The Elements of Fiction: Important literary devices

Learning Standards: RL : Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. I can use quotations to support my opinion of a text. I can use quotations to support my opinion of a text.

Learning Standard #2: RL : Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure a text, order events within it (e.g., parallel plots), and manipulate time (e.g., pacing, flashbacks) create such effects as mystery, tension, or surprise. I can explain how the way a story is set up creates suspense and mystery. I can explain how the way a story is set up creates suspense and mystery.

Learning Standard #3: SL : Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9–10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively. I can have an academic discussion about what I am reading. I can have an academic discussion about what I am reading.

Learning Standard #4 L : Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings. I can explain different types of figurative language and how it adds to a text.

Elements of Fiction: The parts of a story

Setting The setting is where the story takes place. The setting is where the story takes place. Setting includes the following.. + geographical location (ex. California, Paris) + the time period (ex. 1990, WWII) +the socio-economic condition of the area (ex. wealthy suburbs, inner city) + the specific room, building, etc. (ex. a prep school, a log cabin)

Setting Allows for characterization Allows for characterization Creates mood and atmosphere Creates mood and atmosphere Can be symbolic Can be symbolic Used to foreshadow events in the plot Used to foreshadow events in the plot

Characters Round Characters are convincing, true to life. They have many different and sometimes even contradictory personality traits. Round Characters are convincing, true to life. They have many different and sometimes even contradictory personality traits. Flat Characters are stereotyped, shallow, and often symbolic. They have only one or two personality traits. Flat Characters are stereotyped, shallow, and often symbolic. They have only one or two personality traits.

More character types: Static Characters do not change in the course of the story. Static Characters do not change in the course of the story. Dynamic Characters undergo some kind of change or growth during the story, usually because of something that happens to them. Dynamic Characters undergo some kind of change or growth during the story, usually because of something that happens to them. –Characters cannot be round and flat at the same time; they also cannot be static and dynamic

More character types: Protagonist: the main character in a literary work. Protagonist: the main character in a literary work. Antagonist: the character who opposes the protagonist. Antagonist: the character who opposes the protagonist.

Methods of Characterization Direct Characterization: the author develops the personality of a character through direct statements. Direct Characterization: the author develops the personality of a character through direct statements. “Jack had been in basic training in Florida and Dottie was there on vacation with her parents. They’d met on a beach and struck up a conversation. Dottie was the talker, the outgoing one – the extrovert. Jack was too shy to say much around girls at all.” “Jack had been in basic training in Florida and Dottie was there on vacation with her parents. They’d met on a beach and struck up a conversation. Dottie was the talker, the outgoing one – the extrovert. Jack was too shy to say much around girls at all.” “Furlough – 1944” by Harry Mazer

Methods of Characterization Indirect Characterization: Revealing a character’s personality through… Indirect Characterization: Revealing a character’s personality through… 1. The character’s thoughts, words, or actions 2. The comments of other characters 3. The character’s physical appearance

Indirect characterization through a character’s THOUGHTS. “Moonbeam closed his eyes and pretended to sleep all the way to Bamfield. He couldn’t believe what he had gotten himself into. How had this happened? He’d never held a gun in his life, much less gone hunting for animals.” “Moonbeam closed his eyes and pretended to sleep all the way to Bamfield. He couldn’t believe what he had gotten himself into. How had this happened? He’d never held a gun in his life, much less gone hunting for animals.” “Moonbeam Dawson and the Killer Bear” by Jean Okimoto

Indirect characterization through a character’s WORDS. "'Well, we ain't got any,' George exploded. 'Whatever we ain't got, that's what you want. God a'mighty, if I was alone I could live so easy. I could go get a job an' work, an' no trouble....An' whatta I got,' George went on furiously. "'Well, we ain't got any,' George exploded. 'Whatever we ain't got, that's what you want. God a'mighty, if I was alone I could live so easy. I could go get a job an' work, an' no trouble....An' whatta I got,' George went on furiously. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Indirect characterization through a character’s ACTIONS. “The boy held his breath; he wondered whether his father would hear his heart beating…Through a crack in the counter he could see his father where he stood, one hand held high to his stiff collar…” “The boy held his breath; he wondered whether his father would hear his heart beating…Through a crack in the counter he could see his father where he stood, one hand held high to his stiff collar…” “I Spy” by Graham Greene “I Spy” by Graham Greene

Indirect characterization through APPEARANCE. "...and he walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws." "...and he walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws." Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Plot Plot is the literary element that describes the structure of the story. It shows the arrangement of events and actions within a story. Plot is the literary element that describes the structure of the story. It shows the arrangement of events and actions within a story.

