1. Literary Elements/ Story Grammar
basic pieces of information that need to be considered and developed by the author
and
Story Grammar
a way to organize information about a story
Copy any notes that are not on the note-sheet handout in the bottom ½ of your split notebook. The note-sheet should be placed behind the “blue” Reading separator.

2. Story Characteristics
Introduction
Plot
Resolution
Point of View
Figurative Language

3. Introduction: draws reader into story
Setting
when and where a story takes place
time and place
Provides:
background info.
character’s motives
hardships/ opportunities that allow the character to grow
What is the setting of Robin Hood?
Methods of Characterization
What s/he says, does, and thinks?
What s/he looks like?
How other characters interact with him/her?
What author/narrator directly states about him/her?
Sherwood Forest

4. Characters: people, animals, and imaginary creatures who take part in the action
main character vs minor character events centered around vs interact with main character
these characters
round character vs flat character
has weaknesses/strengths vs simple,
and full range of emotions one or two emotions
dynamic character vs static character
changes, grows, learns a lesson vs does not change
protagonist vs antagonist
main character, good guy, vs. bad guy/villain, may cause problems
hero/heroine sometimes there is not one

5. Supporting characters
Protagonist:
good guy, hero/heroine, main character
Antagonist
bad guy/villain, sometimes causes problems; sometimes not present
Supporting characters
minor characters that interact in the story
Foil
person who hangs around main character (sidekick or friend), presents opposing view point or just adds humor

6. Plot: arrangement of incidents or events in a story leading to a conflict resolution of some kind

7. Exposition
This is the beginning of the story shares the main character, setting, and beginning action events. A reader should be able to get a quick picture of what the story will be like. Minor characters and the inciting force may also be introduced at this time, but not always.
Inciting Force: the big conflict/ climax of the story; usually established between characters

8. Rising Action the plot “thickens”
built around suspense: a feeling of uncertainty or anxiety
conflict between characters develops and becomes more pronounced
conflict: opposing forces coming together
External Conflict vs Internal Conflict
character vs. outside force vs character vs. self
1) P vs. nature ) P vs. person
3) P vs. society ) P vs. object

9. happens after the climax What are characters doing after climax?
moment of greatest suspense
turning point of the story
M. character makes major decisions, takes action, and changes
story can end here
Falling Action
happens after the climax
What are characters doing after climax?
What happens after climax to help solve the problem?

10. (may need to be inferred or could be directly told to reader)
3. Resolution
end of the story
What happens to characters at end of story?
What happens in story after conflict is solved?
Theme
(may need to be inferred or could be directly told to reader)
Theme Phrase: not one word
Coming of age - Can’t run from the past
Value Life - Don’t go to extremes
Theme Statement: author’s message or opinion trying to be communicated to the reader

11. 4. Point of View: method or style of narration; Who is telling the story, and how much do they know?
1st Person
Narrator is a character in the story
“I, my, me, ours, us, we”- refers to self
narrator knows thoughts and feelings of self
may speak directly to the reader

12. 3rd Person: narrator does not participate in the action of the story; does not refer to self
Limited
narrator knows thoughts and feelings of one character
allows the reader to maintain emotional distance from character
Omniscient
narrator knows thoughts and feelings of several (all) characters
allows reader to gain insight into several characters

13. 5. Figurative Language writing/speech that is not meant to be taken literally
Irony
some sort of discrepancy between what is expected and what actually happens
Verbal irony - the opposite is said from what is really intended (sarcasm)
Example - "Wasn't that a smart move!!"
Dramatic irony - a contrast between what a character says and what the reader knows to be true
Situational/Climactic irony – the opposite is done of what is expected

14. Tone Mood the attitude a writer has towards the subject
word choice may suggest tone
Mood
the state of mind of the story
general feeling created within a story
fear
hope
joy

15. Flashback Foreshadowing hints/ clues to indicate upcoming events
used to build suspense
Flashback
a scene inserted into the story usually one that has already happened

16. Pacing the rhythm of the novel, chapters, and scenes
Through how the paragraphs and sentences are written
the rate at which novel events occur and unfold
using specific word choices and sentence structure to elicit the emotions of the reader
the reader feels what the writer wants the reader to feel

17. Symbol/ ism
something that stands for something else
Example: a conch shell representing authority
Parable
a short allegorical story designed to teach some lesson, moral, or truth
Copy any notes that are not on the note-sheet handout in the bottom ½ of your split notebook. The note-sheet should be placed behind the “blue” Reading separator.