The Basic Elements of a Story

The Basic Elements of a Story

Ms. Martin/Mr. Doran/Mrs.Sepp

Mastery English 8

Ms. Martin/Mr. Doran/Mrs.Sepp

Mastery English 8

Setting Setting Setting is the place and time in which the

story takes place. There may be multiple settings in a story, especially in novels.

Setting is the place and time in which the story takes place. There may be multiple settings in a story, especially in novels.

18th Century London Theater

Imagery Imagery Consists of words and phrases that appeal

to readers’ senses. Writers use sensory details to help readers imagine how things look, feel, smell, sound, and taste.

“With wonder, she ran her fingers over the beautiful marble horses that stood along the edge of the pool and gazed down at the water with opaque eyes” (Hosseini 28).

Consists of words and phrases that appeal to readers’ senses. Writers use sensory details to help readers imagine how things look, feel, smell, sound, and taste.

“With wonder, she ran her fingers over the beautiful marble horses that stood along the edge of the pool and gazed down at the water with opaque eyes” (Hosseini 28).

PlotPlot

The series of events that make up a story.

The series of events that make up a story.

The Parts of a Plot-Freytag’s PyramidThe Parts of a Plot-Freytag’s Pyramid

Exposition- This is the opening of a story where the setting, main characters and the conflict is introduced.

Rising action- This is the part of the story where the character(s) struggles with a problem.

Climax - This is the height of the action where the conflict is resolved. Resolution - This is where the loose ends of the story are tied up.

Exposition- This is the opening of a story where the setting, main characters and the conflict is introduced.

Rising action- This is the part of the story where the character(s) struggles with a problem.

Climax - This is the height of the action where the conflict is resolved. Resolution - This is where the loose ends of the story are tied up.

Climax

Exposition ResolutionRising ActionFalling action

Narrator-the teller of the storyNarrator-the teller of the story ▪ Point of View: the perspective from

which the story is told • First-person- the narrator is a character

in the story and uses first-person pronouns, such as I , me, we, and us.

• Third-person- the narrator is not a character; he or she uses third-person pronouns, such as he, she, it, they, them.

▪ Point of View: the perspective from which the story is told

• First-person- the narrator is a character in the story and uses first-person pronouns, such as I , me, we, and us.

• Third-person- the narrator is not a character; he or she uses third-person pronouns, such as he, she, it, they, them.

CharacterizationCharacterization •Characterization: Characterization includes

all the techniques writers use to create and develop characters. There are four basic methods of developing a character.

1. Presenting the character’s words and actions

2. Presenting the character’s thoughts 3. Describing the character’s appearance 4. Showing what others think about the

character

•Characterization: Characterization includes all the techniques writers use to create and develop characters. There are four basic methods of developing a character.

1. Presenting the character’s words and actions

2. Presenting the character’s thoughts 3. Describing the character’s appearance 4. Showing what others think about the

character

Static/Dynamic CharactersStatic/Dynamic Characters

• Static characters [flat]: characters who change little, if at all, throughout the literary work.

• Dynamic characters [round]: characters who change significantly throughout the work.

• Static characters [flat]: characters who change little, if at all, throughout the literary work.

• Dynamic characters [round]: characters who change significantly throughout the work.

ConflictConflictConflict: is the struggle between two opposing forces Internal Conflict- Man vs. self External conflict - Man vs. Man

Man vs. NatureMan vs. society

Conflict: is the struggle between two opposing forces Internal Conflict- Man vs. self External conflict - Man vs. Man

Man vs. NatureMan vs. society

Theme Theme A theme is a message,

moral or idea that the author wants to impart to the audience through the story.

Themes can be complex or they can be as simple as the story of “The Tortoise and the Hare” theme, slow and steady winds the race.

A theme is a message, moral or idea that the author wants to impart to the audience through the story.

Themes can be complex or they can be as simple as the story of “The Tortoise and the Hare” theme, slow and steady winds the race.

SymbolismSymbolism

Symbol: A symbol is a person, a place, an object, or an action that stands for something beyond itself. For example, the bald eagle is a symbol of the United States.

Symbol: A symbol is a person, a place, an object, or an action that stands for something beyond itself. For example, the bald eagle is a symbol of the United States.

Finally, Finally, Figurative Language: Authors use figurative

language to create fresh and original descriptions. Figurative expressions, while not literally true, help readers picture ordinary things in new ways.

Simile: comparison between two unlike things using like or as

Metaphor-This is a stated or implied comparison between two relatively unlike things using a form of “to be.” The comparison is not always announced by “like or as.” Example: “Juliet is the sun.”

Figurative Language: Authors use figurative language to create fresh and original descriptions. Figurative expressions, while not literally true, help readers picture ordinary things in new ways.

Simile: comparison between two unlike things using like or as

Metaphor-This is a stated or implied comparison between two relatively unlike things using a form of “to be.” The comparison is not always announced by “like or as.” Example: “Juliet is the sun.”

Figurative Language Figurative Language Personification-A figure of speech which gives the qualities

of a person to an animal, an object, or an idea. It is a comparison which the author uses to show something in an entirely new light, to communicate a certain feeling or attitude towards it and to control the way a reader perceives it. Example: The moon winked. The trees waved to us. The rock told a story.

HyperboleAn exaggerated statement used to heighten effect. It is not used to mislead the reader, but to emphasize a point. Example: She told me a million times.

Personification-A figure of speech which gives the qualities of a person to an animal, an object, or an idea. It is a comparison which the author uses to show something in an entirely new light, to communicate a certain feeling or attitude towards it and to control the way a reader perceives it. Example: The moon winked. The trees waved to us. The rock told a story.

HyperboleAn exaggerated statement used to heighten effect. It is not used to mislead the reader, but to emphasize a point. Example: She told me a million times.