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Narrative Techniques

Analyzing Prose the AP Way

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Plot

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Plot terms Dramatic situation: the situation in the narrative that causes

conflict; our understanding of what went on before the exposition Exposition: the author’s explanation of the nature of the conflict

in the plot; the opening portion of a narrative that sets the scene, introduces the characters, tells what happened before and provides background information

Unstable situation: introduction of specific conflict; sets plot in motion

Complications: new, minor developments in conflict Crisis: a moment of high tension Climax: turning point in the conflict; the moment of greatest

tension at which point the outcome is decided Falling action: events that lead to resolution Denouement (resolution): the final part of a play, movie, or

narrative in which the strands of the plot are drawn together and matters are explained or resolved

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Analytical questions involving plotLooking closely at conflict reveals the

values the author associates with each side of the conflict.

Noting this can lead to an understanding of the author’s intent in regard to theme and to character.

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Characterization

Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights

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Characterization termsSimple (flat)Stock characterComplex (round)StaticDynamicRelated term: epiphany

(causes change in character)

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Techniques for revealing character:

1) Directly – telling us what he / she wants us to know

2) Indirectly – showing readers what a character is like by…

What they say to one anotherWhat others say about characterWhat they think and sayWhat they doProviding external details (appearance in

general)

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Analytical QuestionsWhat is the character like? What are

his/her traits?How did the author create character –

what techniques were used?If the character changes, how so?What causes the change?What does character learn?How real is the character?

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Setting…and atmosphere

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Setting…it’s more than meets the eye!It can make things happen, prompt

characters to act, bring them to realizations, or cause them to reveal their inner natures.

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Time, place and weather…it all can make a difference!The historical time period may be crucial…

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Setting and social environmentSocial environment – the manners, customs,

rituals, and codes of conduct of a particular time and place

Can greatly impact the story as well!

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Atmosphere: the emotional reaction to the setting for reader and characterThe importance of atmosphere: gets the reader

feeling whatever the storyteller wants us to feel.

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Setting: Analytical questions

How long does it take for the action to occur?How is the passage of time perceived by the

characters?What does the author seem to think about the

social conventions of the time period? How do these affect character?

The primary analytical task is to connect setting and theme, either directly or through character development. Thinking critically about questions 1-3 will help you get there.

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Point of ViewNarrative Voice

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Point of View

Important when…1. It emphasizes one

character’s perceptions

2. We suspect the trustworthiness of the narrator

Remember…POV is all about who is

telling the story

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Type of POV: narrator as participant (first person)Major character (protagonist)

Minor character

Epistolary narrative

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Narrator as nonparticipant — 3rd person Omniscient = narrator knows everything about all characters and

events in a story; can move from character to character with no restrictions.

Limited Omniscient = all-knowing narrator of either one or a select few characters in a story – not everyone.

Editorial omniscient = omniscient narrator presents the thoughts and actions of the characters but does comment, judge, and interject opinion

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Other points of view…Dramatic or objective: describes events

from the outside. Also known as “the fly on the wall.”

Stream of consciousness: presentation of thoughts and sensory impressions in a lifelike, random manner.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBWrMQVsuakInterior monologue: extended presentation

of a character’s thoughts, but not in a random fashion; presented purposefully.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onunI7e5DpE

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Narrative voiceTerm used to describe how the narrator tells

the story.It is the voice, sometimes of a character in

the story, sometimes an unseen voice, that provides background information, insights, or describes the action of a scene.

POV is related to this as it is difficult to discuss narrative voice without mentioning the type of POV, but it involves thinking of and discussing the narrator as a character.

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Typical Narrative VoicesNarrator — the teller of the storyReliable narrator (trustworthy)Unreliable narrator (untrustworthy)Naïve narrator — uncomprehending: a child

or simple-minded adult who narrates without realizing true implications

Intrusive narrator — keeps interrupting the narrative to address the reader

Impartial narrator — presents thoughts and actions of characters without judgment

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POV and Narrative Voice analytical questions

Why has the author chosen this point of view?What effects does this have on other elements —

characterization, theme, setting, language?How does the POV effect the reader’s

perceptions?If the point of view is first person, can we trust

the speaker? Is the narrator telling the story to someone?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqSIRsmu7DEWho is the speaker? How does he/she impact our

understanding of the events of the story?Is the narrative voice ironic?

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Ironic narrative voiceWhen we note a sharp distinction

between the narrator’s attitude and the author’s, irony is the result.

For example: In “Gimpel the Fool”, Gimpel insists on trusting people, but the author makes it clear that the people Gimpel trusts are always tricking him.

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IronyAn introduction

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Irony makes clear a contrast between appearance and reality

An incongruity between what is and what seems to be:

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An incongruity between what is and what ought to be

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An incongruity between what is and what one expects…

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Types of Irony1) Verbal irony: people say the opposite of

what they mean Understatement and overstatement are

types of verbal irony Represents mental agility or wit In its most bitter and destructive form,

verbal irony becomes sarcasm2) Sarcasm = to condemn while

pretending to praise.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaUnELYy2C0

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Irony types continued…2) Situational irony: when the situation is

different from what common sense indicates it should be.

Author’s use this to expose hypocrisy and injustice

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fHA7_vPhno

3) Attitudinal irony: results from what one person expects, but most would not. Here, one individual thinks that reality is one way when it absolutely is not. Naïve characters often furnish this type of irony.

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Irony analytical questions What are the ironies in the work?How are they important in creating

meaning?If characters use verbal irony, why?Are character’s aware of the situational

ironies?Are we supposed to admire characters

who misconstrue the world, or are we to blame them for being naïve and deluded?

What effect does dramatic irony have on the plot and on our perceptions of character?

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ToneAn introduction

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ToneDefinition: writer’s attitude toward his / her

subjectWe can infer this attitude by close attention to

the author’s choice of details, images, diction, and syntax.

Like a tone of voice, the tone of a story can communicate amusement, anger, affection, sorrow, contempt…the options are nearly endless.

Shifts in tone throughout a story help to create its structure.

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Different authors, different tonesFaulkner’s “Barn Burning”

Hemingway’s “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place”

“Don’t you want me to help?” he whispered. His father did not answer and now he heard again that stiff foot striking the hollow portico with that wooden and clocklike deliberation, that outrageous overstatement of weight it carried.”

“The waiter took the brandy bottle and another saucer from the counter inside the café and marched out to the old man’s table.”