lesson 8: narrative structure
We begin our study of how a fiction story (a narrative) is built--its structure.
Please skip slide 2 and 3 at this time. Go to slide 4.
I recommend drawing out the narrative structure diagram and labeling it. Even if you don't keep it, the act of drawing it out will help you remember it.
Believe it or not, a story has a certain way it is written, or crafted. There are a few different ways a story's structure can be modified, or changed, but for the most part, every story that has ever been written, is being written now, or will be written will have follow this structure:
Please skip slide 2 and 3 at this time. Go to slide 4.
I recommend drawing out the narrative structure diagram and labeling it. Even if you don't keep it, the act of drawing it out will help you remember it.
Believe it or not, a story has a certain way it is written, or crafted. There are a few different ways a story's structure can be modified, or changed, but for the most part, every story that has ever been written, is being written now, or will be written will have follow this structure:
Narrative structure--piece by piece
Exposition--the beginning of the story
Rising Action--events start to happen
Climax--the most exciting part, the conflicts (problems) of the story all come together
Falling Action--the problems are all solved, or somehow end
Resolution--the end of the story
Knowing the narrative structure (aka plot structure) of writing is essential (important) for your complete understanding of literature, reading, and writing. This isn't just a lesson in an online course, this is a concept (idea) that all well-educated readers and writers are aware of.
Rising Action--events start to happen
Climax--the most exciting part, the conflicts (problems) of the story all come together
Falling Action--the problems are all solved, or somehow end
Resolution--the end of the story
Knowing the narrative structure (aka plot structure) of writing is essential (important) for your complete understanding of literature, reading, and writing. This isn't just a lesson in an online course, this is a concept (idea) that all well-educated readers and writers are aware of.
other elements of a narrative
Every story that has ever existed or will ever exist has a narrative structure. There are other elements (characteristics) that narratives have. In this lesson we will spend time learning about conflict and characters.
CONFLICT
Every story has a conflict. The conflict is the problem in the story.
Please return to slide 2 at this time.
In the study of literature, there are 4 types of conflicts that exist in stories:
1. Man v. Man--one person fighting another
2. Man v. Nature--one person battling nature
3. Man v. Society--one person fighting all the other people in the world, or fighting against laws, or a cultural mindset
4. Man v. Self-- one person battling against his or her own mind, feelings or impulses
View the following for another explanation:
CONFLICT
Every story has a conflict. The conflict is the problem in the story.
Please return to slide 2 at this time.
In the study of literature, there are 4 types of conflicts that exist in stories:
1. Man v. Man--one person fighting another
2. Man v. Nature--one person battling nature
3. Man v. Society--one person fighting all the other people in the world, or fighting against laws, or a cultural mindset
4. Man v. Self-- one person battling against his or her own mind, feelings or impulses
View the following for another explanation:
Complete the interactive on slide 3 for practice with identifying the different conflict types found in 'The Cold Equations.' (Man! It's a good thing you read that story and/or watched the video of it posted to the weebly page for lesson 5!)
CHARACTER
Now we are on slide 6
The two most important types of characters in any and every story are the protagonist and the antagonist.
Protagonist--the main character, usually (but not always) the good guy.
Antagonist--the main character's opposite, usually(but not always) the bad guy
CHARACTER
Now we are on slide 6
The two most important types of characters in any and every story are the protagonist and the antagonist.
Protagonist--the main character, usually (but not always) the good guy.
Antagonist--the main character's opposite, usually(but not always) the bad guy
short story vs. Novel
On slide 7, you are shown a chart comparing the short story and the novel. Notice they both have plot structure, and of course, they both have conflict types and protagonists and antagonists.
So, they are both kinds of stories, it's just that a novel is longer than a short story. But you knew that!
So, they are both kinds of stories, it's just that a novel is longer than a short story. But you knew that!
assessment: Quiz and Discussion
1. Complete the 10 question quiz
I highly suggest knowing:
climax
exposition
Man v. Nature
internal conflict
protagonist
antagonist
the difference/similarity between a novel and short story
the story, 'The Cold Equations'
2. Participate in a class discussion for points. On slide 10, click the links to post your thoughts about the given prompt.
You're getting good now!!
I highly suggest knowing:
climax
exposition
Man v. Nature
internal conflict
protagonist
antagonist
the difference/similarity between a novel and short story
the story, 'The Cold Equations'
2. Participate in a class discussion for points. On slide 10, click the links to post your thoughts about the given prompt.
You're getting good now!!