1. Narrative Story Terms

2. What is a narrative text?
Narrative text is writing that tells a story. It can be a made-up story (fiction) or one that is based on real events.
To narrate is the verb used to describe the act of telling a story, so a narrative is the story and the narrator is the person telling the story.

3. Elements of Narrative Text
Plot
- exposition statement
- rising action
- conflict
- climax
- falling action
- resolution
Theme
Setting
Characters
Point of view
Characterization
Dialogue

4. Character Character – a person in a story, poem or play.
Types of Characters:
Round- fully developed, has many different character traits
Flat- stereotyped, one-dimensional, few traits
Static – Does not change
Dynamic – Changes as a result of the story's events

5. Characterization
How the author develops the characters, especially the main character.
This is done through:
what the character does or says
what others say of and to the character
author’s word choice in descriptive passages

6. Characterization Direct characterization Indirect characterization
The author directly states what the character’s personality is like. Example: cruel, kind
Indirect characterization
Showing a character’s personality through his/her actions, thoughts, feelings, words, appearance or other character’s observations or reactions

7. Protagonist Main character of the story that changes
(death is not a change)
the most important character
changes and grows because of experiences in the story

8. Antagonist A major character who opposes the protagonist
the antagonist does not change
Types of antagonists:
people
nature
society

9. SECONDARY CHARACTERS
Other characters who are necessary to moving the plot along, but may not be involved with the central conflict

10. What is the Plot?
Plot: Series of related events that make up a story.

11. Plot Components
Exposition (Introduction): The start of the story, the situation before the action starts
Rising Action: The series of conflicts and crisis in the story that lead to the climax
Climax / Turning Point: The most intense moment – either mentally or in action – the reader wonders what will happen next; will the conflict be resolved or not?
Falling Action: The events and complications begin to resolve themselves. (The events between the climax and the resolution)
Resolution: The conclusion, the untangling of events in the story

13. The rest of the story is based on this information
Exposition
The part of the plot that tells how the story begins.
You learn….
Characters
Setting
Conflict (problem)
Background information
The rest of the story is based on this information

14. Setting
The time and place of the story’s action

15. Setting
The setting is the place where the story takes place. Setting includes the following:
The geographical location
For example: London, Cairo, Halifax, Vancouver
The time period
For example: 1865, during WWII, today
The socio-economic characteristics of the location
For example: wealthy suburbs
The specific building, room etc.
For example: a prep school, a log cabin, a bus, a military base

16. Setting It helps build background and create images in the mind.
Details can describe:
Time of day
Time of year
Scenery
Weather
Location
It helps build background and create images in the mind.
It helps set the tone or mood of the story.
Walsh Publishing Co. 2009

17. Rising Action Consists of a series of complications.
These occur when the main characters take action to resolve their problems and are met with further problems:
Fear
Hostility
Threatening situation

18. Climax
The turning point in the story: the high point of interest and suspense
Climax
Rising Action or Complications
Falling Action

19. Falling Action
All events following the climax or turning point in the story. These events are a result of the action taken at the climax.

20. Resolution
The end of the central conflict: it shows how the situation turns out and ties up loose ends

21. Plot: Conflict
Conflict is the dramatic struggle between two forces in a story. Without conflict there is no plot.

22. Plot: Types of Conflict
External Conflict
Human vs. Human
Human vs. Nature
Human vs. Society
Human vs. technology, progress
Human vs. Supernatural
Internal Conflict
Human vs. Self

23. Point of View Vantage point from which the writer tells the story.
First person- One of the characters is actually telling the story using the pronoun “I”
Third person- Centers on one character’s thoughts and actions.
Omniscient- All knowing narrator. Can center on the thoughts and actions of any and all characters.

24. THEME The central idea about life that the story
highlights; THE MAIN IDEA (universal truths).
The message the author is conveying.
Determine the specific conflict
Decide what side of the conflict the story represents
How is the conflict resolved? Who wins? Who loses?

25. THEME Theme is NOT the moral of the story Theme is NOT plot
Theme IS the general subject matter of a work of art
Theme may contain a message