Elements of Narrative 7 ELAB The Plot Pyramid

Elements of Narrative 7 ELAB

The Plot Pyramid Exposition – Introduction of characters, setting, and theme. Rising Action – A series of escalating conflicts Climax – The most dramatic conflict that changes the course of the narrative Falling Action – A series of resolutions to the conflict Resolution – How the story ends after an attempt at a resolution

Exposition in The Outsiders

Discussion Questions Characters: Setting: • What type of narrative techniques did S. E. Hinton use to introduce the greasers in The Outsiders? • What narrative techniques did S. E. Hinton use to introduce the setting of The Outsiders? • What details did Hinton mention to provide indirect characterization of Ponyboy? • What elements of the setting did Hinton include in the opening pages? Why do you think she chose these?

Symbol and Dialogue in The Outsiders

Discussion Questions Dialogue: Symbol: • How does Hinton signal to the reader when a character is speaking? • What does the symbol of the greasy hair stand for? • Does how a character speaks say something about them? • How does the symbol of the hair affect other people?

Rising Action in The Outsiders

Discussion Questions Conflicts: Foreshadow: • How does the main conflict between greasers and Socs escalate in the pages presented in the previous slides? • What events does the passage foreshadow? • How does the symbol of hair come up again?

Climax in The Outsiders

Discussion Questions Language: Symbol: • What examples of descriptive phrases and “alive” words did Hinton use to create suspense and drama in this scene? • How does the symbol of the hair reappear in the climax? • How does the dialogue contribute to the anxiety the characters feel in this scene?

Falling Action/Resolution in The Outsiders

Discussion Questions Conflicts: Symbol: • How does the action in this scene provide a type of resolution to the climax? • How does the symbol of the hair resolve in the climax? • How does the resolution change the characters or theme?

Elements of Narrative Glossary Antagonist - the person who actively opposes or is hostile to the protagonist Figurative Language - language that infers a connotative meaning Climax - the particular point in a narrative at which the conflict or tension hits the highest point Foreshadow - an advance hint of what is to come later in the story Dialogue - a literary technique in which two or more characters are engaged in conversation with each other Direct Characterization - when the author specifically reveals traits about the character in a straightforward manner Exposition - a literary device used to introduce background information about events, settings, characters in a story External Conflict - a struggle between a character and an outside force such as nature or another character Genre - a category of artistic composition characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter Indirect Characterization - the process where a writer shows the character's personality through speech, actions and appearance Internal Conflict - a psychological struggle within the mind of a literary character Narrative - a spoken or written account of connected events; a story

Elements of Narrative Glossary Plot - the main events of a story devised and presented by the writer as an interrelated sequence Point of View - the mode of narration that an author employs to let the readers “hear” and “see” what takes place in a story Protagonist - the main character in a piece of literature Resolution - the part of the story's plot line in which the problem of the story is resolved or worked out Rising Action - a series of relevant incidents that create suspense, interest and tension in a narrative Sensory Details - bits of information which describe the five senses Setting - the time and place in which the story takes place in a piece of literature Symbol - a literary device that contains several layers of meaning that are often concealed at first sight Theme - the main idea or an underlying meaning of a literary work that may be stated directly or indirectly Tone - the general character or attitude of a place, piece of writing, situation, etc.