Elements of Literature

TURN TO PAGE 24 IN ELA SURVIVAL GUIDE BE PREPARED TO HIGHLIGHT! Stick with the same color for all of 1st Semester! Fiction: literature based on the author’s imagination Short Story: a short fictional piece of writing (1-20 pages) that can usually be read in one setting Plot (definition)

• Plot is the organized pattern or sequence of events that make up a story. • Plot is the literary element that describes the structure of a story. It shows arrangement of events and actions within a story. Parts of a Plot Exposition - introduction; characters, setting and conflict (problem) are introduced Rising Action- events that occur as result of central conflict Climax- highest point of interest or suspense of a story Falling Action - tension eases; events show the results of how the main character begins to resolve the conflict Resolution- loose ends are tied up; the conflict is solved Plot Diagram 3

4 2 1 5 Point of View: the vantage point from which the story is told • First Person Point of View- a character from the story is telling the story; uses the pronouns “I” and “me” • Third Person Point of View- an outside narrator is telling the story; uses the pronouns “he”, “she”, “they”  Types of Third-Person Point of View Third-Person Third-Person Limited Omniscient The narrator knows The narrator knows the thoughts and the thoughts and feelings on only feeling of ALL the ONE character in a characters in a story. story. PLOT Exposition: the part of the plot that gives background information to set up the story

1. Setting

2. Main Characters 3. Basic or Background Situation/Information (What does the character want?) Setting: where and when the story takes place • Time: by clock, • Place: where, month, season, year, physical description, era, etc. weather, state, country, etc. Setting Time and place are where the action occurs

Details that describe:  Furniture  Scenery  Customs  Transportation  Clothing  Dialects  Weather  Time of day  Time of year The Functions of a Setting

To create a mood or atmosphere To show a reader a different way of life To make action seem more real To be the source of conflict or struggle To symbolize an idea Characters

• The person, animals, and things participating in a story Character: a person, animal, animation in a work of fiction

• Protagonist: the main character in a work of fiction. The protagonist is the main character of the story, the one with whom the reader identifies. This person is not necessary “good”. • Antagonist: another character that is opposing the main character. The antagonist is the force in opposition of the protagonist; this person may not be “bad” or “evil”, but he/she opposes the protagonist in a significant way – Static Character: a character that does not change – Dynamic Character: a character that changes as a result of the story’s events Characterization: the way a writer reveals the personality of a character.

• Direct Characterization: the writer directly states some aspect of a character’s personality. EXAMPLE: Geoff was one of the smartest students in the class.

• Indirect Characterization: the reader learns about a character through thoughts, feelings, actions, dialogue, physical descriptions, etc. EXAMPLE: Geoff always gets A’s on his tests and is on honor rolls. PLOT

• Inciting Action: the event that begins the conflict

WHERE THE ACTION BEGINS! Conflict Conflict is the dramatic struggle between two forces in a story. Without conflict, there is no plot. CONFLICT

• External Conflict: a • Internal Conflict: a character struggles with struggle that takes place an outside force (another within the character’s character, nature, society, own mind (opposing etc.) desires, needs, emotions, etc.) Types of External Conflict

Character vs Character

Character vs Nature

Character vs Society

Character vs Fate

Internal Conflict PLOT

• Rising Action: where the character takes steps to resolve the conflict; also known as complications – These may be obstacles that the character must get past to solve the ultimate problem known as the CONFLICT. 2. Rising Action • This part of the story begins to develop the conflict(s). A building of interest or suspense occurs and leads to the climax. Complications arise PLOT

• Climax: many times it is the point in a story that creates the greatest suspense or interest. It is when the conflict of the story ends. 3. Climax • This is the turning point of the story. Usually the main character comes face to face with a conflict. The main character will change in some way. This is the most intense moment. 4. Falling Action

• Action that follows the climax and ultimately leads to the resolution PLOT

• Resolution: the final part of the story when we know what will happen to the characters 5. Resolution

• The conclusion; all loose ends are tied up. • Either the character defeats the problem, learns to live with the problem, or the problem defeats the character. Putting It All Together

1. Exposition Beginning of Story 2. Rising Action Middle of Story

3. Climax Toward the End (especially in a short story)

4. Falling Action End of Story 5. Resolution Diagram of Plot Climax

Introduction / Exposition Resolution Setting, characters, and conflict are introduced Theme The theme is the central, general message, the main idea, the controlling topic about life or people the author wants to get across through a literary work To discover the theme of a story, think big. What big message is the author trying to say about the world in which we live? What is this story telling me about how life works, or how people behave? The Theme is always stated in a sentence. It is not just one word.  The practical lesson ( moral) that we learn from a story after we read it. The lesson that teaches us what to do or how to behave after you have learned something from a story or something that has happened to you. Example: The lesson or teaching of the story is Be careful when you’re offered something for nothing. Theme is ALWAYS stated in a sentence. EXAMPLES: Family/friends help people get through adverse times.

Crime does not pay.

True love will last forever/endure all obstacles.

