Sounder Plot, Setting, Connections, and Characterization

PLOT Plot is a literary term used to describe the events that make up a story or the main part of a story. Plot is a literary term used to describe the events that make up a story or the main part of a story. There are five main elements in a plot. There are five main elements in a plot. The first is the exposition or the introduction. The first is the exposition or the introduction. The second element of a plot is known as the rising action which occurs when a series of events build up to the conflict. The second element of a plot is known as the rising action which occurs when a series of events build up to the conflict. The third element of a plot is known as the climax or the main point of the plot. This is the turning point of the story and is meant to be the moment of highest interest and emotion. The third element of a plot is known as the climax or the main point of the plot. This is the turning point of the story and is meant to be the moment of highest interest and emotion.

PLOT cont. The 5 elements in a plot cont. The 5 elements in a plot cont. The fourth element of a plot is known as falling action or the winding up of the story. The last element of a plot is the resolution or the conclusion. It is the end of a story and ends with either a happy or a tragic ending.

Plot Diagram

Setting In literature, the word ‘setting’ is used to identify and establish the time, place and mood of the events in the story. It basically helps in establishing where and when and under what circumstances the story is taking place. In literature, the word ‘setting’ is used to identify and establish the time, place and mood of the events in the story. It basically helps in establishing where and when and under what circumstances the story is taking place. When you are asked for the setting of a story, you should use descriptive words to help create a visual image. You would also discuss the time period in which the story occurs. When you are asked for the setting of a story, you should use descriptive words to help create a visual image. You would also discuss the time period in which the story occurs.

Setting Example In the first installment of the Harry Potter series, a large part of the book takes place at the protagonist, Harry’s, aunt’s and uncle’s place, living in the “muggle” (non-magical) world with the “muggle” folks, and Harry is unaware of his magical capabilities and blood. This setting establishes the background that Harry has a non-magical childhood with other “muggle” people and has no clue about his special powers or his parents and is raised much like, actually worse than, regular people, till his 11th birthday. In the first installment of the Harry Potter series, a large part of the book takes place at the protagonist, Harry’s, aunt’s and uncle’s place, living in the “muggle” (non-magical) world with the “muggle” folks, and Harry is unaware of his magical capabilities and blood. This setting establishes the background that Harry has a non-magical childhood with other “muggle” people and has no clue about his special powers or his parents and is raised much like, actually worse than, regular people, till his 11th birthday.

Connections Students will make literary connections in 3 ways. Students will make literary connections in 3 ways. #1 text-to-textYou will connect an event in the story to another story you have read. #1 text-to-textYou will connect an event in the story to another story you have read. #2 text-to-selfYou will connect an event in the story to something that has happened in your life. #2 text-to-selfYou will connect an event in the story to something that has happened in your life. #3 text-to-worldYou will connect an event in the story to something that you have seen or heard about, but it did NOT happen to you. #3 text-to-worldYou will connect an event in the story to something that you have seen or heard about, but it did NOT happen to you.

Examples of Connections #1 text-to-text When reading The Watsons Go to Birmingham, a student may relate events in the story to an article (s)he read in Social Studies about the Civil Rights Movement. #1 text-to-text When reading The Watsons Go to Birmingham, a student may relate events in the story to an article (s)he read in Social Studies about the Civil Rights Movement. #2 text-to-self When reading Charlotte’s Web, a student may relate Wilbur to a pig on a farm the student has visited. #2 text-to-self When reading Charlotte’s Web, a student may relate Wilbur to a pig on a farm the student has visited. #3 text-to-world When reading Hoot, a student may relate the story to a tv show about owls. #3 text-to-world When reading Hoot, a student may relate the story to a tv show about owls.

Characterization Characterization in literature refers to the step by step process wherein an author introduces and then describes a character. The character can be described directly by the author or indirectly through the actions, thoughts, and speech of the character. Characterization in literature refers to the step by step process wherein an author introduces and then describes a character. The character can be described directly by the author or indirectly through the actions, thoughts, and speech of the character. There are 2 types of Characterization. They are direct and indirect characterization. There are 2 types of Characterization. They are direct and indirect characterization.

Direct Characterization Direct characterization consists of the author telling the audience what a character is like. A narrator may give this information, or another character in the story may do it. Direct characterization consists of the author telling the audience what a character is like. A narrator may give this information, or another character in the story may do it. Example: Example: “Bill was short and fat, and his bald spot was widening with every passing year.” “Bill was short and fat, and his bald spot was widening with every passing year.”

Indirect Characterization Indirect characterization consists of the author showing the audience what kind of person a character is through the character’s thoughts, words, and deeds. This requires the audience to make inferences about why a character would say or do those things. Indirect characterization consists of the author showing the audience what kind of person a character is through the character’s thoughts, words, and deeds. This requires the audience to make inferences about why a character would say or do those things. Example: Example: “Bill sighed as he looked at the offer of a gym membership. He really should join. But just thinking about it made beads of sweat collect at the top of his bald spot.” “Bill sighed as he looked at the offer of a gym membership. He really should join. But just thinking about it made beads of sweat collect at the top of his bald spot.”