Elements of Literature The Ingredients of Stories

1. Elements of LiteratureThe Ingredients of Stories Most people know a good book or story when they read one. But, can you tell exactly what the author did to create such an appealing story? Can you discuss the elements in the story that you liked so much? Well, with the following terminology, you can discuss literature with authors, using their language. PowerPoint Created by Amelie Cromer-6th Grade TLC English Resource: The Write Source 2000

2. CharacterizationThe author’s way of explaining or developing the people in his/her story so the reader feels as if he/she knows the characters & can anticipate their actions. 5 Ways an Author can Develop a Character: • Share the character’s thoughts • Describe his/her appearance in the story • Reveal what others in the story think about the character • Describe the character’s actions • Quote the character’s speech

3. Character Types Characters are either FLAT or ROUND AND Either STATIC or DYNAMIC • Flat: a character that is not well developed; few traits, details, or relationships are made clear; doesn’t come alive to reader • Round:complex character; well-rounded with lots of details about the character, many traits become known, relationships with other characters are clear.

4. Character Types...cont'd • Static: a character whose personality doesn’t change throughout the story; • Ex. begins as a snob and ends a snob; begins as shy and remains shy • Dynamic: a character who undergoes a personality change during the story due to some type of conflict; • Ex. was shy and becomes brave; was selfish and becomes generous

5. Setting: time & place of the story Protagonist: the main character; often the good guy or hero of the story Antagonist: the person or force fighting against the protagonist or good guy; the good guy’s problem (divorce, bully, death, war, Voldemort, etc.)

6. Plot:the story’s action; revolves around a conflict 5 Parts of Plot: • Exposition: beginning; introduces setting, characters, conflict • Rising Action: main part of the story; protagonist begins to work through problem & other small problems may arise to keep the story moving  continued on next slide 

7. Brain Break!

8. Plot: cont’d • Climax: most exciting part; usually the turning point where character comes face to face w/ antagonist • Falling Action: leads to ending; the clean-up crew • Resolution: end of story; problem is solved but may hint at a new problem to come

9. Point of View: angle from which a story is told; who’s telling it 2 Points of View: • First Person:one of the characters is telling the story; You will I, me, we (but do not count these if they are ONLY in dialogue quotes only) • Third Person: someone (narrator) outside the story is telling it; 3 types • 3rd Person Omniscient (All-knowing): narrator knows thoughts & feelings of all characters

10. Point of View…cont’d • Third Person: cont’d • 3rd Person Limited Omniscient: only knows thoughts & feelings of some characters • Camera View: narrator shares no thoughts or feelings of characters

11. Mood: the feeling a reader gets from the story; the reader owns this emotion Tone: the writer’s attitude towards subject; serious, funny, sarcastic, thrilling, etc. Theme: the subject or message being written about (love, hate, friendship, etc.) Moral: the lesson the author is trying to teach (those who plot revenge, perish in the end; beauty is only skin deep)

12. Characterization There are two ways that writers teach us about characters: • Direct Characterization —when the author TELLS you what the character is like. • Indirect Characterization— when the author shows you what the character is like. Indirect is the most common.