Story Elements English 11 Review Ms Cross

Elements of a Story Setting: Find the time period, place, and location of the story by using supporting details from the story. Setting: Find the time period, place, and location of the story by using supporting details from the story. Point of View: Point of View: 1 st person (Only one character describes the events) 1 st person (Only one character describes the events) Omniscient/3 rd person (a narrator is telling the story) Omniscient/3 rd person (a narrator is telling the story) Stream of Conscious (told through one character’s thoughs) Stream of Conscious (told through one character’s thoughs) Innocent Eye (a child is telling the story) Innocent Eye (a child is telling the story) Conflict: Man vs. Man, Man vs. Society, Man vs. Him/Her self. The conflict usually refers to the main character; however the story itself could contain a different kind of conflict. Conflict: Man vs. Man, Man vs. Society, Man vs. Him/Her self. The conflict usually refers to the main character; however the story itself could contain a different kind of conflict. Mood: The general sense or feeling which the reader is supposed to get from the text; it does not refer to the author’s or characters’ state of mind. Mood: The general sense or feeling which the reader is supposed to get from the text; it does not refer to the author’s or characters’ state of mind. Tone: The emotional state, or “attitude,” of the speaker /narrator/narrative voice. Tone refers only to the narrative voice; not to the author or characters. Tone: The emotional state, or “attitude,” of the speaker /narrator/narrative voice. Tone refers only to the narrative voice; not to the author or characters.

Symbolism The use of specific objects or images to represent abstract ideas. This term is commonly misused, describing any and all representational relationships, which in fact are more often metaphorical than symbolic. The use of specific objects or images to represent abstract ideas. This term is commonly misused, describing any and all representational relationships, which in fact are more often metaphorical than symbolic. A symbol must be something tangible or visible, while the idea it symbolizes must be something abstract or universal. (In other words, a symbol must be something you can hold in your hand or draw a picture of, while the idea it symbolizes must be something you can’t hold in your hand or draw a picture of.) A symbol must be something tangible or visible, while the idea it symbolizes must be something abstract or universal. (In other words, a symbol must be something you can hold in your hand or draw a picture of, while the idea it symbolizes must be something you can’t hold in your hand or draw a picture of.) Example from “The Stolen Party”: The money (the object) that Rosaura is given at the end of the story represents her social status (conception) and how she is seen by Seniora Ines. Example from “The Stolen Party”: The money (the object) that Rosaura is given at the end of the story represents her social status (conception) and how she is seen by Seniora Ines.

Foreshadowing Where future events in a story, or perhaps the outcome, are suggested by the author before they happen. Foreshadowing can take many forms and be accomplished in many ways, with varying degrees of subtlety. Where future events in a story, or perhaps the outcome, are suggested by the author before they happen. Foreshadowing can take many forms and be accomplished in many ways, with varying degrees of subtlety. However, if the outcome is deliberately and explicitly revealed early in a story (such as by the use of a narrator or flashback structure), such information does not constitute foreshadowing. However, if the outcome is deliberately and explicitly revealed early in a story (such as by the use of a narrator or flashback structure), such information does not constitute foreshadowing. Example from “The Stolen Party”: When Rosaura was asked to serve the drinks/cake to the other party members foreshadows that she is seen as the ‘maid’ of the party by Seniora Ines. Example from “The Stolen Party”: When Rosaura was asked to serve the drinks/cake to the other party members foreshadows that she is seen as the ‘maid’ of the party by Seniora Ines.

Irony…always a tricky thing Irony (a.k.a. Situational irony): Where an event occurs which is unexpected, in the sense that it is somehow in absurd or mocking opposition to what would be expected or appropriate. Mere coincidence is generally not ironic; neither is mere surprise, nor are any random or arbitrary occurrences. Irony (a.k.a. Situational irony): Where an event occurs which is unexpected, in the sense that it is somehow in absurd or mocking opposition to what would be expected or appropriate. Mere coincidence is generally not ironic; neither is mere surprise, nor are any random or arbitrary occurrences. Verbal irony: Where the meaning of a specific expression is, or is intended to be, the exact opposite of what the words literally mean. (Sarcasm is a tone of voice that often accompanies verbal irony, but they are not the same thing.) Verbal irony: Where the meaning of a specific expression is, or is intended to be, the exact opposite of what the words literally mean. (Sarcasm is a tone of voice that often accompanies verbal irony, but they are not the same thing.) Dramatic irony: Where the audience or reader is aware of something important, of which the characters in the story are not aware. Dramatic irony: Where the audience or reader is aware of something important, of which the characters in the story are not aware. “The Stolen Party” uses Irony to show how the ways that Rosaura was helping out of the party could be seen two ways – either as being a helpful party guest, or as a paid servant hired for the party. “The Stolen Party” uses Irony to show how the ways that Rosaura was helping out of the party could be seen two ways – either as being a helpful party guest, or as a paid servant hired for the party.

Literary Devices Simile: is a comparison between two objects using the words “like” or “as.” Simile: is a comparison between two objects using the words “like” or “as.” Example: “Her eyes are like stars!” Example: “Her eyes are like stars!” Hyperbole: is a very strong exaggeration. Hyperbole: is a very strong exaggeration. Example: “Her smile is as wide as the ocean!” or “His stature is as a mountain unmovable!” Example: “Her smile is as wide as the ocean!” or “His stature is as a mountain unmovable!” Metaphor: is the comparison between two objects. Metaphor: is the comparison between two objects. Example: “His eyes are jewels!” Example: “His eyes are jewels!” Personification: gives an inhuman thing human quality. Personification: gives an inhuman thing human quality. Example: “The diamonds are jealous of your beauty!” Example: “The diamonds are jealous of your beauty!” Alliteration: is the repetition of the initial consonant consecutively or within a couple words of each other Alliteration: is the repetition of the initial consonant consecutively or within a couple words of each other Example: “The tiny tot told two tales that totally twisted the truth.” Example: “The tiny tot told two tales that totally twisted the truth.” Paradox: is a contradiction, which in reality is true. Paradox: is a contradiction, which in reality is true. Example: “War is Peace, Freedom is slavery, and ignorance is strength.” Example: “War is Peace, Freedom is slavery, and ignorance is strength.” Oxymoron: A contradiction in terms. Oxymoron: A contradiction in terms. Example: Romeo describes love using several oxymorons, such as “cold fire,” “feather of lead” and “sick health,” to suggest its contradictory nature. Example: Romeo describes love using several oxymorons, such as “cold fire,” “feather of lead” and “sick health,” to suggest its contradictory nature.