STORY ELEMENTS

What parts make up a story?

Story ELEMENTSStory ELEMENTSSettingCharactersPoint of

ViewPlot ConflictTheme

SettingSettingSettingSetting

Details that describeDetails that describe::FurnitureFurnitureScenerySceneryCustomsCustomsTransportationTransportationClothingClothingDialectsDialectsWeatherWeatherTime of dayTime of dayTime of yearTime of year

Time and place where the action occursTime and place where the action occurs

Elements of a SettingElements of a Setting

Setting

Place

Atmosphere

Time

History

EraLife

Mood

Weather

Feelings

WordChoice

Location

Physical

Day

Use as activator to activate prior knowledge. Write the web on the board or overhead and students create one at their seats. Then as class share and fill in.

The Functions of a The Functions of a SettingSetting

To create a mood or atmosphere

To show a reader a different way of life

To make action seem more real

To be the source of conflict or struggle

To symbolize an idea

We left the home place behind, mile by slow mile, heading for the mountains, across the prairie where the wind blew forever. At first there were four of us with one horse wagon and its skimpy load. Pa and I walked, because I was a big boy of eleven. My two little sisters romped and trotted until they got tired and had to be boosted up to the wagon bed.

That was no covered Conestoga, like Pa’s folks came West in, but just an old farm wagon, drawn by one weary horse, creaking and rumbling westward to the mountains, toward the little woods town where Pa thought he had an old uncle who owned a little two-bit sawmill.

Taken from “The Day the Sun Came Out” by D. Johnson

Types of CharactersTypes of Characters People or animals Major characters Minor characters Protagonist Antagonist Round characters Flat characters Static characters Dynamic characters

TYPES OF CHARACTERS

• Protagonist – the main character in a literary work. Usually the hero/heroine, but could be a villain.

• Antagonist – the principal character in opposition to the protagonist or hero/heroine in a literary work (foil).

TYPES OF CHARACTERS

• Round characters – well developed; change over time (dynamic); we get to know a lot about them – usually major characters

• Flat characters – appear in the story, but we only know the basics of who they are (name, job, etc); do not change (static)

CharacterizationCharacterizationA writer reveals what a character is like A writer reveals what a character is like

and how the character changes and how the character changes throughout the story.throughout the story.

Two primary methods of characterization:Two primary methods of characterization:Direct-Direct- writer tells what the character is like writer tells what the character is likeIndirectIndirect-- writer shows what a character is writer shows what a character is

like by describing what the character looks like by describing what the character looks like, by telling what the character says and like, by telling what the character says and does, and by what other characters say about does, and by what other characters say about and do in response to the character.and do in response to the character.

Direct CharacterizationDirect Characterization

…And I don’t play the dozens or believe in standing around with somebody in my face doing a lot of talking. I much rather just knock you down and take my chances even if I’m a little girl with skinny arms and a squeaky voice, which is how I got the name Squeaky.

From “Raymond’s Run” by T. Bambara

Indirect CharacterizationIndirect Characterization

The old man bowed to all of us in the room. Then he removed his hat and gloves, slowly and carefully. Chaplin once did that in a picture, in a bank--he was the janitor.

From “Gentleman of Rio en Medio” by J. Sedillo

Elements of CharacterElements of Character

Character

Main

Flat

Minor

Not Fully Developed

FriendsRelativesFully

Developed

Protagonist

AntagonistCo-Main

Enemy

Factors in Analyzing Factors in Analyzing CharactersCharacters

Physical appearance of character

PersonalityBackground/personal historyMotivationRelationshipsConflictDoes character change?

“JUNE” STORY ELEMENTS

• SETTING

• MAIN CHARACTER

• MINOR CHARACTERS

• POINT OF VIEW

• INTERNAL CONFLICT/SOLUTION

• EXTERNAL CONFLICT/SOLUTION

• THEME

• MOOD

• TONE

• PLOT – ON A PLOT MAP

PlotPlotThe series of events in a story is called the The series of events in a story is called the story’s plot. A plot usually centers around a story’s plot. A plot usually centers around a conflict – a problem faced by the main conflict – a problem faced by the main character. In a typical plot, the action that the character. In a typical plot, the action that the characters take to solve the problems builds, or characters take to solve the problems builds, or rises, toward a climax, an important decision rises, toward a climax, an important decision that becomes the turning point of the story. At that becomes the turning point of the story. At that point, or shortly afterward, the action falls. that point, or shortly afterward, the action falls. The problem may be solved or changed and The problem may be solved or changed and the story ends.the story ends.

