 Writing that comes from a writers imagination.

 Short Story  Usually revolves around a single idea  Is short enough to be read at one sitting  Novel  Involves a more complicated plot  A longer work

 Plot  Character  Setting  Theme

 The sequence of events in a story  A plot is usually built around a central conflict involving two or more opposing forces

 Exposition  Provides background for the story. Characters are introduced, and the setting is described  Rising Action  Central conflict begins to unfold. Complications are introduced and suspense builds.

 Climax  The point of greatest interest or suspense in the story; the turning point, when the action reaches a peak. The climax may occur because of a decision the characters reach or because of a discovery or an even t that changes or a solution to the conflict.  Falling Action  Occurs after the climax and resolves the conflict.

 Resolution/Denoument  The loose ends are tied up and the story comes to a close.

 The people, animals, or imaginary creatures that take part in the action of a story

 Main Character  The character the story is centered around.  Minor Characters  Other less important characters that the main character/s interact with. These characters help to move the plot along.

 Motives  A character’s emotions, desires, or needs that prompt action  Traits  More permanent qualities in a characters personality  Gentleness  Boldness

 The time and place in which the actions of the story happens  Also includes the customs and culture of the place and time  Often plays a role in the plot and the development of characters

 The meaning, moral, or message about life that the writer conveys to the reader  The central topic, subject, or concept the author is trying to point out

 Deductive reasoning works from the more general to the more specific.  Inductive reasoning works the other way, moving from specific observations to broader generalizations and theories

 The process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character. Characterization is revealed through direct characterization and indirect characterization.

 tells the audience what the personality of the character is.  Example: “The patient boy and quiet girl were both well mannered and did not disobey their mother.”  Explanation: The author is directly telling the audience the personality of these two children. The boy is “patient” and the girl is “quiet.”

 shows things that reveal the personality of a character. There are five different methods of indirect characterization:

First Person  Includes the thoughts and perspective of one main character, who's telling his/her own story. Uses the pronoun I. As I walked up the hill, I realized that the atmosphere was just too quiet. There was no sound from the cardinal who was nearly always singing from the top of the maple tree. Second Person  Turns the reader into the character. Uses the pronoun You. As you walk up the hill, you realize that the atmosphere's just too quiet. There's no sound from the cardinal you know is almost always singing from the top of the maple tree.

Third Person Limited  Includes the thoughts and perspective of one main character. Uses the pronoun He/She. As she walked up the hill, she realized that the atmosphere was just too quiet. There was no sound from the cardinal who she so often heard singing from the top of the maple tree. Third Person Omniscient  All-knowing; can include thoughts and perspective of all characters. Uses the pronoun He/She. As the girl walked up the hill, she realized that the atmosphere was just too quiet. The cardinal tipped his head back and drew breath to sing, but just as the first note passed his beak he heard the crack of a dead branch far below his perch high in the maple tree.

 Author’s Purpose is the reason why the text was written.  There are three main purposes to an author’s passage: P ersuade I nform E ntertain

 It’s the author’s goal to persuade the reader to agree with the author’s opinion.  Even though the author shares his opinion, he may provide facts or examples to support the opinion. Examples: advertisements, commercials, newspaper editorials, etc.

 It’s the author’s goal to enlighten the reader with topics that are usually real or contain facts.  Facts are used to teach, not to persuade. Examples: textbooks, cookbooks, newspapers, encyclopedias, etc.

 It is the author’s goal to tell a story or describe real or imaginary characters, places, and events Examples: poems, stories, plays, comic strips, etc.