7th Grade Language ArtsSeptember 29, 2014

EQ: 1) How do writers use imagery, flashback, and sensory details to write about an experience or event? EQ: 2) How can we use literary elements to create a masterpiece (writing)?

Warm Up for Today

Copy your agenda note.Continue your Diagnostic Test in your warm up composition.

The 5 Important Literary Elements of a Story

Character

A character is a person, or sometimes even an animal, who takes part in the action of a short story or other literary work.

Setting

The setting of a short story is the time and place in which it happens. Authors often use descriptions of landscape, scenery, buildings, seasons or weather to provide a strong sense of setting.

Plot

A plot is a series of events and character actions that relate to the central conflict.

Conflict

The conflict is a struggle between two people or things in a short story. The main character is usually on one side of the central conflict.

On the other side, the main character may struggle against another important character, against the forces of nature, against society, or even against something inside himself or herself (feelings, emotions, illness).

Theme

The theme is the central idea or belief in a short story.

Characters

The author creates characters to appear in a literary work (writing). A character can be a person, animal, or object. The way that characters in a story interact (behave) with each other is a big part of telling a story. Through the words and actions of the characters, the story comes alive for the readers.

Make Your List

Focusing on the flashback memory list that you created, think about the characters that are in your flashback. In a list format, jot down all of those characters and other characters that’s apart of your memory.

For example:Sabrina - 1st main characterAngela –2nd main characterLatashiaDorm motherMy mother

Using Sensory Details and Descriptions in Your Writing

Description/sensory details allow the author to tell how characters, look, dress, and how old they are.

Authors also use other sensory details throughout their writing to describe how events and/or items smell, sound, taste, and feel.

Expand Your List

Revisit your flashback list and describe each character using sensory details.

For Example:Sabrina – fluffy, jealous, soft, furry, whispering meow, tuna fish, sometimes unpleasant

Latashia – petite in height, unset, fair complexion

What Drives a Story?

Setting, characters, conflict

Setting

The setting is the time and place of the action. The time might be a historical era, the season, or the time of day. The place might be a country, a neighborhood, a room, etc. In many stories and movies, the setting affects the action and the characters’ feelings.

Flashback

Revisit your flashback and describe the setting

where your flashback took place.

Tell me the time, day, date, and location of

your flashback.

Conflict

ConflictThe conflict (problem) is a struggle between different forces. It is the fuel that keeps the action moving forward. There are 2 types of conflicts.External conflict – a struggle between a character and an outside force which might be another character, a group of characters, or nature.

Internal Conflict – a struggle within a character’s mind.

Let’s look at p. 24 in your Literature textbook for some examples.

Revisit your flash backDescribe the conflict in your flash back. Be sure to specific details.

Your Turn to Identify the Conflict

Now, that you have had the experience of generating a conflict within your group, working intra personally, read the two short stories on p. 25 in the literature text book.

After reading p. 25, compose your thoughts to record in your warm up composition the setting of The Clay Marble.

After reading Island of the Blue Dolphins, list the conflict and describe the conflict the girl experiences. Also, tell me if the conflict is internal or external.

Plot

A plot is a series of events and character actions that relate to the central conflict.

A typical plot can be broken down into 5 stages.

Exposition – Introduces the setting and the characters. It also sets up or hints at the conflict.

Rising Action – Builds suspense in the audience. It shows how the conflict unfolds and become more complicated.

Climax – WILL FINISIH IN CLASS!!!!!