Narrative Elements Narrative Element

Definition Examples

Plot ElementsIntroductionInciting IncidentRising ActionClimaxFalling ActionResolution/denouement

introduction- introduces characters and settingInciting Incident- An action/event that begins the storyRising Action- A series of events that helps the story escalate and gives suspense to the climaxclimax- peak at which the most action happensFalling Action- Everything tends to slow down after the climaxResolution- The part of the story where it is wrapped and mostthings are explained

The movie 300Introduction- at the beginning where it introduces the atmosphere and the main character and how he became king.Inciting inciden t - When they defeat the first wave then have to fight more.RISING ACTION-when King Leonidas marches to war with his 300 SpartansCLIMAX- murdering the Persians .falling action- when the Spartans start to die out and lose in numbersRESOLUTION-when they all die and the war ends

Subplot a secondary or subordinate plot, as in a play, novel, or other literary work; underplot.

In The Lord of the Rings, the main plot is the characters that are going to destroy the ring. The subplot is the story following the other characters fighting the wars and destroying evil and becoming king.

Narrative Point of ViewFirst PersonThird Person LimitedThird Person Omniscient

First - From a character’s point of view – the character is the narratorLimited- Focussing the narration through the eyes of a single character.Omniscient- narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of ALL of the characters in the story, as opposed to third person limited, which adheres closely to ONE character's perspective.

First- I am the smartest person in the room

Limited- “Then he looked behind him and saw that no land was visible. That makes no difference, he thought. I can always come in on the glow from Havanna.”

Omniscient- “Meanwhile, the serpent was plotting. However, the rat also was scheming himself.”

SettingAtmosphereToneMood

-the feeling expressed by the setting-The view or attitude that the author gives a specific character, place, or thing-What evokes emotions and feelings from the audience

-Walking through a dark alley, gives a spooky atmosphere-A certain character may have a happy tone

-A sad scene may make the audience cry

Character Foil A character who contrasts with another character

Batman and the Joker

Psychological Landscape

the atmosphere created inside a character’s mind

the landscape inside Gollum’s head in The Lord of the Rings – conflicted about what he wants to do – steal the ring, or help Frodo

Theme - the message or the moral of the story/poem/movie

theme of The Hunger Games was suffering for entertainment

The theme of Romeo and Juliet was fighting for love despite hatred.

Context the circumstance in which an event occurs; a setting – or the background information needed to understand what’s happening

“I can’t believe I got a C+ on my test!” Is this better or worse than normal?

Literary Devices

Literary Devices Definition Example

Juxtaposition Placing two opposing ideas side by side to emphasize the differences.

Ex. 1 Godfather scene - flips between baptism in church and murders that he ordered

Ex. 2

Pathetic Fallacy The weather or nature mirrors the action of the story

A bright sunny day when a wedding is taking place.Rain at a funeral

Metaphor A figure of speech where a word or phrase is compared to an object or an action, without using as or like.

I drowned in a sea of grief.

Hyperbole Exaggerated statements or claims that are not to be taken literally.

I have told you a million times.

Satire A piece of literature written in the form of a joke to make fun of something - often points out flaws in politics or current events

Scary Movie is a satire of horror movie conventions

Personification giving objects human characteristics

toast jump out of the toaster

Anthropomorphism

Giving an animal many human characteristics

* Ex: Bugs Bunny

Allusion makes reference to a person, place or thing, to broaden the reader's understanding

candy was his Achilles’ heel.

Allegory Using a story to teach a spiritual or abstract idea

*

Simile Comparisng one thing with another thing of a different kind using the words “like” or “as” - used to make a description more emphatic or vivid

as brave as a lion,crazy like a fox

Archetype a very typical example of a certain person or thing

superman is an archetype of a superhero

Internal Conflict struggle occurring within a character's mind

quitting an addiction

External Conflict A struggle between literary character and an outside force such as nature or another character.-man vs man-man vs fate-man vs society

*David vs Goliath

IronySituationalVerbalDramatic

situational: outcome of actions is opposite than intended

dramatic:When the audience/ reader knows something that some of the characters don’t know

verbal: misinterpretation of written or spoken word

*s: vegan eats pepperonid: Romeo and Juliet, audience sees everything - Juliet takes the potion and everyone thinks she’s deadv: sarcasm

DictionDenotationConnotation

diction: an effective or intentional choice of words

Denotation: translation of a sign to its meaning, to its literal meaning.

connotation: the associated secondary meaning of a word or expression in addition to its explicit or primary meaning

The difference between smell, fragrance, and odour.

Anecdote A short amusing or interesting account, usually about a real event.

A parent telling their child a story about when they were young.“I remember when…”

Imagery An author’s use of descriptive language to add depth to their work. – evokes the 5 senses

It was a bright, beautiful day. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and the smell of fresh cut grass hung in the air.

Analogy A comparison between two things, usually based on structure, and for the purpose of explanation or clarification.

“They go together like Spaghetti and meatballs.”“A fish is to swimming as a bird is to flying.”

Symbol A thing that is used to represent or stand for something else.

A flag is a symbol of patriotism.