PowerPoint Presentation
An introduction toChildrens Literature
LITERATURE:
Definition &Elements
Definition of Literature
Definition of literaturepieces of writing that are valued as
works of art, especially novels, plays and poems. (Oxford Advanced
Learners English Dictionary).
the body of written works produced in a particular language,
country, or age, or the body of writings on a particular subject
(scientific, art, etc.) (Merriam-Websters Dictionary and
Thesaurus).Definition of literature
any body of written works that is written and produced in any
country,,language or age for a specific purpose such as
information, education or entertainment to the reader, which can be
fictional or non-fictional in nature.Definition of literature
Literature is defined as the writings that have excellence of
form of expression, which express ideas of a permanent or universal
interest.
LITERATURE
Literature is not written to give the reader facts. It is not a
report, but an opportunity for social practice (Jones).
LITERATURE
It enables the reader to examine thought and action
compassionately. The reader can identify with a character and his
story allowing him to see life through the eyes of that character,
and share the authors insight (Reed).
LITERATURE
The ultimate goal of literature is to understand others and
ourselves.
LITERATURE
It provides the reader with clues to life itself.
LITERATURE
It is the job of the reader to ask why.
LITERATURE
This is the part of the practice of living seeing whether others
notice what another notices and can make the same interpretations
while reaching the same conclusions.
LITERATURE
Literature offers this practice in understanding and provides a
better opportunity in living.
LITERATURE
Elements of Literature
Elements of Literature
PlotCharacterSettingThemePoint of view
PlotCharacter~Setting~Theme~Point of view
Plot is the organized pattern or sequence of events that make up
a story.
Plot Diagram
21345
PlotExpositionRising ActionClimaxFalling ActionResolution
19Exposition: The introduction; reader learns about the setting,
major characters, etc.Rising Action: The part of the story that
builds the tension through conflict; most of the action of the plot
occurs hereClimax: The high point in the tension of the story or
the turning point of the storyFalling Action: The action and
conflict that occurs after the climax; often very shortResolution:
The story is brought to its conclusion; all loose ends are tied
up
1. ExpositionThis usually occurs at the beginning of a short
story.
Exposition: The beginning of the story, introducing characters,
setting and main conflict.As a child, Cinderella was happy. After
her mother died, her father re-married a mean woman with two
daughters. The step-mother gave her daughters everything and
Cinderella nothing.
2. Rising ActionThis part of the story begins to develop the
conflict(s).
Rising Action: The conflict develops and suspense builds.A
messenger delivers an invitation to the ball. The step-mother tells
Cinderella she can go if she finishes her chores. The Fairy
Godmother gives Cinderella a dress and coach. Cinderella arrives at
the ball and dances with the Prince. On the way out she drops her
shoe.
3. ClimaxThis is the turning point of the story.
The climax is the most exciting part!!
Climax: The most exciting point in the story.The Prince finds
Cinderella and puts the glass slipper on her foot. It fits!
4. Falling ActionAll loose ends of the plot are tied up.
5. ResolutionThe story comes to a reasonable ending.
Resolution: The story concludes and loose ends are tied
up.Cinderella and the Prince get married.
Putting It All Together1. Exposition 2. Rising Action
3. Climax
4. Falling Action5. Resolution
Beginning of StoryMiddle of StoryEnd of Story
Special Techniques of PlotSuspenseFlashbackSurprise
EndingForeshadowing
ConflictConflict is the battle between two forces.
Conflict is the struggle between two forces in a story. Without
conflict, there is no plot.
Types of Conflict
Character vs Nature
Character vs SocietyCharacter vs Self
Character vs Character
Types Of Conflicta deeper look
Character vs. Character(problem with another character) 3.
Character vs. Society(problem with the laws or beliefs of a
group)(character vs. community, society or culture) 2. Character
vs. Nature(problem with force of nature) 4. Character vs. Self
(problem with deciding what to do or think; inner conflict)
Plot: Character vs. Character ConflictThis type of conflict
finds the main character in conflict with another character, human
or not human.The new one is the most beautiful of all; he is so
young and pretty. And the old swans bowed their heads before
him.
Then he felt quite ashamed, and hid his head under his wing; for
he did not know what to do, he was so happy, and yet not at all
proud. He had been persecuted and despised for his ugliness, and
now he heard them say he was the most beautiful of all the
birds.
