Elements

ofPlot

Plot Diagram

• Static: does not change throughout the story.

• Dynamic: changes throughout the story.

• Flat: very little information provided • Round: author fully describes this

character.

Characterization• How the author develops the characters,

especially the main character. • This is done through:

– what the character does or says– what others say of and to the character– author’s word choice in descriptive passages

Characterization• Direct characterization

– The author directly states what the character’s personality is like. Example: cruel, kind

• Indirect characterization– Showing a character’s personality through

his/her actions, thoughts, feelings, words, appearance or other character’s observations or reactions

• Internal: Character v self• Example: the character and big decision

he/she has to make

• External: – Character v character

• Example: the character vs. a bully at school

– Character v nature• Example: the character must fight a raging

hurricane

– Character v society• Example: The character fighting against

racism or prejudice

• 1st person: the person telling the story is one of the characters in the story. It is the “I” point of view.

• 3rd person limited: the narrator telling the story is not one of the characters in the story. He or she is an outside observer.

• 3rd person omniscient: the narrator is not a character in the story. The narrator is considered to be “all knowing” and can see and hear everything that is happening to all characters in the story; can tell the reader what each is thinking and feeling.

• Situational: the difference between what is expected to happen and the way events actually work out.

• Verbal: occurs when the speaker means something totally different than what he or she is saying.

• Dramatic: occurs when facts are not known to the characters but are known by the audience.

Imagerythe use of

words and phrases that appeal to the five senses.

GenreA type of literature.

Denouement:[dey-noo-mahn]

the portion of a story following the climax, in which the conflict is resolved.