Structure ELA CC5RL5 Explain how a series of chapters, scenes, or stanzas fits together to provide the overall structure of a particular story, drama, or poem.

What is structure? Structure of literature (poems, novels, dramas) is how a piece of work is organized and presented to the reader.

Poems have stanzas Poems are written in lines (which are like sentences). Lines are words in one row of a poem. A group of lines is called a stanza (just like a group of sentences make up a paragraph). A poem expresses feelings and ideas or tells stories using rhythm and imagery. The author of a poem is called a poet. The narrator of a poem is called a speaker.

Take a look at a poem’s structure “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” By Robert Frost (Stanza 1, 4 lines) Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village though; He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow. (Stanza 2, 4 lines) My little horse must think it queer To stop without a farmhouse near Between the woods and frozen lake The darkest evening of the year. (Stanza 3, 4 lines) He gives his harness bells a shake To ask if there is some mistake. The only other sound's the sweep Of easy wind and downy flake. (Stanza 4, 4 lines) The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep. And miles to go before I sleep.

How many stanzas and lines in each? Let’s count! “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” By Robert Frost Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village though; He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow. My little horse must think it queer To stop without a farmhouse near Between the woods and frozen lake The darkest evening of the year. He gives his harness bells a shake To ask if there is some mistake. The only other sound's the sweep Of easy wind and downy flake. The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep. And miles to go before I sleep. 

Stories have chapters How many chapters are in Holes by Lois Sachar? Let’s find out in our novels!

Dramas have acts and scenes A drama is a play. It is a piece of literary writing meant to be performed by actors. Scenes make up an act . Most plays begin with a cast of characters. This is a list of the different parts in a play. When you read a play, you’ll see that the name of a character comes before the words that the character says. Many plays have stage directions written in italics or in (paranthesis) which are not to be spoken aloud. They explain what the character is doing, where they are, and how to say their lines.

Look at page 36 at the Drama: “Heave, Ho!” Locate: The cast of characters An example of a stage direction The number of acts The number of scenes in each act.