Parts of a PlotParts of a Plot Exposition – Characters and setting are introduced –

(protagonist/antagonist )– an opening situation that gives rise to conflict

Rising Action - events that occur as the conflict is introduced – interest and suspense builds

Climax- highest point of interest or suspense of story – the main character comes face to face with the conflict and changes in some way (turning point)

Falling Action - all of the action which follows the climax – loose ends are tied – the conflict/climax are taken care of

Solution/Resolution/Denouement- the story comes to a reasonable conclusion

Diagram of PlotDiagram of Plot

Characters and Setting are introduced - Inciting incident/Opening situation (protagonist/antagonist)

Exposition

Ris

ing

Act

ion

Con

flict

s de

velo

p-

Inte

rest

and

sus

pens

e

build

s

ClimaxHighest action – Main character face to face with conflict

Fallin

g A

ction

Loose ends tied –

conflict/climax taken

care of

Resolution/Solution/

Denouement

The story comes to a reasonable ending

Special Techniques of Special Techniques of PlotPlot

Suspense- excitement or tensionForeshadowing- hint or clue about

what will happen in storyFlashback- interrupts the normal

sequence of events to tell about something that happened in the past

Surprise Ending - conclusion that reader does not expect

ConflictConflictConflict is a struggle between opposing forcesConflict is a struggle between opposing forcesEvery plot must contain some kind of conflictEvery plot must contain some kind of conflictStories can have more than one conflictStories can have more than one conflictConflicts can be external or internalConflicts can be external or internal

External conflictExternal conflict- outside force may be person, - outside force may be person, group, animal, nature, or a nonhuman obstaclegroup, animal, nature, or a nonhuman obstacle

Internal conflictInternal conflict- takes place in a character’s mind- takes place in a character’s mind

EXTERNAL CONFLICT

• A struggle with an outside force:

• 1) Man versus Man – a physical/verbal conflict with a person or group.

• 2) Man versus Nature - a conflict with an animal, weather, plant, or physical feature.

• 3) Man versus Society – a conflict with a social institution such as the government/police.

INTERNAL CONFLICT

• This conflict that takes place in a character’s mind. A decision that a character has to make or a problem that they have to solve.

ThemeThemeA central message about life or

human nature that is conveyed by a work of literature.

Can be expressed by one or two sentence statements about human beings or about life.

May be stated directly or implied (you must figure it out).

DERIVING THEME

• Title - may give a clue to the theme.

• Character – review the actions, thoughts, and concerns of the main characters. Ask what the main character has learned or how the character has changed.

• Setting – Notice how setting affects the characters, plot, and mood.

• Plot – How are the conflicts resolved?

DERIVING THEME

• TITLE / CHARACTER/ SETTING/ PLOT

POINT OF VIEW Point of view refers to how a writer chooses to narrate a story. Every story is told from a particular point of view or perspective. Usually, a story is told from either the first person or the third-person point of view. TYPES:

•First Person – The narrator is a character in the story who can reveal only personal thoughts and feelings and what he or she sees and is told by other characters. He/she can’t tell us thoughts of other characters. Pronouns such as I, me, and we are used.

Third Person: A story is told from the third-person point of view has a narrator who is outside the story and uses pronouns such as he, she, and they. There are two types of third person point of view.

Third Person Omniscient (all-knowing)- The narrator is an all-knowing outsider who can enter the minds of more than one of the characters to relate their thoughts and feelings.

Third Person Limited - The narrator is an outsider who sees into the mind of one of the characters to reveal what that character thinks, feels, and observes.

• Second Person: This point of view appears in directions such as the taking of medications, cooking, or putting something together. An example would be: Take two tablets every four hours. Do not exceed eight tablets in twenty-four hours.

MOOD AND TONE

MOOD (YOU) A mood is a feeling that a literary work conveys to readers.

Writers carefully chose words and phrases to create moods. A mood is an emotion such as sadness, excitement or anger. (Mood is the emotion(s) that you, the reader feel(s) as you read a text.)

TONE (AUTHOR) The tone of a work conveys the writer’s attitude toward his or

her subject. A work may have one tone throughout, such as humorous, serious, or impatient. Sometimes, however, the tone may change several times in the course of a work. (Tone is how the writer feels.)

CHANGING TONE

ORIGINAL Lepton, the yellow Labrador, lay napping in the sunroom. Visions of cats filled his dreams as he sleptsoundly.

CONFRONTATIONAL Lepton awoke from his sleep with a start – the hair on

his back as stiff as a brush. He stared intently out the window of the sun room, barking loudly at any moving object. The angry canine pressed his nose against the windowpane, growling and snapping at all living creatures.

MYSTERIOUS

As Lepton, the yellow Labrador, lay napping in the sun room, a shadowy presence lurched into the doorway. Piercing green eyes glared at the sleeping canine as a bony hand flipped the light switch off…

SARCASTIC Lepton, the ferocious guard dog, lay in his usual position

– on his back. Instead of vigilantly surveying the yard for intruders, he snored loudly. “Wow!” exclaimed Dennis, “I’ve never seen such an active dog. Boy I sure feel protected with this wild beast around.”

POSITIVE, NEGATIVE, OR NEUTRAL

Directions: Write a (+) next to words with a positive feeling;write a (-) next to words with a negative feeling; write an “N” next to

words that are neutral.Feeling Wordshappy excited frustrated confusedangry sad surprised anxiousscared unhappy nervous relievedrelaxed reassured passionate embarrassedirritated disappointed uncertain skepticaloptimistic restless threatened offendedheartbroken mournful bored guilty

Tone Scene

1. humorous

2. suspicious

3. angry

4. compassionate

5. sarcastic

6. supportive

7. energetic

8. guilty

9. nervous

10. disappointed

“June” Story Elements

• Setting

• Main Character

• Minor Characters

• Point of View

• Internal Conflict/Solution

• External Conflict/Solution

• Theme

• Mood

• Tone

• Plot in a Plot Map