In your Notebooks...In your notebook/on a sheet of notebook paper, please write 1 paragraph (5-7 complete sentences) responding to the following prompt:

• Focus on your favorite books, movies, TV shows, etc. Why do you like them? What makes them appealing to you?

• Be as detailed as possible!

What makes a good story?

So, what makes a good story?

Action

Relatable

CharactersPlot

Conflict

HumorTheme

Entertaining

Escape from

reality

Inspiring

Well-written

Exciting

Structure

Setting

Style

Tone

Plot• A series of events that make up a

story or drama• Plot line includes:– Exposition– Rising actions– Climax– Falling actions– Resolution

1. Exposition• This usually occurs at the beginning

of a short story. Here the characters are introduced. We also learn about the setting of the story. Most importantly, we are introduced to the main conflict (main problem).

2. Rising Action

• This part of the story begins to develop the conflict(s). A building of interest or suspense occurs.

6 Universal Conflicts

• Man vs. Man: Character struggles with another character.• Man vs. Nature: A character struggles with a force of nature

(natural disaster, desolation, animal, etc.) Usually, the character is struggling to survive.

• Man vs. Society: a character or a group of characters fight against the society in which they live. The character fights against social traditions or rules (fight for freedom, rights, for a cause etc.)

• Man vs. Technology : Computers, machines, robots, etc. • Man vs. Self: An internal conflict is between a character and

his/her self. The character’s struggle takes place in his/her own mind. Usually has something to do with a choice (choosing between right and wrong), or it may have to do with overcoming emotions or mixed feelings.

Why is CONFLICT important?

• Without conflict, there is no plot!• The plot mountain is created around

the conflict…• Introduced in rising action…• Is faced head-on during climax…• Begins to work itself out during

falling action…• Is resolved during resolution.

3. Climax• This is the turning point of the story.

Usually the main character comes face to face with a conflict. The main character will change in some way.

4. Falling Action

• All loose ends of the plot are tied up. The conflict(s) and climax are taken care of.

5. Resolution• The story comes

to a reasonable ending.

Can you label the Plot Line?

exposition

rising action

climax

falling action

resolution

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

• The central idea or message of a text– View about life and how people behave– Broad idea/message about life,

society, or human nature• Usually implied (not explicitly stated)• Explores timeless and universal ideas• Differs from the subject or topic of a literary

work in that it is a statement• Subject = topic• Theme = statement/opinion about that topic

What is Theme?

• The theme of a work of literature is always a statement

• What statement does the author seem to be making about people, society, government, life, etc.?

• Never expressed in a single word • Does not use “you”

• Never a question“Is love the most important thing in life?”

^ NOT A THEME ^

“Love is the most important thing in life.”^ A THEME! ^

Theme Statements

Example: to find a theme statement for Romeoand Juliet, take a topic present throughout the play make it into a statement. •Topic: Conflict

What is Shakespeare trying to say about that topic? •Theme statement: Long term unresolved conflict between families leads to disaster.

Writing a Theme Statement

• You should resolve all conflicts.

• Great sacrifices are made in the name of love.

• Romeo killed Tybalt in revenge for Mercutio’s death.

• Poor decisions are often made impulsively.

• Blind loyalty causes foolish behavior.

Theme Statement? Yes or No

• Theme statement involves an abstract idea and a comment or observation about that idea that addresses human motivation, condition, behavior, ambition, etc.

• Theme statements: – DO NOT include specific references to the plot or characters– DO NOT moralize (do not say what we “should” do)– DO NOT use absolute words (i.e. anyone, all, none,

everything, must, should, and always)

Remember:

1. Actions or events

2. Characters’ feelings

3. What the character(s) learn

4. Thoughts and conversation

An author expresses Theme through…

• Ideas and feelings are naturally expressed through actions

• What does an action "say“?

• How does the action express an idea or theme?

1. Characters’ actions

• Emotions can be stated or implied– How does the character

feel?– How does the character

make us feel?

• What ideas do these feelings or emotions reflect?

2. Characters’ Feelings

• Main character usually illustrates the most important theme of the story

• What does the main character learn in the course of the story?

• What new knowledge or insight is gained?

3. What the character learns

• Authors put words in their character’s mouths only for good reasons.

• The things a person says are frequently on their mind.

• Look for thoughts that are repeated throughout the story.

4. Thoughts and Conversation

Example: Romeo and Juliet

• Theme Statement: Long term unresolved conflict between families leads to disaster.

• Proof: The street fight between in the first scene

causes a riot and destruction of property.

The fight between Mercutio and Tybalt leads to their deaths.

Romeo’s banishment for killing Tybalt leads to two suicides, a murder and heart attack.

Proving the Theme Statement• Here is where plot comes in

o What examples from the story prove the theme statement?

o Use specific references and quotes from the text that prove your statement is true.