Literary Story Elements What parts make up a story? http://members.tripod.com/dscorpio/images/literary_elements.ppt

Story Elements Setting Characters Plot Conflict Theme

Setting time, place, and atmosphere Details that describe setting: Furniture Scenery Customs Transportation Clothing Dialects Weather Time of day Time of year Mood/Feelings

The Functions of a Setting We left the home place behind, mile by slow mile, heading for the mountains, across the prairie where the wind blew forever. At first there were four of us with one horse wagon and its skimpy load. Pa and I walked, because I was a big boy of eleven. My two little sisters romped and trotted until they got tired and had to be boosted up to the wagon bed. That was no covered Conestoga, like Pa’s folks came West in, but just an old farm wagon, drawn by one weary horse, creaking and rumbling westward to the mountains, toward the little woods town where Pa thought he had an old uncle who owned a little two-bit sawmill. To create a mood or atmosphere To show a reader a different way of life To make action seem more real To be the source of conflict or struggle To symbolize an idea Taken from “The Day the Sun Came Out” by D. Johnson

Types of Characters Protagonist – good guy Antagonist – bad guy or force Dynamic (Round)- described in depth, with many details, often changes internally Static (Flat)- does not undergo any internal changes.

Characterization A writer reveals what a character is like and how the character changes throughout the story. Two primary methods of characterization: Direct- writer tells what the character is like Indirect- writer shows what a character is like by describing what the character looks like, by telling what the character says and does, and by what other characters say about and do in response to the character. We have to infer what they are like according to all the clues.

Direct Characterization Example Writer tells us what the character looks like, personality, background, motivation, relationships, and conflict in life. Direct Characterization Example …And I don’t play the dozens or believe in standing around with somebody in my face doing a lot of talking. I much rather just knock you down and take my chances even if I’m a little girl with skinny arms and a squeaky voice, which is how I got the name Squeaky. From “Raymond’s Run” by T. Bambara

Indirect Characterization Example We have to use clues to infer “what we know” about the character. Indirect Characterization Example The old man bowed to all of us in the room. Then he removed his hat and gloves, slowly and carefully. Chaplin once did that in a picture, in a bank--he was the janitor. From “Gentleman of Rio en Medio” by J. Sedillo

Character Motivation – driving force behind why the character does what he/she does

Plot Plot is what happens and how it happens in a narrative. A narrative is any work that tells a story, such as a short story, a novel, a drama, or a narrative poem.

Parts of a Plot Exposition – beginning that introduces conflict, characters, and setting Inciting incident – event that gives rise to conflict (opening situation) Rising Action- events before the climax Climax- highest point of interest or suspense of story Falling Action- action and events that occur after the climax Resolution- when conflict ends Denouement- when characters go back to their life before the conflict

Plot Diagram Climax Falling Action Rising Action Resolution Exposition Inciting Incident: Characters: Setting: Conflict: Denouement: Theme:

Special Techniques of Plot Suspense- excitement or tension Foreshadowing- hint or clue about what will happen in story Flashback- interrupts the normal sequence of events to tell about something that happened in the past Surprise Ending- conclusion that reader does not expect

Conflict Conflict is a struggle between opposing forces Every plot must contain some kind of conflict Stories can have more than one conflict Conflicts can be external or internal

Internal and External Conflict Character vs Character Character vs Nature Character vs Society Character vs Nonhuman Obstacle (technology, etc.) Internal conflict- (takes place in a character’s mind) Character vs Self

Theme A central message, concern, or insight into life (life lesson) 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 Interpretation uncovers the theme

Example of Themes Selfishness leads to unhappiness. Real friends don't go away when times are tough. Treat people with kindness.

Choose the best theme. a. It takes a lot of practice to play the piano. b. Kara practiced a lot and did well. c. Persistence pays off. 2. a. You should never swim without a lifeguard. b. If you can't swim, don't go to the lake. c. Speak up and tell the truth, even if it is hard.