Narrative Story Terms

What is a narrative text? Narrative text is writing that tells a story. It can be a made-up story (fiction) or one that is based on real events. To narrate is the verb used to describe the act of telling a story, so a narrative is the story and the narrator is the person telling the story.

Elements of Narrative Text Plot - exposition statement - rising action - conflict - climax - falling action - resolution Theme Setting Characters Point of view Characterization Dialogue

Character Character – a person in a story, poem or play. Types of Characters: Round- fully developed, has many different character traits Flat- stereotyped, one-dimensional, few traits Static – Does not change Dynamic – Changes as a result of the story's events

Characterization How the author develops the characters, especially the main character. This is done through: what the character does or says what others say of and to the character author’s word choice in descriptive passages

Characterization Direct characterization Indirect characterization The author directly states what the character’s personality is like. Example: cruel, kind Indirect characterization Showing a character’s personality through his/her actions, thoughts, feelings, words, appearance or other character’s observations or reactions

Protagonist Main character of the story that changes (death is not a change) the most important character changes and grows because of experiences in the story

Antagonist A major character who opposes the protagonist the antagonist does not change Types of antagonists: people nature society

SECONDARY CHARACTERS Other characters who are necessary to moving the plot along, but may not be involved with the central conflict

What is the Plot? Plot: Series of related events that make up a story.

Plot Components Exposition (Introduction): The start of the story, the situation before the action starts Rising Action: The series of conflicts and crisis in the story that lead to the climax Climax / Turning Point: The most intense moment – either mentally or in action – the reader wonders what will happen next; will the conflict be resolved or not? Falling Action: The events and complications begin to resolve themselves. (The events between the climax and the resolution) Resolution: The conclusion, the untangling of events in the story

The rest of the story is based on this information Exposition The part of the plot that tells how the story begins. You learn…. Characters Setting Conflict (problem) Background information The rest of the story is based on this information

Setting The time and place of the story’s action

Setting The setting is the place where the story takes place. Setting includes the following: The geographical location For example: London, Cairo, Halifax, Vancouver The time period For example: 1865, during WWII, today The socio-economic characteristics of the location For example: wealthy suburbs The specific building, room etc. For example: a prep school, a log cabin, a bus, a military base

Setting It helps build background and create images in the mind. Details can describe: Time of day Time of year Scenery Weather Location It helps build background and create images in the mind. It helps set the tone or mood of the story. Walsh Publishing Co. 2009

Rising Action Consists of a series of complications. These occur when the main characters take action to resolve their problems and are met with further problems: Fear Hostility Threatening situation

Climax The turning point in the story: the high point of interest and suspense Climax Rising Action or Complications Falling Action

Falling Action All events following the climax or turning point in the story. These events are a result of the action taken at the climax.

Resolution The end of the central conflict: it shows how the situation turns out and ties up loose ends

Plot: Conflict Conflict is the dramatic struggle between two forces in a story. Without conflict there is no plot.

Plot: Types of Conflict External Conflict Human vs. Human Human vs. Nature Human vs. Society Human vs. technology, progress Human vs. Supernatural Internal Conflict Human vs. Self

Point of View Vantage point from which the writer tells the story. First person- One of the characters is actually telling the story using the pronoun “I” Third person- Centers on one character’s thoughts and actions. Omniscient- All knowing narrator. Can center on the thoughts and actions of any and all characters.

THEME The central idea about life that the story highlights; THE MAIN IDEA (universal truths). The message the author is conveying. Determine the specific conflict Decide what side of the conflict the story represents How is the conflict resolved? Who wins? Who loses?

THEME Theme is NOT the moral of the story Theme is NOT plot Theme IS the general subject matter of a work of art Theme may contain a message