Sacrifices bring rewards in the end. MOOD & TONE REFER TO ELA SURVIVAL GUIDE PG. 31-32 • MOOD: Is the general atmosphere (emotions or feelings an author conveys to his readers through description of objects and settings) • TONE: Is the writer’s attitude toward the audience, the subject, or the character. – REMEMBER: TONE-A-TUDE for writer’s attitude of TONE

DICTION CREATES TONE AND MOOD! Mood • Mood is the feeling that the author tries to convey throughout the story. The atmosphere or emotional condition created by the piece, within the setting. Does the author want the reader to be frightened or sad, or does the story make the reader laugh and think happy thoughts? • To figure out mood, examine how you feel while reading the story. Often mood is conveyed by the story’s setting. PAGE 26 Flashback: an interruption in the present action of a plot to show events that happened at an earlier time PAGE 26 Irony: a contrast between expectation and reality. The following terms refer to three common types of irony: • Verbal irony: involves a contrast between what is said or written and what is really meant. If you call a baseball player “slugger”, when he just struck out, that would be verbal irony. • Situational irony: occurs when what happens is very different from what we expected would happen. When Casey strikes out after we’ve been led to believe he will save the day in “Casey at the Bat”, the poet is using situational irony. • Dramatic Irony: occurs when the audience or the reader knows something a character does not know. The Diary of Anne Frank is filled with dramatic irony because we know about the tragic fate of the people in the Secret Annex, but they do not. PAGE 26

Foreshadowing: the use of clues or hints to suggest events that will occur later in the plot. • Foreshadowing is used to build suspense or anxiety in the reader or viewer. A gun found in a drawer may foreshadow violence to come later in the story. PAGE 26 Symbolism: the practice of representing things by means of symbols or of attributing symbolic meanings or significance to objects, events, or relationships PARADOX PAGE 27 The term Paradox is from the Greek word “paradoxon” that means contrary or different to expectations, existing belief or perceived opinion. It is a statement that appears to be self-contradictory or silly but may include a hidden truth. It is also used to illustrate an opinion or statement different to accepted traditional ideas. A paradox is often used to make a reader think over an idea in an innovative way.

– Examples of Paradox • Your enemy’s friend is your enemy. • I am nobody. • “What a pity that youth must be wasted on the young.” – George Bernard Shaw • Wise fool • “I can resist anything but temptation.” – Oscar Wilde

From the above examples of paradox, we can say that paradox sometimes creates a humorous effect on the reader because of its ridiculousness. MOTIF PAGE 27 • Motif definition: A motif is an idea, object, or concept that repeats itself throughout a text. – What are motifs? A motif is a literary term that is an idea, object, or concept that repeats itself throughout a text. A motif gives clues to theme or reinforces ideas an author wants to emphasize.

Motif vs. Symbol: What’s the Difference? – A symbol is an object that represents something it is not. A common example is that a heart is a symbol for love. – A writer may use a symbol to reinforce motif. – Let’s look at an example continuing with the “death” motif from above. • A writer may place a coffin in a scene of the text. The coffin itself is a symbol for death. It is an object that represents death. The symbol of the coffin would add to the “death” motif. – Symbols may contribute to a motif. The motif reinforces theme.

A motif must be repeated throughout a text to be considered a motif. However, the motif may appear in various forms. MOTIF CONTINUED

Example of Motif in Literature: • A motif in Romeo and Juliet is “light and dark.” Some examples include: – Throughout the play, Romeo refers to Juliet as a powerful light source. – The night (moon) is no match for Juliet’s beauty. – Juliet, too, says Romeo lights her. – The lovers are “stars” that light the dark sky. – Their love is discussed as a flash of lightning. • The ideas and concepts regarding light and dark repeated above contribute to the motif throughout the play. • The motif of “light and dark” itself contributes to the theme of the play.

• Shakespeare exposes contradictions, such as light and dark, in the play in order to emphasize that Romeo and Juliet’s love was doomed from the beginning. The contrast of light and dark only furthers the idea that they, together, cannon sustain, as light and dark cannot coexist—one always cancels out the other. ALLUSION PAGE 27 • An allusion is a reference to an event (historical), literary work or person. (Even the Bible!) – EXAMPLE: • I can’t do that because I am not Superman. This refers to the comic strip character. • “I was surprised his nose was not growing like Pinocchio’s.” This refers to the story of Pinocchio, where his nose grew whenever he told a lie. It is from The Adventures of Pinocchio, written by Carlo Collodi. • “When she lost her job, she acted like a Scrooge, and refused to buy anything that wasn’t necessary.” Scrooge was an extremely stingy character from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Rikki-tikki-tavi by Rudyard Kipling

If you were facing a bully, would you fight, run away, or try to negotiate? Rikki-tikki-tavi

Build Background This story takes place in India many years ago, when the British ruled that huge country.

The family in this story lives in a cantonment, where the father is in the British army. Rikki-tikki-tavi Introducing the Story

How will the conflict between them end? Who will survive?

See who’s left standing! Cornell Notes Vocabulary immensely - enormously cowered - crouched and trembled in fear draggled -make (something) dirty or wet, typically by trailing it through mud or water: veranda- a roofed platform along the outside of a house, level with the ground floor. gait - a person's manner of walking providence - God or nature as providing protective or spiritual care Vocabulary Continued… sluice- a sliding gate or other device for controlling the flow of water masonry - stonework bungalow - a low house, with a broad front porch purchase -a hold or position on something for applying power advantageously valiant - possessing or showing courage or determination consolation - comfort http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=video+mongoose+vs+cobr a&FORM=VIRE1#view=detail&mid=B477C5B0C82B5E2996C 9B477C5B0C82B5E2996C9

Cobra Birth: http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=king%20cobras%20laying %20eggs%20underground&qs=n&form=QBVR&pq=king%20co bras%20laying%20eggs%20underground&sc=0-24&sp=- 1&sk=#view=detail&mid=308606C3AC9B4ADE063D308606C 3AC9B4ADE063D