PowerPoint Presentation by JoAnn Yaworski CHAPTER 6 Copyright © 2003 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

PowerPoint Presentation by JoAnn Yaworski

CHAPTER 6

Copyright © 2003 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

• Place:Place: the location or geographical area where the action occurs

• Time:Time: the time of day, season, or historical period when the action occurs

• Atmosphere:Atmosphere: the emotions associated with the story’s physical environment

CHAPTER 6: Prose Fiction


Authors establish setting setting either through direct statements or inference of the following:

• The action progresses toward a believable conclusion.

• Individual incidents or episodes are connected logically.



The plot plot of a story refers to the action—the sequence of events:

What What happened?happened?

Why did it Why did it happen?happen?

What was the outcome?What was the outcome?

What will happen What will happen next?next?

• Characters defy society or other individuals.• Characters cope with dangerous

surroundings• Characters struggle with their own emotions



Conflicts Conflicts occur in the plot to create moments of tension:

(Continued)

• Outside narrator• Character narrator



The narratornarrator tells the story and determines the way you see people, actions, and situations—the point of point of viewview. There are two types of narrator:

• Does not participate in the conflict of the story

• Usually is not a character, but a voice relating a story from a distance

• Recounts the characters’ experiences and may tell you about their thoughts and feelings as if able to read their minds



The outside narrator . . .

(Continued)

• Is invented by the author to tell the story

• Participates in the action• Gives a firsthand report of what he or

she is experiencing



The character narrator . . .

(Continued)

• Outside narrator’s comments• Other character’s comments• Dialogue• Scenes depicting characters in action



Characterization Characterization refers to the methods an author uses to present his or her characters:

• How a character looks• Background information• What a character is thinking



With an outside narrator, you learn about a character from the narrator’s point of view in relating . . .

(Continued)

• Comments about the other characters• Descriptions of the other characters• Relationships with other characters



When a character is a narrator, you learn about the narrator and the other characters he or she knows through the narrator’s . . .

(Continued)

• What is the topic of conversation?• What is the literal meaning of the

speaker’s statements?• Does the speaker’s tone emphasize or

change the literal meaning?• What does the dialogue reveal about the

character’s personality and background?• What does the dialogue reveal about the

character’s relationship with others?



When reading dialogue, ask yourself the following questions to help you learn about the characters:

(Continued)

• Is the character drawn toward threatening or safe situations?

• Does the character behave responsibly or irresponsibly?

• Do the character’s motives show selfishness, adventure, or concern for others?



When reading a scene depicting characters in action, ask yourself the following questions to help you learn about the characters:

(Continued)



A similesimile is a comparison using the word Iike or as.

A metaphormetaphor is an implied comparison in which the writer states that something is something else.

The years folded up like The years folded up like pocket handkerchiefs.pocket handkerchiefs.

The passing years have become The passing years have become folded handkerchiefs.folded handkerchiefs.



To interpret figurative language . . .

(Continued)

1) Identify the comparison between two different things.

2)Picture the two images being compared.

3)Determine the author’s purpose in making the comparison.



The themetheme is the underlying meaning of a story. It is usually based on one of the following subjects:

• Beliefs and opinions about life• Attitudes toward political or social

issues• Perceptions about human nature and

relationships



The following fictional elements often suggest the theme of a story:

• The influence of the setting on the characters and their actions

• The significance of important events• The characters’ observations about life

and human behavior• The author’s comments and

observations about life and human behavior

• The language the author uses to tell the story

(Continued)



THE THE ENDENDPractice the skills you learned in this chapter by

taking the Chapter Review QuizChapter Review Quiz or the GED GED Practice QuizPractice Quiz.

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PowerPoint Presentation by JoAnn Yaworski CHAPTER 6 Copyright © 2003 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc