1. UGRC 160 – Introduction to Literature
SESSION 2

2. Introduction to Prose (Short-Fiction) – Part 1

3. Session Objectives At the end of the session, the student will
Understand what Prose writing or Prose Narrative is.
Be able to explain how distinct Prose Writing is from the other genres.
Be able to identify, explain and interpret each element in the discussion of Prose Narrative.
Be able to apply his/her understanding of the elements of Prose in discussing Pearl Rowe’s short story “Cookies At Midnight.” (Particular focus on Plot, Character, Setting and Point of View)

4. Elements of Fiction/Prose
Plot
Character
Setting
Point of View
Theme
Style

5. PLOT
The plot usually refers to the sequence of events and happenings that make up a story. There is usually a pattern, unintended or intentional, that threads the plot together. The sequence/order/patterning of events in a story (how the story unfolds) Does this mean every story starts AT THE BEGINNING and ends at the END?

6. DRAMATIC STRUCTURE DEVELOPED BY GUSTAVE FREYTAG
CLIMAX
DRAMATIC STRUCTURE DEVELOPED BY GUSTAVE FREYTAG
RISING ACTION
FALLING ACTION
EXPOSITION
DENOUEMENT

7. Character/Characterization
Characterization in literature refers to a step-by-step process wherein a character of a story is brought to notice and then detailed upon in front of the reader. Characterization is a sort of initiation wherein the reader is introduced to the character.

8. A character is imbued with thoughts, roles or attitudes that enable readers to form a perception about the character. The development of characters is often crucial to the unravelling of the plot.

9. Setting
In literature, the word ‘setting’ is used to identify and establish the time, place and mood of the events of the story. It basically helps in establishing where and when and under what circumstances the story is taking place

10. An automobile accident occurs. Two drivers are involved
An automobile accident occurs . Two drivers are involved. Witnesses include four sidewalk spectators, a policeman, a man with a video-camera who happened to be shooting the scene, and a pilot of a helicopter that was flying overhead. Here we have nine different points of view, and most likely, nine different descriptions of the accident.
1. Whose account of the accident could/would be considered as “authentic?”
2. Could we have a purely Objective interpretation of how the accident happened?

11. In Short Fiction, who tells the story and how it is told are critical issues for an author to decide. The tone and feel of the story, and even its meaning, can change radically depending on who is telling the story.
Someone is always between the reader and the action of the story. That someone is telling the story from his or her own point of view. This angle of vision, the point of view from which the people, events, and details are viewed, is important to consider when reading the story. This idea of WHO is telling the story in a narrative leads us to a discussion of POINT OF VIEW.

12. Point of View
In literature, the ‘point of view’ is a literary device that depicts the manner in which a story is narrated/ depicted and who it is that tells the story. Simply put, the point of view determines the angle and perception of the story unfolding, and thus influences the tone in which the story takes place.

13. The point of view is instrumental in manipulating the reader’s understanding of the narrative. In a way, the point of view can allow or withhold the reader access into the greater reaches of the story.
First person narration
Second Person narration
Third Person (Omniscient narration)

14. COOKIES AT MIDNIGHT

15. COOKIES AT MIDNIGHT Who wrote the Story? What is the story about?
What happens in the story?
Who are the characters in the story?
Is there a main character in this story? Who is it? Why?
Does the story start at the beginning and end at the end?
What would you say is the Climax of the story? (Which event in the plot structure)
Why does the writer choose a child narrator? Do you think there is any particular reason for this?