Story Elements Terms to Know- Assessment Wed 11/7

These are the terms that will help guide the seminar! You will be assessed on the information in the paper packet you received.


Indirect Characterization: Learn about a character THROUGH hints by the author, how the character acts/goes through, what the character says (dialogue)

Direct Characterization: The Narrator tells about a character. Example: "Gerald was only 3"

Narrative POV: 1st Person (uses "I" (you seeing the story from their eyes), 2nd person (uses "You"), 3rd Person (Uses "he/she/they", NOT a part of the story)

Exposition: EXPOSEs the story. In Urban Lit, the exposition is usually "in your face". It is like this because it's similar to the life in those settings, and engages the reader right away.

Protagonist: main character; matters because the story revolves around this figure. Doesn't always have to be a person. Story wouldn't exist without protagonist.

Mood/Tone: 
Mood: Atmosphere of the book which sets up the vibe and mental image you get from the book
Tone: manner in which the narrator speaks. The way he "speaks" and describes events in the story.

Motifs: symbols/ images that reoccur (pop up a lot). Ideas/Objects that impact the plot. Common motifs that show up in Urban Lit: drugs (abuse, impacts on society), gangs (violence, impacts on society), poverty (people are broke and that messes with the ability to make sound choices, how it impacts in other social classes), lack of education (cycle of bad choices)

Conflict Types:
character vs. machine/supernatural (Transformers & Supernatural)
character vs. self (I Am Legend, Secret Window)
character vs. society: MOST OFTEN in Urban Lit
character vs. character: (Batman)
character vs. nature: (Where the Red Fern Grows, Hatchet, Hunger Games)

**BEST STORIES HAVE MORE CONFLICT TYPES

Connections (3 Types):
Text to Self: You can relate to something in the story
Text to Text: This story reminds you of another text, movie, music/lyrics
Text to World: Making a connection to an event (everything not included above)

Complication:
Obstacle that increases the TENSION in a story, driving the PLOT forward

Climax:
The peak in a story, which creates anticipation and drives the plot forward. There can be many smaller climaxes, and usually one main one.

Dialogue:
Conversation between characters. When people talk in a book, they get to give a unique personality and perspective in the story.

Dramatic Irony:
When the audience knows more about what is happening in the story when the characters don't. This helps build suspense.

Foreshadowing:
When the narrator gives a hint (strong hint) to what is going to happen later in the story.

Theme:
Lesson learned. The message the author is sending to the reader. Part of it is for entertainment, part of it is to pass on a message (maybe to avoid similar errors, or for personal reasons)

Imagery:
Paint a picture you can see inside your head. SHOW instead of TELL...

Irony:

Suspense:
TECHNIQUES the author uses to keep the action going.

Symbol:

Understatement:

Character Angle:
V
F
G
B