Elements of Story Journal Topic Who is your favourite literary character of all time? Why? 1
Stories are everywhere. A good story needs... 2
SETTING Setting is where the story takes place. The role of setting in a story is usually underestimated. Most people don t realize how important it is to setting the tone and mood of the story and to helping the reader infer meaning. For ex: Can you imagine the Harry Potter series taking place anywhere else than at Hogwarts or even in England? I know I can t. It would completely change the magical, old-world feel of the books, not to mention how some of the characters speak, dress, act, etc. 3
CHARACTERS A story is only as good as its characters. A well-rounded, fully developed character can draw a reader in and make them connect to the text. Readers almost form relationships with the characters; they relate to them, have conversations with them, root for them, and empathize with them. Defining Characterization Characterization is the process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character. Characterization is revealed through direct characterization and indirect characterization. Direct Characterization tells the audience what the personality of the character is. Example: The patient boy and quiet girl were both well mannered and did not disobey their mother. Explanation: The author is directly telling the audience the personality of these two children. The boy is patient and the girl is quiet. Indirect Characterization shows things that reveal the personality of a character. There are five different methods of indirect characterization: Speech Thoughts Effect on others toward the character. Actions Looks What does the character say? How does the character speak? What is revealed through the character s private thoughts and feelings? What is revealed through the character s effect on other people? How do other characters feel or behave in reaction to the character? What does the character do? How does the character behave? What does the character look like? How does the character dress? 4
PLOT The plot of the story is the series of events that unfold throughout the story. Usually, a plot is organized in a very specific way: Plots are organized this way because this is how our brains process and make sense of information when it is paired with emotions. Think of it as a roller coaster: 5
Peeta! Climax Denouement/Resolution Exposition Inciting Incident Example of a plot: The Hunger Games CONFLICT A good story always has a central conflict. The types of conflict we can find in a story are: Man VS. Man Man VS. Nature Man VS. Society Man VS. Himself 6
Conflict in The Hunger Games Man vs. Man: Katniss vs. the other Tributes Man vs. Nature: Katniss vs. The Arena (fires, cold nights, tracker jackers, etc.) Man vs. Society: Katniss vs. Panem and the entire idea of the games. Man vs. Himself: Katniss vs. her own stubbornness and pride in order to gain favour from her sponsors. THEME Theme is the backbone of a story. It consists of the truths or views about life or human nature that are implicitly conveyed throughout the story. Most believe you can identify a theme using one word (for ex.: one of the themes of Toy Story is friendship). But it s deeper than that. One word is usually way too vague to summarize the theme of a story. 7
Tips on how to uncover the theme of a story: Check out the title, sometimes it will give you some solid clues. Notice repeating patterns and symbols. What messages is the author trying to convey in the story? Is there a greater meaning to the details and particulars of the story? Example What word have we seen repeated or implied numerous times so far in our study of Night? How can we connect this word to a deeper meaning Elie Wiesel is trying to convey to the reader? 8