The Elements of Fiction:

1. The Elements of Fiction: Important literary devices

2. Learning Standards: 3.7 Recognize and understand the significance of various literary devices, including figurative language, imagery, allegory, and symbolism, and explain their appeal. I can explain what a literary device is, find it in a story, and explain why it is used.

3. Learning Standard #2: 3.4 Determine characters' traits by what the characters say about themselves in narration, dialogue, dramatic monologue, and soliloquy. I can tell about a character’s personality by what he or she says and does.

4. Learning Standard #3: 3.3 Analyze interactions between main and subordinate characters in a literary text (e.g., internal and external conflicts, motivations, relationships, influences) and explain the way those interactions affect the plot. I can explain how characters interact and how it affects the story line.

5. Elements of Fiction: The parts of a story

6. Conflict The dramatic struggle between two opposing forces in the story. Without conflict, there would be no plot.

7. Types of Conflict: External

8. Man vs. Nature

9. Man vs. Technology

10. Man vs. Man

11. Man vs. Society

12. Types of Conflict: Internal Human vs. Self Usually a decision

13. Plot Describes the structure of the story. Shows the arrangement of events and actions within a story.

14. 1. Exposition Usually occurs at the beginning of a short story. Here the characters are introduced. We also learn the setting of the story. We are introduced to the main conflict.

15. 2. Rising Action Where the conflict develops. Builds interest or suspense. There may be more than one issue.

16. 3. Climax The turning point of the story. Usually the main character comes face to face with a conflict. This may change the main character.

17. 4. Falling Action The conflict(s) and climax are resolved All loose ends of the plot are tied up. No new conflicts are introduced.

18. 5. Resolution The story comes to a reasonable ending. Not every story has one

19. Putting It All Together 1. Exposition Rising Action ( External / Internal Conflict ) 2. Climax Falling Action ( External / Internal Conflict ) 3. Resolution Beginning of Story Turning Point for characters End of Story

20. Methods of Characterization Direct Characterization: Things we know about the character because we are told directly. Indirect Characterization: Revealing a character’s personality through… Thoughts or words Actions Physical appearance What other characters say about them Also known as inferring

21. Direct and Indirect Characterization Example 1: Julie owned a multitude of outfits and accessories, and it always took her forever to decide which combination might impress Trent. As usual, she called her sister several times for advice. After doing so, Julie decided to give the navy blue skirt with the white sweater a try. Direct Example 2: Julie held up six different outfits in front of the mirror and pondered which would go best with her navy blue shoes, pastel eye shadow and the diamond earrings she’d already procured from her overflowing vanity. After ninety minutes of mixing and matching, and cell-phoning her sister three times for advice, Julie finally made up her mind. She’d give the navy blue skirt and white sweater a try, hoping Trent would love it. Indirect

22. CHARACTER TRAIT What we infer about a character’s PERSONALITY Not physically She is selfish He is courageous She is prideful He is arrogant Max is immature

23. Characters Protagonist: • the main character in a literary work • frequently a good guy • Antagonist: • the character or force in conflict with the protagonist

24. Character Development The DYNAMIC character One who undergoes a permanent change during the story May be positive or negative • The ROUND character • This character is complex with multiple personality traits • May show faults & virtues • TheFLAT character • Usually stereotyped, shallow, or symbolic • One or two personality traits present • The STATIC character • One who does not change or grow during the story

25. Motivation Reason for a character’s thoughts, actions, etc. MONEY FEAR PRIDE FAME LOVE

26. Setting Where the story takes place geographical location (ex. California, Paris) the time period (ex. 1990, WWII) the socio-economic condition of the area (ex. wealthy suburbs, inner city) the specific room, building, etc. (ex. Chemistry lab, a log cabin)

27. Mood The feeling or atmosphere of the story. “During the whole of a dull, dark and soundless day, when the clouds hung oppressively low from the heavens, I have been passing alone, on horseback, through a singularly dreary track of country.” “The Fall of the House of Usher” Edgar Allan Poe

28. Suspense Feeling of uncertainty or curiosity about events in a story. …an example of suspense fiction as with a dark, dark cat we enter a dark, dark house and walk slowly, page by page, up the dark, dark stairs and into a dark, dark room where we open a dark, dark cupboard and discover… “A Dark, Dark Tale”

29. Style The way a piece of literature is written, spoken, or performed Not what is said, but how it is said Impacted by: word choice, sentence length, tone, figurative language, and point of view “Style is an expression of individualism”

30. Tone The attitude the writer takes toward a subject “Tone can be as important as text.” Edward Koch “Don’t look at me in that tone of voice.” David Farber

31. Easily Confused Terms • Moral: a lesson the author wants the reader to learn • Example:Don’t take candy from a stranger • Motif: an idea repeated throughout a piece of literature • Usually just one word • Example: If characters are repeatedly forced to make decisions about people and whether or not to trust them, a motif in the story might be “trust” or “decisions” • Theme: message about life or human nature • A complete sentence • Example: In life, it can be hard to know who to trust.

32. Point of View • The perspective from which the story is told. • Who is telling the story? • How do we know what is happening?

33. First Person Point of View • Told from someone inside the story • Uses “I” “Remembering – and this time it didn’t hurt – a quiet, defeated looking, sixteen year old whose hair needed cutting badly and who had a frightened expression to them. And I decided I could tell people.” The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

34. Third Person Point of View Told from someone outside the story Uses “he,” “she,” or “they”

35. First Person vs Third Person Example 1: She said, “I want to go to the store tonight to get some ice cream.” However, she knew that she was grounded. Third Person First Person • Example 2: I didn’t know whether or not to ask my teacher for help, but I decided I should. She ended up being very helpful and I understood the material much better.

36. Third Person Limited P.o.V The author tells the story Sees into the mind of only one character Third Person Omniscient P.o.V • The author tells the story • Sees into the mind of many characters

37. Cause and Effect When one thing leads to another My dog made friends with a skunk. Now I’m giving my dog a bath.

38. Foreshadowing • Once upon a time, there was a little girl who lived with her mother. Her mother asked her to take her old and lonely grandmother some food one day."Don't stop along the way. Go straight to your Grandma's house and back. Don't talk to any strangers and watch out for the wolf in the woods! Now get along!" Clues that hint at future events and outcomes

39. Foreboding • The wolf went up to Little Red Riding Hood and told her that he knew a shortcut. Little Red Riding Hood thought back to what her mother told her. “Don’t talk to any strangers and watch out for the wolf in the woods!”But it was too late, she had already listened to the wolf’s directions. Foreshadowing of something bad

40. Allusion An allusion is a reference to a well known literary work, work of art, person, place, or historical event. “At lovers’ perjuries, they say Jove laughs.” (Romeo and Juliet, Act II, Sc. 2) Jove is another name for Jupiter, the Roman King of the Gods.

41. Irony: The difference between appearance and reality • Situational Irony • The opposite of what you expect to happen, actually does • Verbal Irony • Sarcasm • Example “You’re a genious, Mouth” • Dramatic Irony - • The audience knows something the characters do not.

42. Figurative Language • Imagery • writing that appeals to one or more of the five senses • taste, touch, sight, sound, smell • Simile • comparing two unlike things • Using “like,” “as,” or “than” • My love is like a red, red rose • Metaphor • comparing two unlike things directly • ”…What light through yonder window breaks?  It is the East and Juliet is the sun!”

43. Author’s Purpose Making Inferences • Why the author wrote the piece • To persuade / inform / mock… • Using information in the story, and common sense, to make logical guesses • The author’s purpose • Characters • Main Ideas • Narrators

44. Plot Summary / Précis Briefly retelling the story in your own words