AN ALPHABET OF LITERARY ELEMENTS

(USE TO ANSWER 10 QUESTIONS ON COMPARING NOVELS)

PLOT-the story or sequence of events in a novel or movie

A. EXPOSITION- the part of a literary or dramatic work in which the basic facts of setting and character are made known

B. INITIATING INCIDENT- an especially important event begins, the event that sets

the plot in motion and leads to the climax

C. RISING ACTION- a series of conflicts, events, or struggles that build the plot and lead to the climax

D. CLIMAX (TURNING POINT) - an especially important event, the most important or exciting point in a story, the most intense event

E. FALLING ACTION-in a work of fiction or drama, the events that follow the climax and lead to the denouement (pronounced day-new-ma) or conclusion

F. RESOLUTION-the part of the story in which the main conflict is resolved, the solution to the problem

G. CONCLUSION (DENOUEMENT) - the part of the narrative or story that ties up all loose ends, points to the future

H. FORESHADOWING- to indicate or suggest something, usually something unpleasant, that is going to happen in the story

I. CONFLICT- opposition between characters or forces in a literary work that shapes or motivates the action of the plot.  The five types of conflict are:

1. MAN VS MAN

2. MAN VS SOCIETY

3. MAN VS SELF

4. MAN VS NATURE

5. MAN VS FATE

6. MAN VS SUPERNATURAL

J. PROTAGONIST- the most important character in a novel, play, story, or other literary work.  Usually the hero, this character carries the action forward in the novel

K. ANTAGONIST- a major character in a book, play, or movie whose values or behavior are in conflict with those of the protagonist or hero

L. CHARACTERIZATION-the method an author uses to reveal or describe characters and their personalities and motivations.  Characters are revealed through:

1. HIS OR HER SPEECH

2. HIS OR HER ACTIONS

3. HIS OR HER THOUGHTS

4. HIS OR HER CIRCUMSTANCES

M. POINT OF VIEW-the position or angle from which the story is told. Five points of view are:

1. 1^ST PERSON-story is told by one of the characters

2. 2^ND PERSON-directly talks to the reader

3. 3^RD PERSON OMNISCIENT-story is told by someone outside of the story who is able to see into the mind and thoughts of every character

4. 3^RD PERSON LIMITED OMNISCIENT-story is told by someone outside of the story who is able to see into the mind and thoughts of a few characters

5. 3^RD PERSON OBJECTIVE-story is told by someone outside the story without bias or prejudice

N. IRONY-using a word or phrase to mean the opposite of its literal meaning. The three kinds of irony are:

1. DRAMATIC IRONY-the reader sees the characters’ mistakes but the character himself does not see them

2. IRONY OF THE SITUATION-there is a great difference between the purpose of a particular action and the results

3. VERBAL IRONY-the author says one thing but means another

O. DIALOGUE-conversation between characters in a story.  Dialogue is used to:

1. CONVEY INFORMATION ABOUT THE CHARACTER THROUGH SPEECH AND RELATIONSHIP

2. REFLECT LOCATION OF SETTING THROUGH DIALECT

3. IDENTIFY CHARACTERS AND TONE

4. BRING INFORMATION TO “LIFE”

P. SETTING-the time and place a story takes place

Q. THEME-the main idea or moral lesson the author wishes to convey with the story. To determine theme pay attention to how the main character changes externally and internally.

R. MOOD-the feeling aroused in the reader by the written selection

S. TONE-the attitude with which the author writes the selection

T. SYMBOL-a person, place, thing or event that is used to represent something else in the story

U. STEREOTYPE- an oversimplified standardized image of a person or group, it does not change.  A character is stereotyped if he or she has no individuality and fits into a mold or particular type

V. FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE- all language that involves figures of speech or symbolism and does not literally represent real things

W. METAPHOR- to describe somebody or something in a way that is not meant literally but by means of a vivid comparison, e.g. saying that somebody is a snake.  Metaphors do NOT use the words like or as.

X. SIMILE- a figure of speech that draws a comparison between two different things, especially a phrase containing the word "like" or "as," e.g. "as white as a sheet."

