Elements of a Story

setting theme Elements of a Story Eleven by Sandra Cisneros point of view plot characters

I. Plot • The series of events that make up a story • Usually built around a central conflict (problem or struggles) Four Stages of Plot • 1-Exposition • 2-Rising Action • 3-Climax • 4-Falling Action • 5-Resolution

Plot Diagram 3 4 2 1 5

1. Exposition Introduces the characters, setting, background information of the story. Often the conflict is introduced.

2. Rising Action This part of the story begins to develop the conflict(s). A building of interest or suspense occurs. Story becomes more and more complicated as the conflict develops.

3. Climax This is the turning point of the story. Usually the main character comes face to face with a conflict. Outcome of the conflict is decided. The main character will change in some way.

4. Falling Action • All loose ends of the plot are tied up. The conflict(s) and climax are taken care of.

5. Resolution • The story comes to a reasonable ending.

Putting It All Together 1. Exposition 2. Rising Action 3. Climax 4. Falling Action 5. Resolution Beginning of Story Middle of Story End of Story

Applying Plot to Eleven • What is the big conflict in the story, Eleven? • Is it the sweater? Is it Mrs. Price? Is it Sylvia? Is it Rachel?

II. Characters • People, animals and imaginary creatures who take part in the action of the story. • Main Characters- action centered on one important character, also called the Protagonist-pushes toward something. • Minor Characters- Less important characters-they interact with main character and help the story move along. Could be the antagonist- “bad guy” pushes against the protagonist and tries to block him/her from reaching his goal. • Traits- Characters are revealed by their traits or qualities. You can learn about the character’s traits by paying attention to their speech, thoughts, actions of other characters, writer’s direct statements, and their physical characteristics.

Applying Character to Eleven • EX: “That’s not, I don’t, you’re not…Not mine,” I finally say in a little voice that was maybe me when I was four.” Page 28 • Based on this quote what can you infer about Rachel’s character traits/qualities? • Shy/outgoing-Which word best describes Rachel, why?

Affect of Qualities of character on plot and resolution of conflict • How does Rachel’s character traits (qualities) affect (influence) the story line?...the end?

III. Setting • The time and place in which a story occurs. • Ex. Past, present, future, day or night, may be imaginary or real. • A writer’s vivid and descriptions help readers picture the setting. The setting can influence characters’ actions, and often plays the role of the conflicts that develop and how they are resolved.

Applying Setting to Eleven • What is the setting in Eleven? How do you know? • The setting in Eleven is in Rachel’s math classroom. We know this because the narrator, Rachel, talks about Mrs. Price her teacher, her desk, other students, and bell rings for lunch, therefore, we can infer that the setting is at school.

Affect of setting on plot • How does the setting in Eleven effect (influence) the story?

IV. Point of View • Stories are often written from a particular viewpoint. • Viewpoint determines reader’s understanding of the characters and events of the story. • 1st person vs. 3rd person

Applying Point of View to Eleven • Whose point of view is the story told from? • What if the story was told from another character’s point of view? How would this alter the story line? • The point of view influences how the reader will react or respond.

V. External and Internal Conflict • First of all, what is a conflict?A conflict is a struggle (problem) between opposing forces. Almost every story is built around a central conflict faced by the main character. An External Conflict is a struggle between a character and an outside force, such as society, nature, or another character. -character vs. character -character vs. society -character vs. nature • An Internal Conflict is a struggle within the character’s mind. It may occur when the character has to make a decision or deal with opposing feelings. (Character vs. self)

Conflict in Eleven • Character vs. Character- Rachel is in conflict with Mrs. Price or/and Sylvia Salvidar

friendship VI. Theme justice • The meaning or moral of a story. • Writer’s create themes to express their ideas about life and human nature. Most themes are not stated openly. Some clues to a story’s theme: -the title -the actions, thoughts, and words of the characters -the conflicts in the story -the setting and the images the writer creates

Applying Theme to Eleven • What is the theme in Eleven? • The theme in Eleven could be…

VII. Reading Strategies • Inferences is a reading strategy (also used in the real world) An educated guess formed by using background knowledge and personal experiences to draw conclusions not explicitly stated. • Questioning • Predicting • Visualizing • Connecting

VIII. Figurative Language • Figurative language is a tool that an author employs (or uses) to help the reader visualize (or see) what is happening in a story or poem. Some common types of figurative language are: simile, metaphor, alliteration, onomatopoeia, idiom, puns, and sensory language. In this class, we will cover imagery, simile, metaphor, personification and idioms.

Imagery is when the reader uses descriptive words that appeal to the reader’s senses. • A simile is a comparison using like or as. It usually compares 2 dissimilar objects • EXAMPLE: • His feet were as big as boats • We are comparing _______ to _______, which means they are probably _______!!! • A metaphorstates that one thing IS something else. It is a comparison, but it does NOT use like or as to make the comparison. • EXAMPLE: • Her hair is silk. The sentence is comparing (or stating) that hair is silk.

Personification-giving objects human characteristics • EXAMPLE: The sun wrapped its arms around my shoulders. (The sun does not really have arms, but I using personification to express how hot my shoulders feel.) • Symbolism- person, place or object that stands for something other than itself • Idioms-an expression that has a meaning different from its individual words.

Elements of a Story