The Elements of Narrative ENG1D1MacPherson

What is “Narration”? Narration is storytelling (literary, verbal) Narration is storytelling (literary, verbal) Can be either fictional (based on imagination) or non-fictional (based on facts) Can be either fictional (based on imagination) or non-fictional (based on facts)

Examples of Narration Short stories Short stories Legends Legends Myths Myths Oral storytelling Oral storytelling Ballads Novels Novellas Operettas Historical accounts

Why is narrative important? It reflects human experience It reflects human experience It informs It informs It entertains It entertains It depicts human nature It depicts human nature It is a means of passing stories and culture down through generations It is a means of passing stories and culture down through generations

Key Features of Narration Developed from an event, or series of events Developed from an event, or series of events Usually involves a character in conflict Usually involves a character in conflict Character, setting, conflict, and plot are chosen to develop the theme of the narrative Character, setting, conflict, and plot are chosen to develop the theme of the narrative The beginning – establishes character, setting and mood The beginning – establishes character, setting and mood The middle – character(s) deal with conflict The middle – character(s) deal with conflict The end – explains how the conflict is resolved The end – explains how the conflict is resolved

Elements: Plot The plan or pattern of the story The plan or pattern of the story

Elements -- Setting “when” and “where” the story takes place “when” and “where” the story takes place Includes both the time of day and time of year as well as the historical time period Includes both the time of day and time of year as well as the historical time period

Elements -- Climax The main problem, or highest point of interest in the story The main problem, or highest point of interest in the story

Elements -- Crisis The series of events which help develop a character The series of events which help develop a character Also known as the “Rising Action” Also known as the “Rising Action”

Elements -- Characterization Direct Characterization Direct Characterization The author’s explanatory comments tells the reader how to think The author’s explanatory comments tells the reader how to think Indirect Characterization Indirect Characterization The author provides information from which the reader makes inferences or conclusions The author provides information from which the reader makes inferences or conclusions

Elements – Protagonist & Antagonist Protagonist Protagonist The main character around whom the reader’s interest revolves The main character around whom the reader’s interest revolves Not necessarily “good” Not necessarily “good” Antagonist Antagonist An important opponent trying to stop or interfere with the protagonist An important opponent trying to stop or interfere with the protagonist Not necessarily “bad” Not necessarily “bad”

Elements -- Conflict The struggle that grows between two opposing forces in a narrative The struggle that grows between two opposing forces in a narrative A narrative may have multiple conflicts A narrative may have multiple conflicts Examples of Conflicts Individual vs. Individual Individual vs. Nature Individual vs. Self Individual vs. Society

Elements – Flashback and Foreshadowing These are devices used to develop and advance the narrative These are devices used to develop and advance the narrative Flashback Flashback The writer presents incidents that occurred before the opening episode of the story The writer presents incidents that occurred before the opening episode of the story Used to develop context and background Used to develop context and background Foreshadowing Foreshadowing Hints of something that will happen later in the story Hints of something that will happen later in the story Used to develop suspense and anticipation Used to develop suspense and anticipation

Elements -- Theme The meaning or message of the story The meaning or message of the story

Elements -- Tone The feelings a piece of literature arouses in the reader The feelings a piece of literature arouses in the reader Happy Sad Depressed Hostile Optimistic hopeful, Pessimistic Anger peace

Elements -- Symbol An object or image that is used to represent something (usually an abstract concept or theme) An object or image that is used to represent something (usually an abstract concept or theme)

Elements – Point of View The perspective from which a story is narrated (told) The perspective from which a story is narrated (told) First Person Major First Person Major The main character tells the story only from his /her viewpoint The main character tells the story only from his /her viewpoint Third Person Omniscient Third Person Omniscient The narrator is omniscient (all knowing) but is not in the action The narrator is omniscient (all knowing) but is not in the action Sees all action and knows the thoughts of all characters Sees all action and knows the thoughts of all characters

Elements -- Style The writer’s use of language that gives insights into the story The writer’s use of language that gives insights into the story Includes use of literary devices, diction, punctuation, etc… Includes use of literary devices, diction, punctuation, etc…

Elements -- Suspense A feeling of uncertainty about the outcome A feeling of uncertainty about the outcome Created through setting, use of foreshadowing, development of mood and atmosphere through style, character conflict etc…. Created through setting, use of foreshadowing, development of mood and atmosphere through style, character conflict etc….

Elements –Inciting Incident The events in the story which begin the action The events in the story which begin the action May even take place before the actual narrative begins May even take place before the actual narrative begins

Elements – Character Crisis Moments in a story which challenge characters and lead to character development Moments in a story which challenge characters and lead to character development

Elements --Denouement The unraveling of the plot near the conclusion of a story The unraveling of the plot near the conclusion of a story Sometimes referred to as the “resolution” Sometimes referred to as the “resolution”

Genre This is not an element of narrative, but rather a “type” of narrative This is not an element of narrative, but rather a “type” of narrative Refers to a kind or type of literature Refers to a kind or type of literature Mystery Horror Science fiction Romance Action /Adventure Fantasy Gothic Realism