Story And Narrative

Basic Elements of Fiction What every story needs to have… Plot - The sequence of events in the story.

Basic Elements of Fiction, continued Character - A person, animal, object, or imaginary creature that takes part in the action of a story. Theme – The message the author is trying to send the reader. Mood – The feeling that is created in piece of literature.

Basic Elements of Fiction, continued Setting- The time and place the story occurs. Sometimes directly stated, sometimes you figure it out. Point of View – Perspective from which the story is told. Conflict – The problems in the story. Man vs. Man Man vs. Nature Man vs. Self Man vs. Society

History Oral traditions are the passing of songs, stories, and poems from generation to generation by word of mouth. Folk songs, folk tales, legends and myths all come from oral traditions.

Definition: Story A story is a work of fiction presenting a sequence of events that usually communicates a message about life or human nature. The short story is made up of 7 elements: Plot Character 3. Theme 4. Point of view 5. Setting 6. Mood 7. Conflict

Point of View Point of view is the vantage point from which a story is told. Point of view lets the writer give insights into characters and also influences what the reader knows about the plot.

Three Perspectives There are 3 commonly used point of view perspectives: 1. 1st Person: the narrator is a character in the story and refers to him/herself as “I” 2. 3rd Person Omniscient: the narrator knows and tells about what several characters feel and think during the story

Perspectives, continued 3rd Person Limited: the narrator is not a part of the story. The narrator relates the inner thoughts and feelings of one character 4. 2nd Person: the understood “you” We DO NOT want you to use this in your writing. **Once a vantage point is chosen, it must remain the same for the chosen characters throughout the story

“Zoo” By Edward D. Hoch

Character A person, animal or being who takes part in a literary work. Major Characters-The most important characters in the work Two types of major characters: Protagonist- the most important character involved in the action of a story Antagonist- the character, or force, in conflict with the protagonist Minor characters take place in the action, but are not the focus

Developing Characters Characters can be developed in a story as either static or dynamic, flat or round Dynamic: this character is more ‘real’-life-like, and changes during the development of the story Static: this character does not change during the story Flat: One-sided or stereotyped Round: Fully developed with many traits

Revealing Characters Authors reveal characters in different ways: Direct: The Author tells you DIRECTLY what the character is like. Indirect: You figure out what a character is like based on clues from the author.

Revealing Characters, continued Characterization techniques: 1. Actions of the character EX: SUE HELD GRANNY’S ARM AS THEY CROSSED THE STREET. 2. Dialogue-What is said and how it is said (tone & dialect) 3. Physical description EX: “ RED-HEAD WITH FRECKLES”

Revealing characters, continued 3. Reactions of others EX: THEY BOWED WHEN HE ENTERED THE ROOM. 4. Character’s thoughts EX: BOB DECIDED TO LIE ABOUT THE BROKEN VASE

“Broken Chain” By Gary Soto

Plot Plot is the sequence of events in a literary work.

Plot, continued Most plots have 5 parts: Exposition: the beginning that introduces setting, characters, and the basic situation (include the inciting incident) 2. Rising Action: introduces the central conflict and then increases the development until it reaches a climax

Plot, continued Climax: the highest point of the suspense or interest where the action peaks Falling Action: moves events towards a conclusion 5. Resolution: ending; gives information or hints on any unanswered questions

Plot, continued Inciting Incident -The event that gets the conflict, and rising action, started. Theme – The message that the author want us to learn from the story. Irony – When the opposite of what the reader expects to occur – occurs Symbolism-symbolic meaning attributed to natural objects or facts

PLOT, continued 5. Foreshadowing -a clue or warning or of a future event left by the author 6. Flashback -  a transition in a story to an earlier time, that interrupts the normal chronological order of events.

Conflict Two types of conflict: Define: the struggle between opposing forces or sides. Two types of conflict: External-conflict between one person and another or a person and a force of nature Ex: Character vs. Character Character vs. Nature Character vs. Society

Conflict, continued Internal Conflict: Opposing feelings or ideas within a person Ex. Character vs. Self

“The Ransom of Red Chief” By O’Henry

Theme Theme is the central message in a literary work. This is the main idea that the writer communicates. ***The theme is not a summary of the plot!

Setting The setting of a story is the time and place of the action. Setting creates mood. Mood-Feeling created through images, dialogue, setting and plot

Time Time is not only the historical period (past, present or future), but also the year, month, date, season, time of day, or weather.

Place Place is the specific country, state, region, neighborhood, building, or home. Details, such as dialect, clothing, ways of transportation and customs, are often used to establish a sense of setting through place.

Environment Weather Noise level Social conditions Economic status Population

“To Build a Fire” By Jack London

Theme, continued Most themes are not directly stated, but implied. When a theme is implied, the reader must figure out what the writer’s message is about people and life.

Theme, continued To figure out a theme, use events or actions from the plot to support your idea of what the theme may be. *ASK YOURSELF: What lessons did the characters learn? What lessons did I learn from the events of the story?