Stories of Us

Story Literary Elements

Plot

Plot is the conflict of the story and how the author unravels the conflict.

e.g. The king died. The queen died.

vs.

The king died. The queen died of a broken heart.

Great stories have a conflict

Person vs. Person

Person vs. Society

Person vs. Nature

Person vs. Self

Characters

People

Animals

Or Creatures

Characterization

Can be the most powerful element of a story

If you don’t care about the characters you might not finish the book

Well-rounded characters:– Are real people (not all good/bad)– Given description of physical appearance– Change as they confront/overcome problems

The protagonist is the “good guy”

The antagonist is the “bad guy” or force

Setting

The time and place of the story Important in historical fiction Affects what the characters see, smell, hear,

touch, etc. What are the rules of society? Setting can:

– Set the mood (Tuck Everlasting)– Be the antagonist (where one needs to survive)– Be symbolic

Themes

Usually revealed by changes in the character

Can facilitate learning (historical fiction is much easier to read than a textbook)

What is the book saying to you? (You don’t have to have the same answer as the author)

Examples of ThemeGood vs. Evil

“Evil will always triumph over good Because good is dumb.”

Betrayal

Alienation

Love Overcoming All

Rites of Passage

Growing up, loss of innocence, journey of self, gaining knowledge but at a cost

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!”

Wizard of Oz vs. Wicked

Point of View Who’s telling the story? Has a big impact on our sympathies Common points of view:

– First Person (e.g. I went to the store). Can share every thought and feeling with the reader, but limited only to that viewpoint. Possible that you won’t get the full truth. (e.g. Twilight)

– Third Person Limited (e.g. She went to the store). (e.g. Harry Potter)

– Omniscient—Knows what everyone in the story is thinking an feeling. Can enter the mind of more than one character