The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Anderson
Plot: Character vs. Nature Conflict
This type of conflict finds the main character in conflict with
the forces of nature, which serve as the antagonist. Its a Truffula
Seed.Its the last one of all!Youre in charge of the last of the
Truffula Seeds.And Truffula Trees are what everyone needs.Plant a
new Truffula. Treat it with care.Give it clean water. And feed it
fresh air.Grow a forest. Protect it from axes that hack.Then the
Loraxand all of his friendsmay come back. The Lorax by Dr.
Seuss
Plot: Character vs. Society ConflictThis type of conflict has
the main character in conflict with a larger group: a community,
society, culture, etc.
Im tired of living in a hole, said Jenny.Lets fight for freedom!
cried Bouncer. Well be soldiers! Rough-riding Rowdies! Ill be the
general and commander-in-chief!
The Island of the Skog by Steven Kellogg
Plot: Character vs. Self ConflictIn this type of conflict, the
main character experiences some kind of inner conflict. Finally,
Sams father said, Go to bed now. But before you go to sleep, Sam,
tell yourself the difference between REAL and MOONSHINE.
Sam, Bangs & Moonshine by Evaline Ness
Conflict: A struggle between opposing characters or forces.
Example:Man vs. Man(Cinderella vs. step-mother and
step-sisters).
Mood
Characters feelings
Readers feelings how the book makes you feel
41Mood: the emotions (of a character or of a reader) that are
aroused as a result of plot events, setting, figurative language or
conflict
People
AnimalsOr Creatures
Plot~Character~Setting~Theme~Point of view
Every story needs Characters
A character is the who in the
story.Plot~Character~Setting~Theme~Point of view
Character TraitsWhen you read a story watch the characters as if
they were real people.AdventurousGreedy
Unhappyloving
Aggressivefearful
Lets PracticeFriends Stick together
Snoopy is a good friend to the birds. One summer day, Lucy
invited Snoopy to come over and swim in her pool. Snoopy invited
his bird friends to come too. Lucy was not happy.This is
ridiculous! she cried.But the birds had already put on their
snorkel masks. Everybody stayed nice and cool.Which word best
describes Lucy?a. Boredb. Gentlec. Quietd. AngryWhich word best
describes Snoopy?SelfishFriendlyLazy Scared
Characterization:A person or an animal in a story, a play or
other literary work.
Cinderella: loving, kind, works hard, pretty, innocent, hero,
cheerful, smart, happy.Step-mother & step-sisters: jealous,
mean, ugly, self-absorbed, villain, lazy, nasty.
there are some terms of characterization that are important to
consider:
1. Protagonist2. Antagonist3. Round/Complex character4.
Flat/Simple character 5. Dynamic character6. Static character
The protagonist is the good guy
The antagonist is the bad guy or force
The setting of a story is the place where the story happens and
the time when it happens.
Plot~Character~Setting~Theme~Point of view
Setting
The Setting Supports the PlotWhich of the pictures below shows a
setting that would make sense in a story of a dog sled race?
52
When your focus is setting, look for words that tell about:Time
of day, day of the week, month, or season (today, 3:00, Sunday,
April, Fall)Specific dates or historical details (July 4,
1776)Place names, such as city, state, or country (Cambridge,
Maryland, America)Physical surroundings, such as weather,
buildings, and landscape (rainy, castle, fields)
53
Use Picture Clues to Identify Setting
WinterNightSnowyFrozen LakeColdWoodsHouseOutsideFarm Smell of
HayBarn Animal SoundsDay DirtGrass OutsideSpaceshipDayShadowEngine
NoiseTown/CityFieldsCloudsHoveringRed LightWhat words describe the
settings?
54
Setting: The time and place of the story.
long ago, the palace, the ball, a far away kingdom, the home of
Cinderella's step-mother.
the central idea and/or universal truth that is the main focus
of the story.
