Story/Literature Elements and Terms

1. Story/Literature Elements and Terms English 9 Ms. Mathews

2. Plot Triangle

3. Plot Elements • Exposition: setting and characters • The basic part of the work that introduces the characters, the setting, and the basic situation • Initiating Event: introduces the central conflict • There would not be a plot without this event! • Rising Actions: all of the events leading up to the climax

4. Plot Elements • Climax: the high point of interest or suspense; when the conflict is decided one way or the other • Falling Action(s)/Denouement: actions that lead to the conclusion • Resolution/Conclusion: a general insight or change is conveyed

5. Protagonist and Antagonist • Protagonist: The story’s central character. • Usually a hero or the “good guy” • Antagonist: The story’s main villain or “bad guy.” • DOES not need to be a human • any force that works against the protagonist

6. Antagonist Protagonist

7. Foil • A foil is usually a minor character who highlights the major character. • The foil may present characteristics or behaviors that contrast with the main character. • Examples: Donkey in Shrek Tinkerbell in Peter Pan

8. Point of View • Method the author uses to convey the plot to the audience • Types: • First Person • Third-Person Objective • Third-Period Limited • Omniscient

9. Point of View First Person Third-Person Objective The narrator is an outsider who can report only what he or she sees and hears. This narrator can tell us what is happening. Cannot tell the reader the thoughts of the characters. • The narrator is a character in the story. • Can reveal only personal thoughts and feelings and what he or she sees and is told by other characters. • Cannot tell the reader the thoughts of other characters. • “I,” “me,” “my,” and “mine”

10. Point of View Third-Person Limited Omniscient The narrator is an all-knowing outsider who can enter the minds of more than one of the characters. • The narrator is an outsider who sees into the mind of one of the characters.

11. Conflict • A struggle or clash between opposing characters and/or forces. • Internal conflict: the main character is in conflict with himself/herself • External conflict: the main character struggles against an outside force

12. Types of Conflict • Internal Conflict • Man vs. Self • External Conflict • Man vs. Man • Man vs. Society • Man vs. Nature • Man vs. Supernatural • Man vs. Technology/Machine

13. Man vs. Man • A conflict between two people • Examples: • Joan and Steve argue about bills • Bill and Steve get into a physical fight • Mary is jealous of Suzy's wealth

14. Man vs. Society • When a character struggles with a societal institution or “societal norm” • Examples: • Jim is a slave who cannot read • Mrs. Mallard is in a loveless marriage because society does not permit her to be independent.

15. Man vs. Nature • When a character struggles with a force in nature • Examples: • Tom Hanks’ character in Cast Away • Brian Robeson in Hatchet

16. Man vs. Self • The main character in the story has a moral/conscience problem within himself • Examples: • Pinocchio and Jiminy Cricket • Good angel/bad angel • Self-doubt

17. Man vs. Supernatural • A conflict where the character is pitted against elements outside of the natural realm. • These include encounters with ghosts, extraterrestrials, external spiritual experiences, and other unexplained occurrences. • Examples: • Scrooge is visited by the “Ghost of Christmas Past” • Odysseus angers the sea god, Poseidon whom makes his journey home near impossible.

18. Man vs. Technology/Machine • A conflict that places a character against man-made entities that may possess intelligence • Examples: • Decepticons in the Transformers series • Terminator • I, Robot

19. Tone and Mood • Tone in literature tells us how the author thinks about his or her subject. Tone is the author's attitude toward story and readers. • Example tone words: • Sarcastic, pensive, encouraging, and comic • Mood is the effect of the writer's words on the reader. Mood is how the writer’s words make us feel. • Example mood words: • Silly, hopeful, morose, and tense

20. Theme • The main idea • Perception about life or human nature • Not directly stated----inferred • Examples: • “Cinderella” • Fate and destiny • “Little Red Riding Hood” • Trickery

21. Foreshadowing • Writer uses hints/clues to indicate events and situations that will occur later in the plot • Creates suspense • Prepares the reader for what is to come

22. Symbolism • A person, place, activity, or object that stands for something beyond itself • Allows people to communicate beyond the limits of language • Examples: • American flag • Dollar bill

23. Flashback • A conversation, episode, or event that happened BEFOREthe beginning of the story • Interrupts the chronological flow to give the reader understanding of a situation

24. Imagery • Consists of descriptive words and phrases that re-create sensory experiences • Appeals to one or more of the five senses • Sight • Hearing • Smell • Taste • Touch • Helps reader imagine EXACTLY what is being described

25. Allusion • Indirect reference to another literary work or to a famous person, place, or event • Examples: • The Percy Jackson series makes references to mythological stories and The Odyssey • The Twilight series makes references to Wuthering Heights

26. Irony • A contrast between appearance and reality • Reality is the opposite of what it seems • Types of Irony: • Situational Irony • Dramatic Irony • Verbal Irony

27. Metaphor • Figure of speech • Makes a comparison between two things that are mostly unalike • Does not use “like” or “as” • Example: • “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” William Shakespeare from As You Like It

28. Onomatopoeia • Use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning • Examples: • Pow • Buzz • Crunch • Hiss

29. Simile • Figure of speech • Makes a comparison between two things • Uses the words “like” or “as” • Examples: • He looked like a penguin in his tux. • Her eyes shined like diamonds in the night sky.