Essential Question What are the different elements of literature?

Elements of Literature What makes a story a story? Movies Novels Short Stories

Protagonist The main character in a work of literature The protagonist is involved in the work’s central conflict

Antagonist The antagonist is the character that is opposite the protagonist. “anti” = against Lex Luthor

Plot Structure Exposition: the start of the story, before the action takes place

Plot Structure Rising Action: the series of conflicts and crisis in the story that leads to the climax.

Plot Structure Climax: the turning point, the most intense part of the story – mentally or in action

Plot Structure Falling Action: all of the action that follows the climax

Plot Structure Resolution: the conclusion, the tying together of the loose ends

Setting The time and place of a story, poem, or play. The setting may contribute to the emotional effect of the story.

Conflict A struggle between opposing characters or opposing forces. Man vs. Man Man vs. Himself Man vs. Nature Man vs. Society

Point of View The vantage point from which a story is told. Who is the person telling the story? First person – one of the characters is telling the story Third person – a narrator is telling the story.

Third Person Point of View Two different types: Third Person OMNISCIENT point of view is where the narrator knows everything about the characters and their problems. They can tell us about the past, the future, and the present. The narrator can also tell us what the characters are thinking and what is happening at the same time. Third person LIMITED point of view is where the narrator focuses on the thoughts and feelings of only one character. From this point of view, we observe the action through the eyes of only one of the characters in the story.

The Tortoise and the Hare Once there was a Hare who used to laugh scornfully at a Tortoise because he plodded along so slowly. "You never can get anywhere with those short legs of yours. Look at my long legs! They're so swift no one would dare race me."

The Tortoise and the Hare All the animals of field and forest were tired of hearing the Hare brag. At last the Tortoise said, "If we were to run a race, I'm sure I would beat you."

The Tortoise and the Hare The animals were astonished for they knew the Tortoise was the slowest of them all, and the Hare, bursting into loud laughter, cried, "What a joke! That slowpoke thinks he can beat me! Come on, Mr. Tortoise, you shall see what my feet are made of. Why, I can beat you before you are even half- started!

The Tortoise and the Hare "You'd better not be too sure," cautioned the Tortoise. All the big and little animals gathered to watch the race. At the signal the Hare leaped forward in a great bound and soon left the plodding Tortoise far behind him on the dusty road. Looking back, the Hare could not even see the Tortoise after a little while.

The Tortoise and the Hare "Hum-m, I've as good as won this race already," he thought. “There's really no reason to hurry." So, as the sun was very warm, he decided to rest a bit under a shady tree. "I'll come in way ahead of that Tortoise, anyhow," he told himself. Soon he was sound asleep but the little rest stretched into a good long nap.

The Tortoise and the Hare Meantime, the Tortoise jogged steadily along on the hot, dusty road, ever so slowly, but surely, and soon he passed the Hare who was still peacefully sleeping. Quietly, the Tortoise plodded on nearing the goal. When the Hare finally woke up with a start, he saw the Tortoise just reaching the finish line far ahead and he could hear all the animals cheering the winner.

The Tortoise and the Hare Boastful and careless, the Hare had lost the race. Now he would never again be able to count on his speed. Moral of the story: Perseverance wins the race.

Can you answer these questions? Protagonist: Antagonist: Conflict: Point of View: Setting: Tortoise Man vs. Man Hare Third Person Omniscient Dusty road, during the day

Plot Structure A hare always teased a tortoise. The tortoise challenges the hare to a race The hare rushed in front. Since he was so far in front, the hare decided to take a nap. Tortoise wins the race! Animals cheered and the hare was shamed. Moral of the story.

Can you answer these questions? Protagonist: Jonas Antagonist: ??? Conflict: Man v. Society Point of View: Third Person, Omniscient Setting: Dystopic world in the future

Plot Structure for The Giver Jonas and his family live in what seems a perfect world, but then… Jonas takes baby Caleb and leaves the dystopia. Jonas comforts baby Caleb and finds peace as he approaches the neighboring village. Jonas and Caleb may have survived, but it really depends on the reader.