the elements of narrative eng1d1macpherson. what is “narration”? narration is storytelling...

The The Elements of Elements of NarrativeNarrativeENG1D1ENG1D1

MacPhersonMacPherson

What is What is “Narration”?“Narration”?

Narration is storytelling Narration is storytelling (literary, verbal)(literary, verbal)

Can be either fictional (based on Can be either fictional (based on imagination) or non-fictional imagination) or non-fictional (based on facts)(based on facts)

Examples of Examples of NarrationNarration

Short Short storiesstories

LegendsLegendsMythsMythsOral Oral

storytellingstorytelling

BalladsBallads NovelsNovels NovellasNovellas OperettasOperettas Historical Historical

accountsaccounts

Why is narrative Why is narrative important?important?

It reflects human experienceIt reflects human experience It informsIt informs It entertainsIt entertains It depicts human natureIt depicts human nature It is a means of passing stories It is a means of passing stories

and culture down through and culture down through generationsgenerations

Key Features of Key Features of NarrationNarration

Developed from an event, or series of eventsDeveloped from an event, or series of events Usually involves a character in conflictUsually involves a character in conflict CharacterCharacter, , settingsetting, , conflictconflict, and , and plotplot are are

chosen to develop the chosen to develop the themetheme of the narrative of the narrative The beginningThe beginning – establishes character, – establishes character,

setting and moodsetting and mood The middleThe middle – character(s) deal with conflict – character(s) deal with conflict The endThe end – explains how the conflict is – explains how the conflict is

resolvedresolved

Elements: PlotElements: Plot

The plan or pattern of the storyThe plan or pattern of the story

Elements -- SettingElements -- Setting

““when” and “where” the story when” and “where” the story takes placetakes place

Includes both the time of day Includes both the time of day and time of year as well as the and time of year as well as the historical time periodhistorical time period

Elements -- ClimaxElements -- Climax

The main problem, or highest The main problem, or highest point of interest in the storypoint of interest in the story

Elements -- CrisisElements -- Crisis

The series of events which help The series of events which help develop a characterdevelop a character

Also known as the “Rising Also known as the “Rising Action” Action”

Elements -- Elements -- CharacterizationCharacterization

Direct CharacterizationDirect Characterization The author’s explanatory comments The author’s explanatory comments

tells the reader how to thinktells the reader how to think

Indirect CharacterizationIndirect Characterization The author provides information from The author provides information from

which the reader makes inferences or which the reader makes inferences or conclusionsconclusions

Elements Elements – Protagonist & Antagonist– Protagonist & Antagonist

ProtagonistProtagonist The main character around whom the The main character around whom the

reader’s interest revolvesreader’s interest revolves Not necessarily “good”Not necessarily “good”

AntagonistAntagonist An important opponent trying to stop or An important opponent trying to stop or

interfere with the protagonistinterfere with the protagonist Not necessarily “bad”Not necessarily “bad”

Elements -- ConflictElements -- Conflict

The struggle that The struggle that grows between two grows between two opposing forces in opposing forces in a narrativea narrative

A narrative may A narrative may have multiple have multiple conflictsconflicts

Examples of Examples of ConflictsConflicts Individual vs. Individual vs.

IndividualIndividual

Individual vs. NatureIndividual vs. Nature

Individual vs. SelfIndividual vs. Self

Individual vs. SocietyIndividual vs. Society

Elements Elements – Flashback and – Flashback and ForeshadowingForeshadowing

These are devices used to develop and These are devices used to develop and advance the narrativeadvance the narrative

FlashbackFlashback The writer presents incidents that occurred The writer presents incidents that occurred

before the opening episode of the storybefore the opening episode of the story Used to develop context and backgroundUsed to develop context and background

ForeshadowingForeshadowing Hints of something that will happen later in Hints of something that will happen later in

the storythe story Used to develop suspense and anticipationUsed to develop suspense and anticipation

Elements -- ThemeElements -- Theme

The meaning or message of the storyThe meaning or message of the story

Elements -- ToneElements -- Tone

The feelings a The feelings a piece of literature piece of literature arouses in the arouses in the readerreader

HappyHappy SadSad DepressedDepressed HostileHostile OptimisticOptimistic hopeful,hopeful, PessimisticPessimistic AngerAnger peacepeace

Elements -- SymbolElements -- Symbol

An object or image that is used to An object or image that is used to represent something (usually an represent something (usually an abstract concept or theme)abstract concept or theme)

Elements – Point of ViewElements – Point of View

The perspective from which a story is The perspective from which a story is narrated (told)narrated (told)

First Person MajorFirst Person Major The main character tells the story only from his The main character tells the story only from his

/her viewpoint/her viewpoint Third Person OmniscientThird Person Omniscient

The narrator is omniscient (all knowing) but is not The narrator is omniscient (all knowing) but is not in the actionin the action

Sees all action and knows the thoughts of all Sees all action and knows the thoughts of all characterscharacters

Elements -- StyleElements -- Style

The writer’s use of language that The writer’s use of language that gives insights into the storygives insights into the story Includes use of literary devices, diction, Includes use of literary devices, diction,

punctuation, etc…punctuation, etc…

Elements -- SuspenseElements -- Suspense

A feeling of uncertainty about the A feeling of uncertainty about the outcomeoutcome

Created through setting, use of Created through setting, use of foreshadowing, development of foreshadowing, development of mood and atmosphere through style, mood and atmosphere through style, character conflict etc….character conflict etc….

Elements –Inciting Elements –Inciting IncidentIncident

The events in the story which begin The events in the story which begin the actionthe action

May even take place before the May even take place before the actual narrative beginsactual narrative begins

Elements – Character Elements – Character CrisisCrisis

Moments in a story which challenge Moments in a story which challenge characters and lead to character characters and lead to character developmentdevelopment

Elements --DenouementElements --Denouement

The unraveling of the plot near the The unraveling of the plot near the conclusion of a storyconclusion of a story

Sometimes referred to as the Sometimes referred to as the “resolution”“resolution”

GenreGenre

This is not an This is not an element of element of narrative, but narrative, but rather a “type” of rather a “type” of narrativenarrative

Refers to a kind or Refers to a kind or type of literature type of literature

MysteryMystery HorrorHorror Science fictionScience fiction RomanceRomance Action /AdventureAction /Adventure FantasyFantasy GothicGothic RealismRealism