Sub-plot (Parallel Plot) The subordinate plot in a piece of literature. The subordinate plot in a piece of literature. It involves characters of lesser importance than those involved in the major plot. can be roughly divided into three categories: subplots that become part of the main plot, subplots that explain the character and subplots that are part of a bigger ongoing story.

1. Exposition This usually occurs at the beginning of a short story. Here the characters are introduced. We also learn about the setting of the story. Most importantly, we are introduced to the main conflict (main problem). This usually occurs at the beginning of a short story. Here the characters are introduced. We also learn about the setting of the story. Most importantly, we are introduced to the main conflict (main problem).

2. Rising Action This part of the story begins to develop the conflict(s). A building of interest or suspense occurs. This part of the story begins to develop the conflict(s). A building of interest or suspense occurs.

3. Climax This is the turning point of the story. Usually the main character comes face to face with a conflict. The main character will change in some way. This is the turning point of the story. Usually the main character comes face to face with a conflict. The main character will change in some way.

4. Falling Action All loose ends of the plot are tied up. The conflict(s) and climax are taken care of. All loose ends of the plot are tied up. The conflict(s) and climax are taken care of.

5. Resolution The story comes to a reasonable ending. The story comes to a reasonable ending.

Putting It All Together 1. Exposition 2. Rising Action 3. Climax 4. Falling Action 5. Resolution Beginning of Story Middle of Story End of Story

Elements of Plot: Conflict Conflict is the dramatic struggle between two opposing forces in the story. Without conflict, there would be no plot. Conflict is the dramatic struggle between two opposing forces in the story. Without conflict, there would be no plot.

Plot: Types of Conflict External Conflicts: Human vs. Human Human vs. Human Human vs. Society Human vs. Nature Human vs. Nature Internal Conflict: Human vs. Self

Plot: Theme Theme is the central message in the story. It usually contains some insight into the human condition – telling something about humans and life. Theme is the central message in the story. It usually contains some insight into the human condition – telling something about humans and life. The theme can be stated directly or implied by the events and actions of the character in the story. The theme can be stated directly or implied by the events and actions of the character in the story. Must be a persuasive statement Must be a persuasive statement

Point of View The perspective from which the story is told. The perspective from which the story is told. Who is telling the story? (For example, is it a player on the opposing team, someone watching the game) Who is telling the story? (For example, is it a player on the opposing team, someone watching the game) How do we know what is happening? (For example, does a character tell us?) How do we know what is happening? (For example, does a character tell us?)

Omniscient Point of View Disembodied narrator Disembodied narrator Uses he, she, they, etc. Uses he, she, they, etc. Is able to show the thoughts and feelings of every character Is able to show the thoughts and feelings of every character We know what each character is thinking! We know what each character is thinking!

The story is told in the third person, and the narrator is aware of all information there is to know about the story’s events, characters, setting, and more. For instance: Jill was scared to admit that she liked Jack, but little did she know, he liked her too. In fact, as she spent her days trying to think up creative ways to avoid him, Jack was planning out creative ways to ask her to the school dance.

Third Person Limited can only convey the thoughts and feelings of one specific character. sometimes the narrator doesn’t even convey these facts at all, and sticks with describing the character’s external behaviors rather than the character’s internal feelings. leaves a lot of room for reader interpretation, where a character’s personality is presented as something of a mystery. creates a sense of drama, because the reader is kept in the dark about the same things the protagonist is. With third person limited, the writer can create twists and revelations! Jill was scared to admit she liked Jack, and feared his reaction more than anything. She spent her days avoiding him, too embarrassed to even speak with him. What if he hated her?

First Person Point of View Told from the viewpoint of a character using “I”. Told from the viewpoint of a character using “I”. “Remembering – and this time it didn’t hurt – a quiet, defeated looking, sixteen year old whose hair needed cutting badly and who had a frightened expression to them. And I decided I could tell people.” “Remembering – and this time it didn’t hurt – a quiet, defeated looking, sixteen year old whose hair needed cutting badly and who had a frightened expression to them. And I decided I could tell people.” The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

Symbolism A symbol represents an idea, quality, or concept larger than itself. A symbol represents an idea, quality, or concept larger than itself. –A lion can symbolize courage. –A red rose can symbolize love. –A journey can symbolize life.

Tone The manner in which written words might be said The manner in which written words might be said –Witty, sarcastic, depressing

Character Traits Personality traits – how a character ACTS Personality traits – how a character ACTS These refer to actions, not physical appearance These refer to actions, not physical appearance