Plot~Character~Setting~Theme~Point of view
THEMETheme is NOT the moral of the storyTheme is NOT plotTheme
may contain a message
1) Red Riding Hood is about how you shouldnt trust strangers 2)
Stars Wars is a movie about Luke Skywalker 3) Apocalypse Now is
about the insanity of war.4) This painting is about loneliness 5)
That story is about two guys who steal a car6) Romeo and Juliet is
about love7) Romeo and Juliet is about two families fighting8) I
saw a movie last night about survival9) Hansel and Gretel is about
two children10) Cinderella is about poetic justice
THEME IN MUSICHot N Cold Katy PerryCause youre hot then youre
cold, youre yes then youre no. Youre in then youre out, youre up
and youre down. Youre wrong when its right, youre black when its
white. We fight, we break up. We kiss, we make up.THEME:
59
THEME IN MUSICHot N Cold Katy PerryCause youre hot then youre
cold, youre yes then youre no. Youre in then youre out, youre up
and youre down. Youre wrong when its right, youre black when its
white. We fight, we break up. We kiss, we make up.THEME:
Roller-coaster relationships and indecisive partners are
frustrating.
60
THEME IN MUSICMiss Independent NeyoShe got her own thing, thats
why I love herMiss Independent, oooh the way we shineMiss
IndependentOh theres somethin about kinda woman that can do for
herselfI look at her and it makes me proudTheres somethin about
herTHEME:
61
THEME IN MUSICMiss Independent NeyoShe got her own thing, thats
why I love herMiss Independent, oooh the way we shineMiss
IndependentOh theres somethin about kinda woman that can do for
herselfI look at her and it makes me proudTheres somethin about
herTHEME: Independent women deserve love and respect.
62
the perspective from which the reader will view the events in a
story.Plot~Character~Setting~Theme~Point of view
main points of view:Omniscient Point of ViewThird-Person Limited
Point of ViewFirst Person Point of View
Omniscient Point of Viewthe narrator plays no part in the story
but can tell us what all the characters are thinking and feeling as
well as what is happening in other places.
Omniscient Point of ViewJust outside the auditorium entrance,
students milled about nervously and waited to be called in for the
audition. A few had paired off to practice their lines together,
but most stood or sat alone engaged in their own calming rituals.
Ruth stood in the corner and talked to the wall in a low voice. She
would be graduating this year, and she desperately wanted to be
Juliet. She was trying to get just the right tone of voice for the
balcony scene. Gary, dressed in all black, paced back and forth in
front of the mirror- lined wall and periodically glanced at his
reflection and smoothed his dark hair. He was auditioning for
Mercutio, but he was worried that Mr. Glover would think he was too
much of a comedic actor to give him a more serious role. Janis sat
with her back against the row of lockers, her knees tucked up close
to her body, and stared at the floor as she recited the lines in
her head. She didnt really care what part she got as long as she
had a speaking role. She had been an extra in the last two
productions and was ready for more responsibility.
66
Third-Person-Limited Point of View the narrator plays no part in
the story but zooms in on the thoughts and feelings of one
character.
Third-Person-Limited Point of ViewGary paced back and forth in
front of the mirror-lined wall. He glanced toward Ruth and smiled.
She looked so odd standing in the corner talking to the wall. He
admired the way she could totally immerse herself in a character
and ignore the outside world. He was too aware of what other people
thought of him. He sometimes played the clown, but only when he
knew that he could get a laugh. Mr. Glover said he tried too hard
to entertain people. Maybe that was why Mr. Glover always cast him
in a comic role. This time, though, he wanted a chance to try his
hand at more serious acting. Mercutios character seemed the perfect
role for himsometimes foolish and other times brooding and
angry.
68
First-Person Point of Viewthe narrator is a character in the
story and tells the story using the first-person pronoun .
First-Person Point of ViewI stared at the wall and tried to
remember what it felt like to be fourteen and have a major crush on
a guy. Ive never felt love as intensely as Juliet. Personally, I
always thought that Juliets character was a bit too impulsive and
immature. But, who was I to quibble with Shakespeare? I was willing
to set aside my personal opinions for a chance to play one of the
most famous female characters in drama. What better way to end my
high school drama career than to play the role of Juliet. Before I
could get the role, though, I would have to impress Mr. Glover. I
closed my eyes and pictured myself standing on the balcony as
Juliet: My heart is heavy because my love is my sworn enemy, and
Ill probably never get the chance to see him again. My voice is sad
and full of longing. O, Romeo
Match these terms with the correct definition._________________
The narrator is a character in the story and tells what he or she
experiences._________________ The narrator is an observer and knows
everything about all the characters._________________ The narrator
is an observer and describes the thoughts and feelings of just one
character.Omniscient Third-person limited First person
Third-person limited
First person
Omniscient
