Literary Element Analysis Quiz:Feedback and ReflectionUse the feedback from this quiz to prepare for the literary elements test (this Tuesday/Wednesday). You will need to define, identify, and analyze: character, plot, conflict, point of view, and irony.

I want you to learn how to write without 1st and 2nd person pronouns.DO NOT use 1st or 2nd person pronouns (I, you, we,

us, our). This is explicitly stated in the directions.The purpose for not using these pronouns is that it

will never be appropriate for academic, formal writing. Unless the assignment is to write a personal narrative, creative piece, or journal response, you should never use 1st or 2nd person pronouns because:

These pronouns make your writing sound juvenile and less-credible.

DefinitionsReview your definitions. If your definitions are

incorrect, it is very hard to correctly identify and analyze.

Round character- character who exhibits a variety of character traits

Flat character- a character who exhibits only one or two main character traits. It is incorrect to define flat characters as boring.

DefinitionsDynamic character- a character who changes

during the course of the story (usually brought by conflict).

Static character- a character who does not change over the course of the story.

Internal conflict- conflict a character has within himself

External conflict- conflict between a character and an external force, such as another character, nature, or society.

Identification- Roger Roger: round and dynamic

It’s true that Roger does not exhibit the same obvious roundness as Ms. Jones. However, the change that he undergoes throughout the story allows the reader to see drastically different sides of his personality- from the hooligan trying to mug a woman on the street, to a shy, apprehensive boy, to a grateful young man who is finally able to return the trust and respect that was given to him by another. All of these characteristics make him a round character.

Because change brings about growth, it is difficult for a character to be dynamic and flat.

However, it is possible for a character to be round and static.

Mrs. Jones: round and static

Mrs. Jones exhibits many different personality traits, from a tough, no-nonsense woman trying to teach a young man a lesson to a motherly woman giving a hungry boy a free meal, to a humble friend, relating her own past mistakes to Roger.

Mrs. Jones does not change in the story. Instead, she serves as the catalyst which brings about a significant change in Roger.

Identification- Mrs. Jones

The MAIN Conflict: The main conflict of the story (what the story is truly about) is

Roger’s internal conflict. His external conflict with Mrs. Jones on the street is only a minor one that serves to bring about his own internal struggle to decide if he can and should trust Mrs. Jones, as he desperately wants.

He is trying to reconcile his image as the boy on the street, mugging a woman to get fancy shoes with the lost boy who wants to be trusted and cared for. He is confused because he doesn’t know how to go about getting what he wants.

Definition of Analysis:

noun the process of breaking down a something into its

parts to learn what they do and how they relate to one another.

When analyzing literary elements, you should look at how the elements are established in a text, how they work within the text, and how they work together to create meaning.

Analysis

The directions tell you to analyze in terms of the literary elements. Conflict and narration are mentioned specifically. If I circled these terms on your paper, it is because you did not address them in your analysis. Your analysis should discuss how conflict and narration characterize Roger and Mrs. Jones.

Do not simply describe each character or his/her actions. For example, don’t just say that Mrs. Jones is wise, caring, and strong. Explain how these attributes create a round character who provides important internal conflict for Roger through her sometimes drastically different actions.

Do not summarize the story or actions of the characters.

A Strong Analysis: Uses the literary elements to analyze the characters. The

directions tell you to discuss how conflict and narration contributes to character. We’ve also discussed the terms flat, round, static and dynamic in relation to characterization. You should analyze characters in relation to these literary elements.

Uses strong quotes from the text to show how the actions and conflict contribute to that character being round/flat and static/dynamic.

Summary/Description Example (don’t do this): Mrs. Jones is a tough woman, both physically and mentally.

When she drags Roger back to her home, the reader can see that she is physically strong. However, she is also a very caring, motherly figure to Roger. She makes dinner for him and is kind to him, even though he tried to steal from her. She even shows Roger that she trusts him by leaving the door open for him to leave. Mrs. Jones has a past similar to Roger and she confides in him that at one time, she made similar mistakes.

This is not analysis. This describes Mrs. Jones, but does not analyze her in literary terms.

Strong Analysis Example The external conflict between Roger and Mrs. Jones at the beginning of

the story reveals Mrs. Jones as a strong, no-nonsense woman who takes care of herself. As she drags Roger home, it is clear that she is not afraid of confronting her attacker. Her moxie is described by the way she, “picked the boy up by his shirt front, and shook him until his teeth rattled.” However, she is established as a round character when a completely different side of her personality is demonstrated at her home. She tenderly takes care of Roger, cooks for him, gives him advice, and provides the trust he so desperately wants. In fact, when she leaves the door open for him to leave at any moment, she creates the internal conflict needed for Roger to grow and change as a person. However, Mrs. Jones, unlike Roger, remains a static character. She is the same mix of toughness and tenderness throughout the story. The conflict between she and Roger serves as a catalyst for Roger’s internal conflict and change, not hers. For this reason, Hughes uses 3rd person limited narration to show the reader Roger’s internal thoughts and conflict, but not Mrs. Jones.

Make an improvement plan: Think back to the points made in this PowerPoint.

Use your quiz to determine what areas you need to improve.

Can you define, identify, analyze? If not, which one(s)?

Keep in mind that you’ll need to be able to define, identify, analyze any one of the five literary elements covered on the test: character, plot, point of view, conflict, and irony. The test may or may not cover the same elements as the quiz.

What do you need to do to improve for the test? Write out your plan.