Story Elements

Some basics that every good movie / story / book must

have ….

The time and place of the story is called

The Setting

The Setting What is the setting?

TimePlace / LocationClimate/WeatherImmediate Circumstances

What is the use of the setting?Create a moodBe the source of conflict or

struggleSymbolize an ideaMake action seem more real

CharacterizationCharacterizationA writer reveals what a character is like A writer reveals what a character is like and how the character changes and how the character changes throughout thethroughout the story.story.Two primary methods of characterization:Two primary methods of characterization:

Direct-Direct- tells what the character is like tells what the character is likeIndirectIndirect- shows what a character is like - shows what a character is like by by *describing how the character looks, *describing how the character looks, *telling what the character says and *telling what the character says and does, does, *telling what other characters say *telling what other characters say aboutabout and do in response to the characterand do in response to the character

Direct Direct CharacterizationCharacterization

Giant Black Man rapes and kills two little white girls “So we are told”

Indirect Indirect CharacterizationCharacterization

The protagonist is the “good guy”

The Antagonist is the “bad guy” or negative force

Examples of Protagonists vs. Antagonist

Green Mile Paul Wild Bill

War of the Worlds Ray Ferrier The alien invaders

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter Lord Voldemort

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

Lucy, Peter, Edmund and Susan

The White Witch

Protagonist

Antagonist

Static vs. Dynamic Characters

Static character DO NOT change in the course of the story.

Dynamic characters change and evolve in the course of the story. (Often “good guys” will become better because they have learned valuable moral lessons. “Bad guys” will become even worse for having been beaten and/or humiliated by the protagonist.)

Plot

Plot is the organized pattern or sequence of events that make up a story. Every plot is made up of a series of incidents that are related to one another.

Plot is like a rollercoaster ride

climax

exposition

dénouement/

resolution

PARTS OF PLOT Exposition – Learn about characters and setting,

possible hint of conflict Rising Action - This part of the story begins to

develop the conflict(s). A building of interest or suspense occurs. Conflict is made clear in rising action.

Climax - This is the turning point of the story. Usually the main character comes face to face with a conflict. The main character will change in some way.

Falling Action - All loose ends of the plot are tied up. The conflict(s) and climax are taken care of.

Resolution/Denouement - The story comes to a reasonable ending. Characters return to life without conflict…

Conflict Conflict is a struggle between opposing Conflict is a struggle between opposing

forcesforces Every plot must contain some kind of Every plot must contain some kind of

conflict. Without conflict, there is no plot.conflict. Without conflict, there is no plot. Stories can have more than one conflictStories can have more than one conflict Conflicts can be external or internalConflicts can be external or internal

External conflictExternal conflict- outside force may be - outside force may be person, group, animal, nature, or a person, group, animal, nature, or a nonhuman obstaclenonhuman obstacle

Internal conflictInternal conflict- takes place in a - takes place in a character’s mindcharacter’s mind

Types of Conflict

Character vs Character

Character vs Nature

Character vs Society

Character vs Self

This type of conflict finds the main character in conflict with another character, human or not

human.

Character vs. Character Conflict

One character must battle another character to gain power, true love, freedom, justice or acceptanceOne group of characters must free themselves from anotherOne character must confront another to survive

Character vs.Nature Conflict

This type of conflict finds the main character in conflict with the forces of nature, which serve as

the antagonist.

One or more characters are lost in the wilderness (loss of food, shelter, warmth, etc.)One or more characters must face a natural disaster or aid those facing a disasterOne or more characters are threatened by predators in nature

Character vs. Society Conflict

This type of conflict has the main character in conflict with a larger group: a community,

society, culture, etc.

Character trapped by circumstances of birth Character falsely accused by society Character feels apart from society and discovers own values

Character vs. Self ConflictIn this type of conflict, the main character experiences some kind of inner conflict.

Character finds inner strength despite poor oddsCharacter must develop moral compass Character must discover self-worth

A reminder about what happened in the past is called flashback.

Point of View (Story)

• Author’s choice of narrator for a story

• A story can be told in many different ways

*1st Person Point of View

*2nd Person Point of View

*3rd Person Limited Point of View

*3rd Person Omniscient Point of View

(Story) First Person Point of View

In first-person point of view, the narrator is a character in the story. The narrator, or the one telling the story, may or may not be reliable in first person narratives because the

narrator is a character within the story and is likely not entirely objective.

(story) Second Person Point of View

(EXTREMELY RARE)

Second-person point of view directly addresses the audience with the use of the pronoun “you.” Second-person point of view pulls us into the story by making

us one of its characters.

(story) Third Person Limited Point of View

The narrator is not involved in the story. The narrator can watch the characters in the story and may know the feelings, thoughts, beliefs of a character or two, but not all characters. The narrator’s view is LIMITED; he/she cannot see everything and must make inferences about some.

Third Person Omniscient Point of View (story)

The narrator is “all knowing” and “all seeing.”

The narrator knows everything that all the characters are thinking, feeling, and believing.

To be honest, this type of story doesn’t leave much to chance so it can be rather boring.

Theme

A central message, concern, or insight into life expressed through a literary work

Can be expressed by one or two sentence statement about human beings or about life

May be stated directly or implied

Sample Theme Topics• Teamwork • Discrimination • Pride

• Trust • Resourcefulness • Challenges

• Ethical dilemmas • Nature • Leadership

• Euthanasia • Commitment • Diversity

• Freedom • Guilt • Love

• Convictions • Heroes • Community

• Social change • Loss • Patriotism

• Communication • Evil • Family

• Friendship • Loyalty • Power

• Acceptance • Hope • Friendship

• Customs • Loneliness • Values

• Money • Death • War

• Choices • Prejudice

• Denial • Poverty

(This is not an all-inclusive list.)

Green Mile Cast List

Green Mile Cast List

Green Mile Cast List