Lance Ivan T.

Insigne
12 STEM 21
21st Century Literature

Elements of Narrative
Characterization
o Characterization is the way in which authors convey information about their characters.
Characterization can be direct, as when an author tells readers what a character is like (e.g.
"George was cunning and greedy.") or indirect, as when an author shows what a character
is like by portraying his or her actions, speech, or thoughts. Descriptions of a character's
appearance, behavior, interests, way of speaking, and other mannerisms are all part of
characterization.
Setting
o Where does it happen? What is the significance of the place? This usually includes
geography and cultural, religious or political background that serves as a backdrop that
supports the storys action. When does it happen? What is the significance of the time? This
usually includes the year, season, month, day of the week, hour of day. Is the specific time
and place vague or missing altogether? Then its a universal story that could take place in
any time or place. In some stories, the setting is a crucial element; in others, it is not at all
important.
Plot
o The plot is how the author arranges events to develop his basic idea; It is the sequence of
events in a story or play. The plot is a planned, logical series of events having a beginning,
middle, and end. The short story usually has one plot so it can be read in one sitting. There
are five essential parts of plot:
o Introduction/Exposition
The introduction is where the basic characters and plot elements such as setting are
revealed. In most cases the major conflict of the story, novel or script is also hinted
at in the introduction, though smaller conflicts in the plot may be introduced later on.
o Rising Action
Taking place within the first third of a story, novel or script, the rising action is also
the part of the work where the problem or conflict central to the plot is truly
introduced. The main characters have been established and events begin to get
complicated for them. They may take actions against the conflict though it will
probably not be solved yet. This element of the plot is where excitement, tension and
crisis are encountered.
MAN V. MAN Protagonist (hero) v. Antagonist (villain)
MAN V. HIMSELF Good v. evil, fear v. duty, training v. instinct, duty v.
pride, etc.
MAN V. SOCIETY An individual v. a group. Traditional elements of society
include government, religion, education, business, media, family structure
MAN V. NATURE Man against the forces of nature. Nature as a character
only speaks through its actions against the protagonist; therefore, you must
interpret what Nature is saying through its actions.
o Climax
The climax is the turning point of a story, novel or script. It is the moment where it
seems like the main character is in danger or could even possibly fail at resolving
the conflict. Depending on the kind of conflict being faced (man vs. man, man vs.
self, etc.) the actions at this point in the work can be either physical or mental
o Falling Action/Denouement
 Taking place after the climax, the falling action includes events that will help to fully
resolve the conflict. The results of actions that the main character has taken are
presented as well as the results of decisions that have been made, whether good or
bad for the character.
o Resolution
The end of a story, novel or script includes the last plot element -- the resolution. It
is here that loose ends are tied up, conflicts are concluded, outcomes are revealed
and a happy or sad ending takes place. As many of the final actions have already
taken place, a resolution can be made up of a just a summary of where the main
character will end up in the future, instead of including any more active events.
Theme
o The theme is the central meaning of a narrative. It tells the reader what the work is about.
The theme is expressed through what the characters say, do and think and through the
actions that take place within the story. The theme also is revealed in how the plot and
setting of the narrative are constructed and presented.
Point of View
o Point of View is the perspective from which the events in the story are observed and
recounted. To determine the point of view, identify who is telling the story, that is, the viewer
through whose eyes the readers see the action (the narrator).
o First Person
FIRST PERSON narrator is when the author/narrator is inside the story, telling the
story as a major or minor character who says I. Most first person stories are direct
characterization because the author tells what he or she is thinking.
o Second Person
SECOND PERSON narrator, telling the story with you is very rare.
o Third Person
THIRD PERSON OMNISCIENT narrator is when the author/narrator is outside the
story but still tells what the characters are thinking. This is direct characterization
THIRD PERSON LIMITED narrator is outside the story and gives the feelings of a
single characterdirect. Other characters are viewed objectivelyindirect.
THIRD PERSON OBJECTIVE narrator is when no ones feelings are told. We
surmise by their actions, comments, and how others react. This is eye of the
camera technique, as if it were a movie or TV. It is indirect.

Figures of Speech
Simile
o Simile is a comparison between two unlike things using the words "like" or "as." Examples
are:
As slippery as an eel
Like peas in a pod
Metaphor
o Metaphor compares two unlike things or ideas. Examples are:
Heart of stone
Time is money
Hyperbole
o Hyperbole uses exaggeration for emphasis or effect. Examples are:
Ive told you a hundred times
It cost a billion dollars
Personification
o Personification is giving human qualities to non-living things or ideas. Examples are:
The flowers nodded
Snowflakes danced
 Onomatopoeia
o Onomatopoeia is a word that sounds like what it is describing. Examples are:
Whoosh
Splat
Irony
o Irony is when there is a contrast between what is said and what is meant, or between
appearance and reality. Examples are:
How nice! she said, when I told her I had to work all weekend. (Verbal irony)
Apostrophe
o Apostrophe is an exclamatory rhetorical figure of speech, when a speaker or writer breaks
off and directs speech to an imaginary person or abstract quality or idea.
Ex: Hello darkness, my old friend I've come to talk with you again
Alliteration
o Alliteration is the repetition of the beginning sounds of neighboring words. Examples are:
She sells seashells.
Walter wondered where Winnie was.
Assonance
o Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in words that are close together. Examples
are:
A - For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels named Lenore (Poe)
E - Therefore all seasons shall be sweet to thee (Coleridge)
Repetition
o Repetition is a literary device that repeats the same words or phrases a few times to make
an idea clearer. There are several types of repetitions commonly used in both prose and
poetry.
Im nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody too? Then theres a pair of us-dont tell!
Theyd banish us you know.
Paradox
o Paradox is a figure of speech in which a statement appears to contradict itself.
Truth is honey which is bitter.
Synecdoche
o Synecdoche is when a part represents the whole or the whole is represented by a part.
Examples are:
Wheels - a car
The police - one policeman
Metonymy
o Metonymy is a figure of speech in which a thing or concept is not called by its own name,
but by the name of something intimately associated with that thing or concept.
Crown. (For the power of a king.)
Oxymoron
o Oxymoron is two contradictory terms used together. Examples are:
Peace force
Kosher ham
Euphemism
o Euphemism is a mild, indirect, or vague term substituting for a harsh, blunt, or offensive
term. Examples are:
'A little thin on top' instead of 'going bald'
'Homeless' instead of 'bum'
Pun
o A pun, also called paronomasia, involves a word play which suggests two or more
meanings, by exploiting multiple meanings of words, or of similar-sounding words, for an
intended humorous or rhetorical effect. Puns are constructions used in jokes and idioms
whose usage and meaning are entirely local to a particular language and its culture.
"Atheism is a non-prophet institution" The word "prophet" is put in place of its
homophone "profit", altering the common phrase "non-profit institution".