Elements of a Story Ms. Walsh

Elements of a Story: Setting – The time and place a story takes place. Characters – the people, animals or creatures in a story. Plot – the series of events that make up a story. Conflict – a problem or struggle between two people, things or ideas. Walsh Publishing Co. 2009

Setting Walsh Publishing Co. 2009

Setting Details can describe: Time of day Time of year Time in History Scenery Weather Location The setting describes where an when the story takes place. It helps build background and create images in the mind. It helps set the tone or mood of the story. Mood/Atmosphere: The feeling that the story evokes (i.e. mysterious, happy, eerie) from the reader. Walsh Publishing Co. 2009

Using the Five Senses A good setting helps the reader visualize the places in the story. A good author includes descriptions of the setting using the five senses… SIGHT SMELL TASTE FEEL SOUND Walsh Publishing Co. 2009

Characters Walsh Publishing Co. 2009

Every story needs Characters… People AnimalsOr Creatures Walsh Publishing Co. 2009

The protagonist is the “good guy”

The antagonist is the “bad guy” or force

Characterization Characterization is the way in which an author shows the personality of a character Characterization is a technique writers use to make characters “come to life.” Walsh Publishing Co. 2009

Characterization Characters are people or animals in a story. A writer can tell you directly about a character… (Freddy was very competitive) Or A writer can tell you indirectly about a character… (Two days before the game, Freddy gathered his teammates and laid out his plan. Then he looked at them and said, “We are going to win this one. No excuses.”) *What did we learn about Freddy? *How?

Direct Characterization Direct Characterization tells the reader the personality of the character. Direct Characterization is obvious to the reader and “spells” it right out. “The patient boy and the quiet girl were both well behaved and did not disobey their mother.

Indirect Characterization Indirect Characterization shows things that reveal the personality of the character. Speech Thought Effect on Others Actions Looks The boy sat next to his sister as she poked him and teased him. He did not react. He carefully picked up her doll from the floor and placed it on her lap saying gently, “Here you go, why don’t you play with your doll?”

Character Traits Character Traits are descriptive adjectives that tell us specific qualities of a character Honest Light-hearted Leader Expert Brave Conceited Mischievous Demanding Thoughtful Keen Happy Disagreeable Simple Fancy Plain Excited Studious Inventive Creative Thrilling Independent Intelligent Compassionate Gentle Proud Wild Messy Neat Joyful Strong Bright Courageous Serious Funny Humorous Sad Poor Rich Tall Dark Light Handsome Pretty Ugly Selfish Unselfish Self-confident Respectful Considerate Imaginative Busy Patriotic Fun-loving Popular Successful Responsible Lazy Dreamer Helpful Simple- minded Humble Friendly Short Adventurous Hard-working Timid Shy Bold Daring Dainty Pitiful Cooperative Lovable Prim Proper Ambitious Able Quiet Curious Reserved Pleasing Bossy Witty Fighter Tireless Energetic Cheerful Smart Impulsive Loyal

Factors in Analyzing Characters  Physical appearance/what they look like  Personality & Character Traits  Background/personal history  Motivation/why do they act?  Relationships  Conflict or struggles  Does the character change?  What do they think and feel?  How do others feel about them?

Plot Walsh Publishing Co. 2009

PLOT The chain of events in a story consists of 6 main ingredients: 1.Introduction/Exposition 2.Inciting incident 3.Rising action 4.Climax 5.Falling Action 6.Resolution/ Denouement

PLOT GRAPH An excellent way to map out a story’s plot:

Introduction Introduces the reader to: Setting Basic situation Characters involved Narrative Hook: question or statement that grabs the reader’s attention

Inciting Incident The first major action in the story that sets the story in motion (gets the ball rolling).

Rising Action Incidents which carry the plot along often include conflict, conflict, conflict!!

CLIMAX The highest point of interest Turning Point The end becomes clearer.

FALLING ACTION The character completes the action of his/her decision

THE RESOLUTION The final workings of a story’s conflict. All of the loose ends are tied up (usually). Narrative Twist: a surprise ending

Special Techniques of Plot…  Suspense- excitement or tension  Foreshadow- hints at future events  Flashback- interrupts the normal sequence of events to tell about something that happened in the past  Surprise Ending- conclusion that reader does not expect  And…Foreshadowing…

Conflict Walsh Publishing Co. 2009

Conflict Conflict is the “battle” between two forces. Conflict isn’t always bad..sometimes it helps to create change. Walsh Publishing Co. 2009

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

Types of Conflict Character vs Nature Character vs Society Character vs SelfCharacter vs Character

Types Of Conflict…a deeper look 1.Character vs. Character (problem with another character; external) 3. Character vs. Society (problem with the laws or beliefs of a group) (character vs. community, society or culture; external) 2. Character vs. Nature (problem with force of nature; external) 4. Character vs. Self (problem with deciding what to do or think; “inner conflict”)

Tone The tone of a literary work is the perspective or attitude of the author. Tone can portray a variety of emotions ranging from solemn, grave, and critical to witty, wry and humorous. Think about what the author makes the characters go through. This will help you establish the tone.

Theme -Moral of the story -Statement about human nature -the general subject matter of a work of art

1) “Little Red Riding Hood” is about how you shouldn’t trust strangers. 2) Stars Wars is a movie about Luke Skywalker. 3) Apocalypse Now is about the insanity of war. 4) This painting is about loneliness. 5) That story is about two guys who steal a car. 6) Romeo and Juliet is about love. 7) Romeo and Juliet is about two families fighting. 8) I saw a movie last night about survival. 9) “Hansel and Gretel” is about two children. 10) “Cinderella” is about poetic justice. THEME OR NOT A THEME?