tackles the problem; level of excitement and suspense builds Climax: the main character comes face to face with the problem; most exciting part of the story Falling Action: things begin to get back to normal; life goes on (even if the problem isn't solved) Denoument (Resolve): loose ends are tied off; allows reader to clearly understand what happened

Man vs. conflicts society self man nature external external internal What problems plague the character(s) ? internal external

Point of view First Person Second Person Third Person character in story I, we character’s thoughts Second Person author tells YOU you thoughts are your own Third Person Author/narrator He, she, they Objective – no ones thoughts Limited – one character’s thoughts Omniscient – several character’s thoughts Who is telling the story? Whose thoughts do I know?

foil vs. Characters MINOR STATIC FLAT MAJOR DYNAMIC ROUND Leading roles Most important Most developed or well-rounded Vital to resolution of conflict DYNAMIC Changes over time, usually as result of resolving a central conflict ROUND Display full range of emotions & feelings Have both strengths & weaknesses Their complexity may lead them into conflict both internal & external. MINOR serve to complement the major characters help move the plot events forward STATIC Does not change over time Personality does not transform or evolve FLAT Usually have one distinguishing trait or one specific role in story Exist mainly to advance events in the plot Protagonist Faced with the conflict that must be resolved vs. Antagonist Represents the obstacle the protagonist must overcome

CHARACTER TRAITS How does the reader get to know the character? Direct comments about the character’s personality Physical description of character’s appearance Character’s speech, actions, and thoughts How other’s react to the character How does the reader get to know the character? Indirect Characterization - Character traits revealed through actions or are implicit (not clearly stated, implied). Direct Characterization - Narrator explicitly (clearly stated) describes a character.

Character motivation stated reasons (author can state the reasons) background, speech, thoughts, actions (notice what the character does or says) key events (how does the character interact with others) consider human nature (what do you know about human nature) infer the motives (author can imply the reasons) Why do characters behave the way they do?

TIME PLACE ATMOSPHERE setting life era history day location physical mood weather word choice feelings TIME Where and when does the story take place? PLACE ATMOSPHERE

stated message that is stated directly or is immediately obvious Theme stated message that is stated directly or is immediately obvious implied a message that is not stated and must be inferred by the reader recurring a theme that can be found in different texts, often of the same time period or culture universal a theme that is found throughout all of literature, in different cultures and in different time periods Themes are implied and bigger than the story. a message (not a word, it is a sentence) about life or human nature that the writer shares with the reader

Topic: what is the topic? How many aspects of it are discussed? scope People: How many people are introduced? How well do you get to know them? Places: How many places, or settings, are described? How much do you get to know them? Events: How many events are covered? How much time do these events span? How much do you learn about them? Topic: what is the topic? How many aspects of it are discussed? Narrow Scope: Fewer people, places, events, or ideas Broad Scope: Many people, or events; cover a long period of time

the text creates for the audience Descriptive language When writing descriptions, two types of descriptive words -- adjectives and adverbs -- can be used to make the description more specific. speaker’s attitude emotional effect that the text creates for the audience

self-assured sentimental POSITIVE TONE WORDS + NEUTRAL (+, -, or neutral) NEGATIVE TONE WORDS - admiring adoring affectionate appreciative approving bemused benevolent blithe calm casual celebratory cheerful comforting comic compassionate complimentary conciliatory confident contented delightful earnest ebullient ecstatic effusive elated empathetic encouraging euphoric excited exhilarated expectant facetious fervent flippant forthright friendly funny gleeful gushy happy hilarious hopeful humorous interested introspective jovial joyful laudatory light lively mirthful modest nostalgic optimistic passionate placid playful poignant proud reassuring reflective relaxed respectful reverent romantic sanguine scholarly self-assured sentimental serene silly sprightly straightforward sympathetic tender tranquil whimsical wistful worshipful zealous commanding direct impartial indirect meditative objective questioning speculative unambiguous unconcerned understated abhorring acerbic ambiguous ambivalent angry annoyed antagonistic anxious apathetic apprehensive belligerent bewildered biting bitter blunt bossy cold conceited condescending confused contemptuous curt cynical demanding depressed derisive derogatory desolate despairing desperate detached diabolic disappointed disliking disrespectful doubtful embarrassed enraged evasive fatalistic fearful forceful foreboding frantic frightened frustrated furious gloomy grave greedy grim harsh haughty holier-than-thou hopeless hostile impatient incredulous indifferent indignant inflammatory insecure insolent irreverent lethargic melancholy mischievous miserable mocking mournful nervous ominous outraged paranoid pathetic patronizing pedantic pensive pessimistic pretentious psychotic resigned reticent sarcastic sardonic scornful self-deprecating selfish serious severe sinister skeptical sly solemn somber stern stolid stressful strident suspicious tense threatening tragic uncertain uneasy unfriendly unsympathetic upset violent wry T O N E

M O D amused awed bouncy calm cheerful chipper confident contemplative POSITIVE MOOD WORDS NEGATIVE MOOD WORDS amused awed bouncy calm cheerful chipper confident contemplative content determined dignified dreamy ecstatic empowered energetic enlightened enthralled excited exhilarated flirty giddy grateful harmonious hopeful hyper idyllic joyous jubilant liberating light-hearted loving mellow nostalgic optimistic passionate peaceful playful pleased refreshed rejuvenated relaxed relieved satiated satisfied sentimental silly surprised sympathetic thankful thoughtful touched trustful vivacious warm welcoming aggravated annoyed anxious apathetic apprehensive barren brooding cold confining confused cranky crushed cynical depressed desolate disappointed discontented distressed drained dreary embarrassed enraged envious exhausted fatalistic foreboding frustrated futile gloomy grumpy haunting heartbroken hopeless hostile indifferent infuriated insidious intimidated irate irritated jealous lethargic lonely melancholic merciless moody morose nauseated nervous nightmarish numb overwhelmed painful pensive pessimistic predatory rejected restless scared serious sick somber stressed suspenseful tense terrifying threatening uncomfortable vengeful violent worried M O D

…is a linguistic tool used to depict something in a manner other than literal. Figurative language Term Definition Example Alliteration  The repetition of usually initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words or syllables  The wild and woolly walrus waits and wonders when we'll walk by  Assonance  A resemblance of sound in words or syllables  holy & stony  and Fleet feet sweep by sleeping geese Cliché  A word or phrase that has become overly familiar or commonplace  No pain, no gain Hyperbole  Big exaggeration, usually with humor  mile-high ice-cream cones  Idiom  words together have a meaning that is different from the dictionary definitions of the individual words She sings at the top of her lungs Metaphor  Comparing two things by using one kind of object or using in place of another to suggest the likeness between them  Her hair was silk Onomatopoeia  Naming a thing or an action by imitating the sound associated with it buzz, hiss, roar, woof  Personification  Giving something human qualities  The stuffed bear smiled as the little boy hugged him close Simile  A figure of speech comparing two unlike things that is often introduced by like or as  The sun is like a yellow ball of fire in the sky