English 6: Introduction to Narrative Conventions PDF

Narrative Conventions Introduction to English 6 Narrative: the telling of related events that center around a central theme or idea  Narrative Conventions are the tools a writer uses when creating a story. These tools ensure that the story can be understood, vis...

Narrative Conventions Introduction to English 6 Narrative: the telling of related events that center around a central theme or idea  Narrative Conventions are the tools a writer uses when creating a story. These tools ensure that the story can be understood, visualised, and enjoyed by the reader. They include: Plot Setting Character Theme Style Point of View  Setting describes the where and when of the narrative, helping to establish mood, develop characters, and enhance the plot PLACE TIME DETAIL The physical location The period or time Other details such as where the story takes frame the story takes information about the place, including place in, such as time environment, climate, geography, landscape, in history, duration of weather, or social and and specific details to plot, time of day, etc. cultural surroundings better understand the help further set the environment. scene for the reader.  PLOT the series of events that make up a piece of fiction Freytag’s Pyramid  Exposition The reader is introduced to the characters, setting, and other important details to help understand the rest of the story. Inciting Incident The event or force that sets the conflict in motion. Serves as the end of the exposition.  Rising Action the tension increases as the character faces the conflict  Climax the turning point of the story, thought of as the most exciting or tense part of the plot  Falling Action the “winding down” of the tension as the central conflict moves towards a solution  Resolution the conflict comes to some kind of conclusion: the problem is solved, all secrets and misunderstandings are explained, etc.  WARM UP label the elements of Freytag’s Pyramid  Your turn! Watch the short film, The Present. Then, with your group, write details for each element of Freytag’s Pyramid to demonstrate your understanding. y.  The pivotal moment/turning point occurs when the boy, after watching the puppy’s joyful perseverance, finally stands up. The audience now sees that the boy also has a physical disability—he uses crutches to walk. This emotional turning point reveals the boy’s deeper struggle and shifts the story toward empathy and self-acceptance. Initially, the boy seems uninterested in the puppy. Inspired by the puppy’s determination, However, his mood turns to frustration and the boy starts to play with the dog, disappointment when he notices that the dog has a deciding to engage despite his initial missing front leg. He pushes the puppy away, resistance. The bond between the two uninterested in bonding with it. Despite the rejection, the puppy remains energetic, begins to form as they both play cheerful, and determined to play. The puppy’s outside, embracing their differences. resilience, especially as it struggles to play with a ball, creates a contrast between the boy’s attitude and the dog’s behavior. Setting: A typical suburban home, present day. Main Characters: A young boy, his mother, and a small dog. The boy’s mother interrupts his Introduction: The boy is playing gaming by giving him a present. The boy and the puppy happily play video games when his mother brings him a gift—a box with a puppy He opens the box to find a puppy together outside, having both accepted inside. At first, the boy seems inside. This event sets the main their disabilities and limitations. The boy’s disinterested and dismissive, plot in motion, as the puppy emotional growth is complete, and he focused on his games rather than the becomes central to the boy’s forms a strong, positive connection with gift. emotional journey. the dog, symbolizing his newfound acceptance of himself.  Your turn! Watch the short film, The Wishgranter List at least ten details about the setting. Then, using your list, turn and talk with a partner to discuss how these setting details impact the story.  Story Structures how the narrative elements of the story are arranged to develop the narrative. Linear Nonlinear Circular Parallel Events unfold in a Plot events will be The story ends in a way This story structure has chronological or introduced outside their that goes back to the two or more separate sequential structure: the chronological sequence. beginning, creating a storylines running at the story is told in order The first scene of a story deeper understanding same time. They are with a clear beginning, may actually be the last and a sense of linked by common middle, and end. event that occurs in the completeness. characters, events, or plot. themes.  Characterization the process by which writers describe and develop characters The author will provide several details about a character’s personality at different moments to help the reader understand their feelings, motivations, actions, and relationships with others. Adding up all of these descriptions creates multi-faceted but realistic characters, helping the reader connect with them more fully. Taking note of these descriptions will help readers understand how a character develops or changes as a result of the conflict.  Direct Characterization The author states a character’s specific trait(s) In Where the Red Fern Grows, Billy is a determined and resourceful boy. Here, the author directly tell us the traits he wants us to know about Billy: he is determined, he is resourceful.  Indirect Characterization The author shows a character’s traits through details - it is up to the reader to infer the character’s personality traits Since Billy’s family had little money, Billy worked odd jobs around town to earn his own cash. Billy saved his earnings for two full years until he could finally buy his hunting dogs. Here, the author reveals Billy’s traits by describing his actions, background information, and goals. We can infer from this description that Billy is resourceful and determined, even though this is not directly stated.  Indirect Characterization Speech Thoughts Effects Actions Looks a how this sometimes what physical character’s character is a characters movement internal viewed by character’s say, and and thoughts and appearance how they behavior and interacts reveals say it emotions with others traits  Your Turn! Sample Answer Watch the introduction to the film Beauty and the Beast, paying attention to the Prince’s characterization. Record four examples of direct characterization Describe two examples of indirect characterization, and state which traits are revealed. All stories are filled with a number of characters, each having a specific purpose or role in the text. When analyzing characters, knowing their type helps us better understand or infer characterization details.  Character Types 1 PROTAGONIST: the central or main character in the story 2 ANTAGONIST: a character or force that opposes and creates problems for the protagonist  Character Types 1 STATIC: a character that does not change noticeably or significantly 2 DYNAMIC: a character that changes significantly due to the events of the story  Character Types 1 ROUND: a complicated character that has many sides and emotions 2 FLAT: a simple character that demonstrates only a few traits  Theme a universal idea, lesson, or message explored throughout a work of literature. these ideas that not only apply to the specific characters and events of a story, but also express broader truths about human experience that readers can apply to their own lives Love Revenge Judgement Forgiveness Truth Fate  Thematic Thematic Concepts Statements the broader topic a text what the work says touches upon, written about that topic, written as a single word as a short phrase LOVE LOVE CANNOT BE BOUGHT  Narrative Conventions QUIZ