What parts make up a a story?

http://members.tripod.com/dscorpio/images/literary_elements.ppt

In a traditional plot structure, there are stages.

The stages of plot usually happen in this order:

1. In the ___________, the author introduces the characters, setting, and conflict.

and also reveals the story’s .

2. The ___________ is the part of the story where the conflicts gets complicated.

3. The ___________ is the tension builds to the highest point

4. The _____________ is the part of the story where the suspense lessens.

5. The _______________ is the part of the story where the outcome is revealed.

Do Now: Complete the blanks.

Plot SettingCharactersConflictTheme

What are important What are important story elements?story elements?

something happens to something happens to someone somewhere someone somewhere

Diagram of PlotDiagram of Plot

Exposition

Dev

elop

men

t/

Ris

ing

Act

ion

Climax

Falling

action

Resolution

Exposition – author’s intro of setting, protagonist, and their conflict(opening situation)Rising action- the problem becomes more complicatedClimax- highest point of interest or suspense of storyFalling action- suspense is easedResolution- main conflict is resolved.

Parts of a PlotParts of a Plot

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 pastIrony- an outcome that reader does not expect

Special Techniques of Special Techniques of PlotPlot

Elements of CharacterElements of Character

Character

Main

Flat

Minor

Not Fully Developed

FriendsRelativesFully

Developed

Protagonist

AntagonistCo-Main

Enemy

Physical appearance of character

Personality

Background/personal history

Motivation

Relationships

Conflict

Change

How do we analyze How do we analyze Characters?Characters?

Major characters Minor characters Round characters Flat characters

Types of CharactersTypes of Characters

A writer reveals what a character is like and A writer reveals what a character is like and how the character changes throughout the how the character changes throughout the story.story.Two primary methods of characterization:Two primary methods of characterization:Direct-Direct- tells what the character is like tells what the character is likeIndirectIndirect- shows what a character is like using - shows what a character is like using SSpeechpeechTThoughtshoughtsEEffects on otherffects on otherAActionsctionsLLooksooks

What is What is Characterization?Characterization?

Direct CharacterizationDirect Characterization

And then Edward stepped out from the trees, his skin faintly glowing, his eyes black and dangerous. He held up one hand and beckoned me to come to

him. The wolf growled at my feet. I took a step forward, toward Edward. He smiled then, and his

teeth were sharp, pointed.

From Twilight by Stephanie Meyers

Indirect CharacterizationIndirect Characterization

No one is staring at you. I promise myself. No one is staring at you. No one is staring at you.

From Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer

Details that describe:Details that describe:

FurnitureFurnitureScenerySceneryCustomsCustomsTransportationTransportationClothingClothingDialectsDialectsWeatherWeatherTime of dayTime of dayTime of yearTime of year

SettingSettingSettingSetting

.To create a mood or atmosphereTo show a reader a different way of lifeTo make action seem more realTo be the source of conflict or struggleTo symbolize an idea

The Functions of a The Functions of a SettingSetting

Set their characters in a “world” with a particular location in place, time and culture.. 

•Physical Setting: include all of the places where the action takes place. i.e. geography, the climate, and the physical objects.

•Temporal Setting: time in history, time of year, and time of day. impacts character motivation and action.

Setting

•Cultural Setting: patterns of behavior and beliefs that dominate the society in which the characters live.

i.e. Family relationships, moral values, political systems, class structures, gender roles and race relations are all part of the cultural environment.

More on Setting

Conflict is a struggle between opposing forcesConflict is a struggle between opposing forces

Every plot must contain some kind of conflictEvery plot must contain some kind of conflict

Stories can have more than one conflictStories can have more than one conflict

Conflicts can be external or internalConflicts can be external or internalExternal 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

ConflictConflict

A central message, concern, or insight into life expressed through a literary workCan be expressed by one or two sentence statement about human beings or about lifeMay be stated directly or impliedInterpretation uncovers the theme

ThemeTheme

Example of ThemeExample of Theme

“Every man needs to feel allegiance to his native country, whether he always appreciates that country or not.”

From “A Man Without a Country” by Edward Hale pg. 185 in Prentice Hall Literature book