Story Elements Notes

1. Story Elements Notes Definition of FICTION 1 a: something invented by the imagination or feigned; specifically: an invented story b:fictitious literature (as novels or short stories) c: a work of fiction; especially:novel 2 a: an assumption of a possibility as a fact irrespective of the question of its truth <a legal fiction> b: a useful illusion or pretense 3 a: the action of feigning or of creating with the imagination — fic·tion·al - adjective — fic·tion·al·i·ty - noun — fic·tion·al·ly - adverb

2. Story Elements – Notes CHARACTERIZATION • Protagonist –the CENTRAL character in a story, the one who initiates or drives the action; the story FOCUSES on this person, who may or may not become heroic – some protagonists are actually villains in a story • Antagonist –the opponent who struggles against or blocks the protagonist in a story. This person causes conflict and/or tension for the protagonist and may prevent his/her success.

3. Other types of characterization: • Direct characterization – when a writer uses this method, we do not have to figure out what a character’s personality is like – the writer tells us directly. • Indirect characterization – when a writer uses this method, we have to make our own judgment, putting clues together to figure out what a character is like – just as we do in real life when we are getting to know someone. Exs. are below in “Other” category. • Static – one who does not change much in the course of a story • Dymanic – this character changes in some important way as a result of a story’s action • Flat – have only one or two personality traits – they are one-dimensional, like a piece of cardboard; they can be summed up by one single phrase. • Round – in contrast to a flat character, a round character has more dimensions to their personalities – they are complex like real people • Foil – A character who acts as a contrast to another character.

4. SETTING – the time and location where the story takes place Time of day, time of year (season/month), weather, location, and era in history Other aspects that effect the setting: • Flash forward or flashback -- Is it in past, present, future tense? A mixture? • conflicts that create tension • creation of atmosphere or mood • setting also creates and delineates characters.

5. CONFLICT – The struggle between opposing forces or characters in a story. • Internal Conflict – Involves opposing forces within a person’s mind. MAN v. SELF • External Conflict – Can exist between two people, between a person and nature or a machine, or a person and a whole society. *Know ALL of these options!!! MAN v. MAN MAN v. NATURE MAN v. SOCIETY MAN v. MACHINE

6. PLOT -- The series of related events in a story or play, sometimes called the storyline. • Exposition – tells you who the characters are and introduces their conflict • Rising Action – refers to all the actions that take place before the turning point • CLIMAX – the exciting or suspenseful moment when the outcome of the conflict is imminent; the high point of the story • Falling Action – the action after the climax that leads to the resolution • Resolution – (a.k.a. denouement) – when the character’s problems are resolved and the story ends

7. Tone & Mood Tone – The attitude a WRITER takes toward the subject of a work, the characters in it, or the audience. Mood – The intended way for the READER to feel when reading a piece of literature – achieved through a writer’s word choice, imagery, figurative language, and other literary devices

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9. Irony – KNOW ALL THREE TYPES • a. verbal irony – when someone says one thing but really means something else. • b. situational irony – takes place when there is a discrepancy between what is expected to happen and what really does happen • c. dramatic irony – a character thinks one thing is true, but the audience or the reader knows better.

10. Allusion – A reference to a statement, person, place, event or thing that is known from literature, history, religion, myth, politics, sports, science or pop culture. • An author ASSUMES you know what he is alluding to! WRITE DOWN examples so far…

11. Symbolism – A person, place, thing, or event that has meaning in itself (concrete) but also stands for something more than itself (abstract). • Character • Object • Setting (place) • Symbolic action (event) EXAMPLES: • Imagery – The use of language to evoke a picture or a concrete sensation of a person, a thing, a place, or an experience. Used to appeal to readers’ FIVE senses. EXAMPLES:

12. Foreshadowing & Dialogue • Foreshadowing - the act of providing vague advance indications; representing beforehand Examples from previously read stories: • Dialogue - Conversation between characters in a drama or narrative; it is a form of dramatic action. 3 REASONS FOR DIALOGUE ** • to get inside of the character’s mind • to hear his/her reactions • to give us insight to characters’ feelings/emotions

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14. Story Elements - Advanced • THEME – the insight about human life that is revealed in a literary work – this can be expressed in a few ways: -- a life lesson *common sense * MORAL -- an illustration of human nature in adverse conditions *CLIMAX -- the indirect but intended message of the author *making an inference *UNIVERSAL

15. Figurative Language -- A word or phrase that departs from everyday literal language for the sake of comparison, emphasis, clarity, or freshness. Used well, figurative language enhances your fiction and can be an economical way of getting an image or a point across. Four of the most common are.. • Simile – Makes an explicit comparison between two unlike things, using “like” or “as” • Metaphor – Makes a comparison between unlike things without the use of specific words “like” or “an” • Personification – When an object or animal is given human feelings, thoughts, or attitudes • Hyperbole - A figure of speech (a form of irony) in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect; an extravagant statement.

16. Making Inferences –Remember: Authors imply; readers infer • A reader makes an inference when a reader uses clues from the story to figure out something that the author doesn't tell him/her ; AKA a “logical guess” • To make inferences, GOOD READERS: • Look for word/text clues • Look for picture clues • Define unknown words • Look for emotion (feelings) • Use what they already know • Look for explanations for events • ASK themselves questions!

17. POINT OF VIEW First Person Point of View •  The narrator is one of the characters in the story. •  First person pronouns, such as I, me, my, and mine are used in telling the story. •  Since the narrator is a character in the story, he/she may not be completely reliable. •  We find out only what this character knows, thinks, and witnesses. Third Person Objective •  The narrator is not a character in the story. •  Third person pronouns such as he, his, she, hers, it, its, they, and them are used in telling • the story. •  The narrator is an observer who can only tell what is said and done. •  The narrator cannot see into the minds of any of the characters. •  We find out only what the characters say and do.

18. POINT OF VIEW (Continued) Third Person Limited •  The narrator is not a character in the story. •  Third person pronouns such as he, his, she, hers, it, its, they, and them are used in telling • the story. •  The narrator tells the story from the vantage point of one character. •  The narrator can see into this character’s mind, but not any of the other characters. •  We find out only what this character does, knows, thinks, and witnesses. Third Person Omniscient •  The narrator is not a character in the story. •  Third person pronouns such as he, his, she, hers, it, its, they, and them are used in telling • the story. •  The narrator is all-knowing, and can see into the minds of all of the characters. The • narrator can also report what is said and done. •  We find out what all of the characters do, feel, think, and witness. Second Person Point of View •  Second person pronouns such as you, your, and yours are used. •  Most stories are NOT written in this format Satire – A type of writing that ridicules the shortcomings of people or institutions in an attempt to bring about a change