Story Elements Some basics that every good story and/or book
must have .
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The time and place of the story is the setting
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Setting What is the setting? Time Place Climate/Weather
Immediate Circumstances What is the use of the setting? Create a
mood Be the source of conflict or struggle Symbolize an idea Make
action seem more real
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Characterization A writer reveals what a character is like A
writer reveals what a character is like and how the character
changes throughout the and how the character changes throughout the
story. story. Two primary methods of characterization: Two primary
methods of characterization: Direct- tells what the character is
like Indirect- shows what a character is like by *describing how
the character looks, *describing how the character looks, *telling
what the character says and does, *telling what the character says
and does, *telling what other characters say about *telling what
other characters say about and do in response to the character and
do in response to the character
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And I dont play the dozens or believe in standing around with
somebody in my face doing a lot of talking. I much rather just
knock you down and take my chances even if Im a little girl with
skinny arms and a squeaky voice, which is how I got the name
Squeaky. From Raymonds Run by T. Bambara Direct
Characterization
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Indirect Characterization The old man bowed to all of us in the
room. Then he removed his hat and gloves, slowly and carefully.
From Gentleman of Rio en Medio by J. Sedillo
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The protagonist is the good guy
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The antagonist is the bad guy or negative force
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Examples of Protagonists vs. Antagonist Lord of the
RingsFrodoSaruman the Wizard War of the WorldsRay FerrierThe alien
invaders Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Harry PotterLord
Voldemort The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe Lucy, Peter, Edmund
and Susan The White Witch Protagonist Antagonist
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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.)
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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.
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Explanation of Plot climax exposition dnouement/
resolution
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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
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Conflict Conflict is a struggle between opposing forces Every
plot must contain some kind of conflict. Without conflict, there is
no plot. Stories can have more than one conflict Conflicts can be
external or internal External conflict- outside force may be
person, group, animal, nature, or a nonhuman obstacle External
conflict- outside force may be person, group, animal, nature, or a
nonhuman obstacle Internal conflict- takes place in a characters
mind Internal conflict- takes place in a characters mind
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Types of Conflict Character vs Character Character vs Nature
Character vs Society Character vs Self
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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 acceptance One group of characters
must free themselves from another One character must confront
another to survive
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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
disaster One or more characters are threatened by predators in
nature
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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
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Character vs. Self Conflict In this type of conflict, the main
character experiences some kind of inner conflict. Character finds
inner strength despite poor odds Character must develop moral
compass Character must discover self-worth
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A hint about what will happen next is called foreshadowing For
example, if you hear this: Then you know someones about to get
eaten!
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A reminder about what happened in the past is called
flashback.
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The point of view is the perspective of the story That rotten
wolf tried to eat us!!!! I was framed! I just wanted to borrow a
cup of sugar!
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Point of View Authors choice of narrator for a story A story
can be told in many different ways *1 st Person Point of View *2 nd
Person Point of View *3 rd Person Limited Point of View *3 rd
Person Omniscient Point of View
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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.
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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 narrators view is LIMITED; he/she
cannot see everything and must make inferences about some.
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Third Person Omniscient Point of View 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 doesnt leave much to chance so it can be rather
boring.
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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
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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.)