Y. PERSONIFICATION- to give human qualities to objects or abstract notions

Z. HYPERBOLE- deliberate and obvious exaggeration used for effect, e.g. "I could eat a million of these."

 

COMPARE/CONTRAST NOVELS

QUESTIONS

Select TWO out of three of your novels.

Answer ALL of these questions for EACH of the TWO novels you select.

You will end up with two packets, one for each novel.

Type and number your questions and answers.

Answer in complete sentence format.

Skip lines between each question.

Use size 14 and double space your paper.

1. Title, author and genre

2. Protagonist and Antagonist with brief description of each.

State how the PROTAGONIST changed from the beginning of story to end. 

Give at least one example to support your claim

3. Central problem of novel stated in ONE sentence

4. Initiating incident stated in one or two sentences

5. Climax of story stated in one to three sentences

6. Resolution of story stated in one to two sentences.

7. Denouement or Conclusion of story stated in one sentence.

8. Type of conflict with brief explanation

9. Point of View from which the story is being told with brief explanation

10. Theme or Moral of story with one strong example to support your claim

NOTES:

Novels must be selected from Horror/Science Fiction/Fantasy series we just completed.

Use your sticky notes

Due Monday November 16, 2009

Put heading on LEFT side

#2 requires two paragraphs

#10 requires one paragraph

COMPARE/CONTRAST NOVELS

ESSAY

After answering all questions about two of your novels write an essay in which you compare and contrast the MORAL/THEME of these two novels.  WHICH is stronger, more powerful, more universally applicable and WHY?

By examining the protagonist and how he/she CHANGED throughout the course of the novel your will arrive at the THEME or MORAL of the story. 

You need to state what the theme or moral of the story is and support your statement with at least one or two examples or pieces of evidence from the novel.

NOTE: (If you examine and explain how the protagonist changed, what events led to his/her change and what they taught him/her, this will essentially lead you to your theme and your support.)  Then all you need to do is compare/contrast the two themes to identify the strongest one.

Paragraph 1-Introduction

A) General comment or observation (Example: All horror/sci-fi/fantasy novels contain important themes)

B) Narrowing to specific topic of this essay (Example: Something Wicked This Way Comes and Fairest are no exceptions as they both contain protagonists who change greatly and powerful messages.)  Sometimes A and B are combined.

C) Title and author or works under discussion (Example: Ray Bradbury and John Smith create memorable sequences as their main characters undergo transformation. (This may not be a sentence by itself but may instead be inserted into other sentences like D.)

D) Background information (If relevant, which may include time period, setting, social or paranormal issues, etc.)

E) Thesis statement or the claim of your argument. (Example: In Something Wicked This Way Comes, Bradbury develops the stronger of the two themes by showing clearly how love is a more powerful force than evil as Mr. Nightshade risks his life to save his son from Mr. Night.) (Usually a ONE sentence answer to the question or prompt.  It should be more than a restatement of the question.)

Paragraphs 2 and 3-Body  

A) Topic sentence refers to first theme/moral

B) Analysis, extension, example, support of first novel’s theme

C) Supporting evidence could be actions, quotes, paraphrasing, summary statements, interpretations

D) Re-anchor or return to the topic sentence and/or thesis (with opinion and reason)

Paragraph 4-Conclusion

A) Restatement of thesis (only stronger, deeper, more insightful.)

B) Make reference (in a shortened way) to points made in body paragraphs 2 and 3

C) Emphasize your opinion and reasons for your opinion, as to which theme or moral was strongest.

C)  Do not introduce any new topics in this paragraph!

D) Closing statement should wrap up and solidify your argument or position.

Please follow all FORMATTING and THESIS STATEMENT guidelines found on the attached sheet.

Your essay should be at least FOUR PARAGRAPHS long with a minimum of 20 sentences.

Remember to RIGHT JUSTIFY your name and LEFT JUSTIFY your heading.

Remember your THESIS statement is the LAST sentence in your first paragraph. (Funnel introduction.)

Remember your THESIS statement is the FIRST sentence in your closing paragraph. (Reverse funnel conclusion.)  

