Story Elements Some basics that every good movie / story / book must have ….

The Setting What is the Setting? Time Place / Location Climate/Weather Immediate Circumstances What is the use of the Setting? Create a mood Be the source of conflict or struggle Symbolize an idea Make action seem more real

Characterization Two primary methods of characterization: Two primary methods of characterization: Direct- tells what the character is like: Example: He’s just a fat kid eating cake ! Indirect- shows what a character is like by *describing how the character looks, *describing how the character looks, *telling what the character says and does, *telling what the character says and does, *telling what other characters say about *telling what other characters say about and do in response to the character. and do in response to the character. Example: Tony fat face and tight shirt ask his mother for another piece of cake!

The protagonist is the “good guy”

The Antagonist is the “bad guy” or negative force

Static vs. Dynamic Characters Static character DO NOT change in the course of the story. Dynamic characters change and evolve in the course of the story. (Often “good guys” will become better because they have learned valuable moral lessons. “Bad guys” will become even worse for having been beaten and/or humiliated by the protagonist.)

Plot  Plot is the organized pattern or sequence of events that make up a story. Every plot is made up of a series of incidents that are related to one another.

Plot is like a rollercoaster ride climax exposition dénouement/ resolution

PARTS OF PLOT  Exposition – Learn about characters and setting, possible hint of conflict  Rising Action - This part of the story begins to develop the conflict(s). A building of interest or suspense occurs. Conflict is made clear in rising action.  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.  Falling Action - All loose ends of the plot are tied up. The conflict(s) and climax are taken care of.  Resolution/Denouement - The story comes to a reasonable ending. Characters return to life without conflict…

Conflict  Conflict is a struggle between opposing forces  Every plot must contain some kind of conflict. Without conflict, there is no plot.  Stories can have more than one conflict  Conflicts can be external or internal External conflict- outside force may be person, group, animal, nature, or a nonhuman obstacle External conflict- outside force may be person, group, animal, nature, or a nonhuman obstacle Internal conflict- takes place in a character’s mind Internal conflict- takes place in a character’s mind

Types of Conflict Character vs Character Character vs Nature Character vs Society Character vs Self

This type of conflict finds the main character in conflict with another character, human or not human. Character vs. Character Conflict One character must battle another character to gain power, true love, freedom, justice or acceptance One group of characters must free themselves from another One character must confront another to survive

Character vs. Nature Conflict This type of conflict finds the main character in conflict with the forces of nature, which serve as the antagonist. One or more characters are lost in the wilderness (loss of food, shelter, warmth, etc.) One or more characters must face a natural disaster or aid those facing a disaster One or more characters are threatened by predators in nature

Character vs. Society Conflict This type of conflict has the main character in conflict with a larger group: a community, society, culture, etc. Character trapped by circumstances of birth Character falsely accused by society Character feels apart from society and discovers own values

Character vs. Self Conflict In this type of conflict, the main character experiences some kind of inner conflict. Character finds inner strength despite poor odds Character must develop moral compass Character must discover self-worth

A reminder about what happened in the past is called flashback.

Point of View (Story) Author’s choice of narrator for a story A story can be told in many different ways *1 st Person Point of View *2 nd Person Point of View *3 rd Person Limited Point of View *3 rd Person Omniscient Point of View

(Story) First Person Point of View In first-person point of view, the narrator is a character in the story. The narrator, or the one telling the story, may or may not be reliable in first person narratives because the narrator is a character within the story and is likely not entirely objective.

(Story) Second Person Point of View (EXTREMELY RARE) Second-person point of view directly addresses the audience with the use of the pronoun “you.” Second-person point of view pulls us into the story by making us one of its characters.

(Story) Third Person Limited Point of View  The narrator is not involved in the story. The narrator can watch the characters in the story and may know the feelings, thoughts, beliefs of a character or two, but not all characters. The narrator’s view is LIMITED; he/she cannot see everything and must make inferences about some.

Third Person Omniscient Point of View (story)  The narrator is “all knowing” and “all seeing.”  The narrator knows everything that all the characters are thinking, feeling, and believing.  To be honest, this type of story doesn’t leave much to chance so it can be rather boring.

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  May be stated directly or implied

Sample Theme Topics Teamwork Discrimination Pride Trust Resourcefulness Challenges Ethical dilemmas Nature Leadership Euthanasia Commitment Diversity Freedom Guilt Love Convictions Heroes Community Social change Loss Patriotism Communication Evil Family Friendship Loyalty Power Acceptance Hope Friendship Customs Loneliness Values Money Death War Choices Prejudice Denial Poverty (This is not an all- inclusive list.)