Comprehensive Study Guide for Literary Elements and Nonfiction Writing

1. Literary ElementsMajor Test in class on 9/12/12

2. Study Resources • Literary Terms List (given in class 1st week) • Prentice Hall Literature Textbook (students checked out copies 1st week) • pages 4-7 • Glossary of Literary Terms in back (pages R21-30) • Workbook pages students removed and should have in English binder

3. Fiction • narrative prose about characters and events from the author’s imagination • basic elements • setting • plot • Characters • Dialogue • point of view • theme

4. Setting • time and place a story takes place • Setting can also • establish social, cultural, or economic standards that affect characters • add complications to the plot • contribute to the mood of the story

5. Plotsequence of events in the story • Exposition • Rising action • Climax • Falling action • Resolution

6. Conflict • A struggle between opposing forces • This is the problem that sets off the sequence of actions I which rise to the Climax – the point of greatest intensity.

7. Internal and External Conflict • Internal Conflict is a struggle within the mind of one character • External Conflict is between two characters, between a person and a group, or between a character and nature or fate • Conflicts are stated as • Man vs. _______

8. CharacterizationWriters use different methods of revealing a character’s personality to the reader • Direct Characterization – writers make direct statements about a character’s appearance, personality, goals, habits, or beliefs • Indirect Characterization – Readers draw conclusions based on the character’s words, thoughts, actions, and interactions with others.

9. Point of View • 1st Person – told by narrator who is participating in the action • 3rd person – a voice outside the of the story narrates • Omniscient – “all knowing” - can tell readers what each character is thinking / feeling • Limited – sees the world through one character’s eyes and reveals only that character’s thoughts

10. Theme and Universal Theme underlying meaning or insight that an author conveys in a story Can be stated directly or implied A Universal Theme is a message about life that can be understood by most cultures. Examples: the important of honesty the danger of greed

11. Types of Fiction • Short stories - brief narratives, with carefully limited action that allows the writer to focus on one main plot complication • Novels - extended works of fiction that are usually organized into segments called chapters • can include subplots in addition to the main story line and may explore a number of characters in depth • Novellas - intermediate works of fiction that are longer than short stories but are concise and focused than novels.

12. Nonfiction…

13. Elements of Nonfiction • Tone - expresses an author’s attitude toward the subject and the reader. It is conveyed through choice of words and details • Perspective - the author’s point of view on the subject, including the opinions that the author expresses and the source of the author’s information—whether general research, for example , or personal experience • Purpose - author’s reason for writing. It may be to persuade, to inform, to entertain, or to describe

14. Nonfiction • Types of Nonfiction include • Literary Nonfictions • Informational Texts

15. Literary Nonfiction Literary Nonfiction – personal examples and ideas with factual information. Examples are Personal Essays and Biographies

16. Informational Texts • Expository - present facts to increase the knowledge and understanding of an audience Examples are summaries and articles • Persuasive - written to influence the opinions or actions of an audience. Examples are speeches, debates, and advertisements • Procedural - explains a process. These texts often include visuals to help illustrate steps. Examples are instructions, recipes, and manuals