For this essay only, no parenthetical citations are required, but may be included at your discretion.

Avoid using pronouns I, you, my, yourself, we, our.

Please do not use contractions.

Remember to include all drafts with final draft turn in.

Remember to READ YOUR ESSAY ALOUD in order to identify and correct errors.

Due Date: _______________________________

 

PRE-READING PROJECT

TOM SAWYER

By Mark Twain

1. Select a research project from the Pre-Reading Section of your Tom Sawyer packet.

2. Submit your selection and a brief description to your teacher.

3. Begin your research TODAY.  Bring evidence of your continued work on this research project to class with you DAILY.

4. Finished research projects should contain three pages of writing and should include a BIBLIOGRAPHY citing correctly at least three different sources and a color cover....(for a total of five pages complete.)

5. You must also augment your research project with a drawing, picture or model.

6. Please type in size 14, double space and include your heading.

7. Come prepared to present your report orally to the entire class or to a small group.

8. Early turn in and presentation earns extra credit. (Put heading on the LEFT SIDE)

9. Try to teach us something we don’t already know!

10. Have fun!

COMPARE/CONTRAST NOVEL/THEME ESSAY

TASK:Write an essay in which you compare and contrast the MORAL or THEME of two novels. You must also state which moral is stronger, more powerful, and more universally applicable and supply at lease two reasons or examples to support your claim.  You must also give examples of each of your novel’s themes. (Size 14, double spaced, New Roman Times,  four paragraphs, titled, heading on first page, last name of each page, pages numbered.)

Paragraph 1-Introduction

 A) General comment or observation                          5          _____              _____                         

B) Narrowing to specific topic of this essay               5          _____              _____

C) Title and author or works under discussion         5           _____              _____

D) Background information                                          5            _____              _____

E) Thesis statement or the claim of your argument.  5          _____              _____              _________

Paragraph 2-Body  

A) Topic sentence refers to first novel’s theme          5          ______            ______

B) Example, support of first novel’s theme                 5          ______            ______

C) Supporting evidence could be actions, quotes,       5          ______            ______

paraphrasing, summary statements, interpretations

D) Supporting evidence could be actions, quotes,      5          ______            ______

paraphrasing, summary statements, interpretations

E) Re-anchor or return to the topic sentence and         5          ______            ______            __________

or thesis (with opinion and reason)

Paragraph 3-Body  

A) Topic sentence refers to second novel’s theme      5          ______            ______

B) Example, support of first novel’s theme                 5          ______            ______

C) Supporting evidence could be actions, quotes,       5          ______            ______

paraphrasing, summary statements, interpretations

D) Supporting evidence could be actions, quotes,      5          ______            ______

paraphrasing, summary statements, interpretations

E) Re-anchor or return to the topic sentence and         5          ______            ______            ___________

or thesis (with opinion and reason)

Paragraph 4-Conclusion

A) Reiteration of thesis statement                             5          ______            _______

(only stronger, deeper, more insightful.)

B) Make reference (in a shortened way)                     5          ______            ________

to points made in body paragraphs 2 and 3

C) Emphasize your opinion and reasons                     5          ______            ________

 as to which theme or moral was strongest and why   

C)  Do not introduce any new topics but support        5          ______            ________

your choice with strong evidence/strong wording

D) Closing statement should wrap up and solidify      5          ______            ________            __________

 your argument or position.

TOTAL                                                                   100         _______          ________            ___________

COMMENTS:

TOM SAWYER PRE-READING

MINI RESEARCH PROJECT

Heading-(left side, name, date, period, subject)                 5 _____________            _____________          ___________

Format-(Size 14, double space, Times New Roman)          5 __________          ___________     _________

Writing-(Three pages, error free, interesting, complete)    50 __________        ___________     _________

Drawing/Model/Color Picture       20 __________       ____________   __________

Cover-(Color, title, your name)                                 10 __________       ___________     _________

Bibliography (3 sources, cited correctly)          10 __________         ___________     _________

TOTAL                                                           100 ___________     ____________   __________

COMMENTS: