Characteristics of …….

NOVELSPLAYS

SHORT STORIESPOEMS

NOVELS Long works of fiction (a made up

story) generally 200 pages or more.

Most flexible type of literature. May have the excitement of drama, commentary (information) of an essay and imagery of poetry.

Use five main literary elements: Plot~ sequence of events that take place in a storyCharacters~ have complex and complete personalities Conflict~ makes the reader care about the storySetting~ the time and place the story occursTheme~ is the major idea the author is trying to get across the reader

PLAYS

Follows the format of novels ~ plot, characterization, setting, conflict, and theme

Organized into acts or scenes as transitional devices not paragraphs and chapters.

Rarely does the narrator speak directly to the audience

Uses natural dialogue to reveal the characters.

All elements of drama are used: stage directions, scene settings, ect…

Created primarily to be presented in public, not read silently.

Types of Plays: comedy, tragedy, and histories.

SHORT STORIES Can usually be read in one sitting. There are four major literary

elements in use: plot, setting, characters, and theme

Focuses on one incident or problem, single plot, single setting over a short period of time, and limited number of characters

These stories typically have an abrupt beginning, with the story starting in the middle of the action.

Plots of S.S. have a climax, crisis and turning-point.

Endings of many S.S. are just as abrupt and may not have a moral or practical lesson. Read only for enjoyment.

POETRYA form of literature that may be

spoken or written.Emphasizes rhythm, sound, and

imagery.

Oldest forms of poetry are: epic ~ long narrative poem centered around a herolyric~ short poem expressing intense emotion

Characteristic that makes poetry different, use of many kinds of repetition.

Examples of Short Stories

Examples of Novels

Examples of Plays

Poetry

References http://encarta.msn.com/text_761568296_0

/Poetry.html http://encarta.msn.com/text_761560384_0

/Novel.html http://www.horton.ednet.ns.ca/staff/scottb

ennett/web/Short%20Stories.htm http://encarta.msn.com/text_761559304_0

/Short_Story.html