Elements of Narrative 7ELAB

The Plot Pyramid Exposition – Introduction of characters, setting, and theme. Rising Action – A series of escalating conflicts Climax – The most dramatic conflict that changes the course of the narrative Falling Action – A series of resolutions to the conflict Resolution – How the story ends after an attempt at a resolution

Exposition in The Outsiders

Exposition in The Outsiders

Discussion Questions Characters: Setting: What type of narrative techniques did S. E. Hinton use to introduce the greasers in The Outsiders? What details did Hinton mention to provide indirect characterization of Ponyboy? Setting: What narrative techniques did S. E. Hinton use to introduce the setting of The Outsiders? What elements of the setting did Hinton include in the opening pages? Why do you think she chose these?

Symbol and Dialogue in The Outsiders

Symbol and Dialogue in The Outsiders

Discussion Questions Dialogue: Symbol: How does Hinton signal to the reader when a character is speaking? Does how a character speaks say something about them? Symbol: What does the symbol of the greasy hair stand for? How does the symbol of the hair affect other people?

Rising Action in The Outsiders

Rising Action in The Outsiders

Discussion Questions Conflicts: Foreshadow: How does the main conflict between greasers and Socs escalate in the pages presented in the previous slides? Foreshadow: What events does the passage foreshadow? How does the symbol of hair come up again?

Climax in The Outsiders

Climax in The Outsiders

Discussion Questions Language: Symbol: What examples of descriptive phrases and “alive” words did Hinton use to create suspense and drama in this scene? How does the dialogue contribute to the anxiety the characters feel in this scene? Symbol: How does the symbol of the hair reappear in the climax?

Falling Action/Resolution in The Outsiders

Falling Action/Resolution in The Outsiders

Discussion Questions Conflicts: Symbol: How does the action in this scene provide a type of resolution to the climax? How does the resolution change the characters or theme? Symbol: How does the symbol of the hair resolve in the climax?

Elements of Narrative Glossary Antagonist - the person who actively opposes or is hostile to the protagonist Climax - the particular point in a narrative at which the conflict or tension hits the highest point Dialogue - a literary technique in which two or more characters are engaged in conversation with each other Direct Characterization - when the author specifically reveals traits about the character in a straightforward manner Exposition - a literary device used to introduce background information about events, settings, characters in a story External Conflict - a struggle between a character and an outside force such as nature or another character Figurative Language - language that infers a connotative meaning Foreshadow - an advance hint of what is to come later in the story Genre - a category of artistic composition characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter Indirect Characterization - the process where a writer shows the character's personality through speech, actions and appearance Internal Conflict - a psychological struggle within the mind of a literary character Narrative - a spoken or written account of connected events; a story

Elements of Narrative Glossary Setting - the time and place in which the story takes place in a piece of literature Symbol - a literary device that contains several layers of meaning that are often concealed at first sight Theme - the main idea or an underlying meaning of a literary work that may be stated directly or indirectly Tone - the general character or attitude of a place, piece of writing, situation, etc. Plot - the main events of a story devised and presented by the writer as an interrelated sequence Point of View - the mode of narration that an author employs to let the readers “hear” and “see” what takes place in a story Protagonist - the main character in a piece of literature Resolution - the part of the story's plot line in which the problem of the story is resolved or worked out Rising Action - a series of relevant incidents that create suspense, interest and tension in a narrative Sensory Details - bits of information which describe the five senses