Elements of Fiction

Elements of Fiction Literary Terms & Techniques in American Short Fiction

Elements of Fiction PRETEST

CHOOSE THE CORRECT LITERARY TERM FROM THE CHOICES PROVIDED.

1. Which of the following is an element of plot? • A. Symbolism • B. Setting • C. Conflict • D. Mood

2. The attitude of a writer toward a subject or an audience, generally conveyed through his or her choice of words, is called • A. Symbolism • B. Mood • C. Denouement • D. Tone

3. The occasion of greatest tension, the decisive moment or the turning point in the plot of a story is referred to as the story’s • A. Resolution • B. Climax • C. Conflict • D. Tone

4. The main idea or an underlying meaning of a story that may be stated directly or indirectly is the _____________ of the story. • A. Symbol • B. Conflict • C. Setting • D. Theme

5. The central, main or leading character or figure in a story is the • A. Antagonist • B. Foil • C. Protagonist • D. Denouement

6. When words are used in such a way that their intended meaning differs from their actual meaning or when a situation ends up in quite a different way than what was anticipated, an author is using which of the following literary techniques? • A. Symbolism • B. Irony • C. Mood • D. Tone

7. Authors often use ______ to create suspense by giving readers clues or hints about what will happen later in a story. • A. Symbolism • B. Tone • C. Foreshadowing • D. Irony

8. The atmosphere or distinctive emotional quality of a story is referred to as • A. Tone • B. Mood • C. Setting • D. Conflict

9. ______________ refers to the perspective from which a story is told or its mode of narration. • A. Point of View • B. Symbolism • C. Irony • D. Protagonist

10. The process by which an author reveals or develops the personality of a participant in a story is called • A. Point of View • B. Irony • C. Mood • D. Characterization

11. A literary device used to introduce a reader to background information integral or crucial to the plot of a story is called • A. Denouement • B. Exposition • C. Climax • D. Falling Action

12. The final outcome of a complex sequence of events or the resolution of the conflict in a story is called • A. Falling Action • B. Climax • C. Rising Action • D. Denouement

13. Using an object, action or word to stand for an abstract idea or concept is called • A. Symbolism • B. Tone • C. Irony • D. Plot

14. Aliterary element that involves a struggle, either internal or external, between two opposing forces is called • A. Plot • B. Tone • C. Irony • D. Conflict

15. Which literary element includes the historical moment in time and geographic location in which a story takes place and describes the main backdrop and mood for a story? • A. Setting • B. Mood • C. Tone • D. Plot

Identifying the Elements of Plot, Setting, Conflict, Character and Foreshadowing in “A Sound of Thunder” Ray Bradbury’s groundbreaking science fiction short story

RAY BRADBURY (1920-2012)-Celebrated American science fiction writer-One of the most important writers of the 20th century-Author of The Martian Chronicles and Fahrenheit 451-The film The Butterfly Effect was based on an idea Bradbury first articulated in his short story “A Sound of Thunder” “We are cups, constantly and quietly being filled. The trick is, knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out.” - Ray Bradbury

ELEMENTS OF PLOT A story’s plot is composed of the chain of events that lead to an ultimate resolution of the central conflict in the story.

ELEMENTS OF PLOT • Exposition—background information about characters and setting at the beginning of a story • Rising Action—a related series of incidents or events moving the plot of a story toward the point of greatest interest or tension • Climax—the moment of greatest tension or the turning point in a story • Falling Action—the actions following the climax of a story, which lead to the resolution of the central conflict • Denouement/Resolution—the final outcome of the story

CONFLICT A conflict is a literary element involving a struggle between two opposing forces, typically a protagonist and antagonist; however, a conflict may be external or internal.

TWO TYPES OF CONFLICT 1. An internal (or psychological) conflictoccurs when a character experiences opposing emotions or desires. 2. An external conflict occurs when a character finds herself or himself struggling against outside forces that hamper that character’s progress.

EXTERNAL CONFLICT An external conflict occurs when a character finds herself or himself struggling against outside forces that hamper that character’s progress. This type of conflict typically occurs between a protagonistand antagonist.

SETTING The setting is the environment in which a story or event takes place. Setting can include specific information about time and place [e.g. Boston, Massachusetts, in 1809] or can simply be descriptive[eg. a lonely farmhouse on a dark night). From The Writer’s Craft, 2014.

FORESHADOWING Foreshadowing is a way of indicating or hinting at what will come later in a story. It is a literary technique that writers often use to create suspense. From The Writer’s Craft, 2014.

Identifying Elements of Plot, Setting, Conflict and Character in “A Sound of Thunder” First Step: • Follow along with the text of Bradbury’s “A Sound of Thunder.” • While you are listening and reading, use your highlighter to note key elements of the plot and make quick annotations (brief notes) in the margins of your text about the sequence of events in the story. • Identify the protagonist and antagonist in the story. Label each one in the margins of your text.

Identifying Elements of Plot, Setting, Conflict and Character in “A Sound of Thunder” Second Step: • Review the graphic organizer that illustrates the elements of plot (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and denouement/resolution). • With a partner, discuss which events/information fit into the categories associated with the elements of plot. • After discussing each element with your partner, record these events in the appropriate spaces of your graphic organizer and glue or staple your completed graphic organizer into your Writer’s Notebook.

Identifying Elements of Plot, Setting, Conflict and Character in “A Sound of Thunder” Third Step: • In your Writer’s Notebook, answer the following questions: • 1. Who are the protagonist and antagonist in the story? Describe their conflict. • 2. Describe the major settings for the action of the story. List some of the words that Bradbury uses to describe those settings. • 3. Describe an instance of foreshadowing in the story. How does it help to create suspense?

