Humanities 8 Story Elements

1. Humanities 8 Story Elements We are learning to: identify these elements in the literature we read. Use these story elements in our own writing to craft more interesting narratives.

2. Plot • Exposition-the beginning of the story, normally where characters and setting are introduced. • Rising Action-leads up to the climax/big moment. Builds suspense throughout the story. • Climax/Big Moment – the high point of the book; usually reveals any plot points or details that may have previously been left out. • Falling Action – shows the result of the climax – the effects on the characters, setting, and earlier events. • Resolution – serves as the conclusion for the story.

4. Stop and Think! • Think about the most recent book you have read. • Write down the information you learned during the exposition part of the plot (main character(s) and setting, specifically). • Write down a 2 sentence summary of rising action. • What was the climax or “big moment?” • How did the story end? Write a couple of sentences about the falling action and resolution. Share with your neighbor

5. Conflict • Conflicts in stories can be internal or external. • Internal conflicts are conflicts that happen within the character’s mind. • External conflicts are conflicts that occur between a character and another character or external force.

6. Internal Conflicts • Are when a character has mixed feelings or can’t make up his or her mind. • There is no visible or tangible opposition.

7. Specific Types of Internal Conflict • Person vs. Self – When someone is struggling to make up his or her mind * A character may have to decide between right and wrong or make a decision about their course of action. Write an example of Person vs. Self conflict from a book you’ve read in your notes.

8. External Conflict • When a character faces obstacles in his or her life that are not in their own mind. Specific types of external conflict: • Person vs. nature – conflicts come from geography, climate, or animals. • Person vs. person – conflicts arise between characters. • Person vs. society-conflicts arise as a result of one’s political views, social status, race, or other problem that causes them to be in conflict with their school or community. • Person vs. fate – conflict arises as a result of something beyond a character’s control. The character is facing a serious disease or other problem that they have no control over.

9. Stop and Think! Think about books you have read. Please list one example of each type of conflict in your notes. Include the title of the book in your notes.

10. Quiz Time • 1. Shackleton and his crew facing the bitter cold is an example of… • A. Internal conflict • B. External conflict

11. The Answer is B it is an external conflict. • Specifically what type of conflict is it? A. Person vs. person B. Person vs. self C. Person vs. nature

12. C or person vs. nature is correct. The weather is a natural element. Therefore the men battling the weather creates a person vs. nature conflict.

13. 3. Shackleton and his desire to explore Antarctica and his battle to get back to that area of the world, even when he was in bad health is an example of what kind of conflict? • A. Person vs. self • B. Person vs. society • C. Person vs. nature

14. A is the correct answer because the struggle is inside of Shackleton – he has an internal drive to explore Antarctica.

15. 4. In Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World there is a mutiny planned. McNeish stands up to Shackleton and tells him he will not go any further when they are pulling the boats over land. What type of conflict is this? • A. Person vs. self • B. Person vs. society • C. Person vs. person

16. C is the correct answer this is a person vs. person conflict. • 5. Person vs. person conflicts are… • A. Internal conflicts • B. External conflicts

17. B is correct person vs. person conflicts are external.

18. Point of View • 1st Person – Stories or books written in the person are told from the point of view of the person the action is happening to. The person experiencing the action is the narrator. • Example: “I was only two-thirds up the wall when the sleet started to freeze onto the black terra-cotta” (Peak, Roland Smith, P.3).

19. 3rd Person – Stories or books written in the 3rd person have someone outside the action narrating. Either someone familiar with the main character(s) or someone who is observing the action from outside the story is the narrator. • Example: “There was a sudden crash to his side-so fast he hadn’t heard any preliminary movement-and a white-tail doe flew out of the brush to his right” (Brian’s Return, Gary Paulsen, p. 64).

20. Stop and Read! • Take out your silent reading book and read a page. Whose point of view is the story written from? Find an example to share

21. Symbolic Language In the poetry discussions that we have every week we discuss symbolic language short stories and novels also rely on these descriptive devices. Imagery, simile, metaphor help us to better understand what we read and bring us into the story. Use these elements to help make your writing stronger.