FORESHADOWING Lesperance explains to Ecklesthe danger that small changes in the past could have catastrophic effects on the future foreshadows the changes that occur at the end of the story. The persistent warnings to Eckles and others to stay off the path suggest that he or another character will eventually step off the path.

Thematic Reflection The theme is the main idea or message that an author is attempting to get across in a story. In “A Sound of Thunder,” the theme appears to be the idea that small actions can have major consequences. Write at least one full page in your Writer’s Notebook reflecting on the relationship between our actions and their consequences or create a piece of short fiction with the same theme as “A Sound of Thunder.”

Identifying Symbolism and Allegory in Hawthorne’s “Young Goodman Brown” and King’s “The Man in the Black Suit” Understanding Short Stories on a Figurative and Literal Level

Symbolism Using an object, action or word to stand for an abstract idea or concept

Allegory -a story in which the characters and events are symbols that stand for ideas about human life -most common example is the fable -story not meant to be taken literally, but figuratively

Meaning: Literal v. Figurative LITERAL FIGURATIVE When speech or writing is not literal, it is figurative, like when you say you have a ton of homework. [From Vocabulary.com.] Synonym: metaphorical “a meaning that is different from the basic meaning” Merriam-Webster Not literal • actual and exact meaning of a word or event • The “dictionary definition” of a word • Taking words in their usual or most basic sense without metaphor or allegory

Allegory • Look at this short clip from the film Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, in which Hermione reads the allegorical “Tale of the Three Brothers.” • Video Link • What ideas can be represented by characters or events from this story?

NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE -1804-1864 -Shares distinction as America’s original ‘goth’ with Edgar Allan Poe (root, Gothic) -author of The Scarlet Letter -Dark Romanticism: pessimistic literature which views human nature as prone to self-destruction (often involves the supernatural, the sinister, and dark imagery)

Symbolism and Hawthorne’s “Young Goodman Brown” First Step: Understanding the Story • As you read and listen to the story, answer the Reading Comprehension Questions. They are written in the order of the story. • This counts as one of your Reading Comprehension/Critical Reading Quizzes.

Potential Symbols in “Young Goodman Brown” The Path The Wilderness Faith’s Pink Ribbons The Old Man’s Serpent-Headed Staff **What about the Old Man himself, or even “Goodman” Brown?

Symbolism and Hawthorne’s “Young Goodman Brown” Second Step: Identifying the Symbols • Re-read the story and use your highlighter to mark where at least two (out of three) symbols appear in the text. • On each of your 2 symbolism handouts (Symbol Graphic), draw a graphic representation of one of the symbols you have identified. • Write down a portion of the line in which the symbol appeals in the text.

Symbolism and Hawthorne’s “Young Goodman Brown” Second Step: Understanding the Symbols • After you have created a graphic representation of each symbol and identified its location in the text, write down your opinion about what you believe the symbol represents. • Tape, staple or glue your handouts into your Writer’s Notebook.

Symbolism and Hawthorne’s “Young Goodman Brown” Third Step: Thematic Reflection #2 • Create at least one full-page entry in your Writer’s Notebook that explores the idea of a journey into darkness in your own life. OR • Create your own allegory. Be sure to pay attention to how your symbols or characters will represent your ideas about human life/morality.

Indirect and Direct Characterization in Stephen King’s “The Man in the Black Suit” Revealing personality through express statements and by implication

CHARACTERIZATION The process by which an author reveals or develops the personality of a participant in a story

Direct v. Indirect Characterization DIRECT CHARACTERIZATION INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION Indirect Characterization occurs when the author gives clues or hints about the personality of a character through five basic methods (STEAL): Speech: What does the character say? How does the character speak? Thoughts: What is revealed through the character’s private thoughts and feelings? Effect On Others: What is revealed through the character’s effect on other people? How do other characters feel or behave in reaction to the character? Actions: How does the character behave? Looks: What does the character look like? How does the character dress? • Direct Characterization occurs when the author tells the audience what the personality of a character is. • Example: “The patient boy and quiet girl were both well mannered and did not disobey their mother.” • Explanation: The author is directly telling the audience the personality of these two children. The boy is “patient,” and the girl is “quiet.”

Characterization in “A Sound of Thunder” Direct Characterization “Sh!” Travis jerked angrily. “He hasn’t seen us yet.” What character trait is expressly revealed? • Indirect Characterization: • “’ . . . Traveling you back in time sixty million years to bag the biggest game in all of Time. Your personal check’s still there. Tear it up.’ • Mr. Eckels looked at the check. His fingers twitched.” • What character trait can we infer?

Characterization in “Young Goodman Brown” Direct Characterization: “Goodman Brown recognized a very pious and exemplary dame.” What character trait is expressly revealed? • Indirect Characterization: • “On the Sabbath day, when the congregation were singing a holy psalm, he could not listen because an anthem of sin rushed loudly upon his ear . . . “ • What character trait can we infer?

Stephen King -Born 1947 (still alive, of course) -Author of 55 novels and almost 200 short stories -Considered a master of horror and suspense, as well as the modern-day Edgar Allan Poe -”The Man in the Black Suit” is King’s homage (tribute) to Hawthorne’s “Young Goodman Brown.”

Activities for your Writer’s Notebook • In your Literature Circles, each group member should have a different role for each section of the reading. There will be three sections. • There are four roles so you will not be performing all of the tasks; however, no more than two group members can perform the same task simultaneously. • At least one group member must serve as a summarizer for each section. • Each group member must add at least one indirect and one direct example of characterization per section to their Characterization Charts.

Elements of Fiction