This document outlines the key elements of fiction that should be discussed in an oral report, including setting, plot, characterization, point of view, and theme. It provides descriptions of the components to analyze for each element, such as describing the main characters, identifying the type of conflict, and using examples from the book to support the identified theme.
This home work is for the story by Flannery OConnor, A Good Man I.docxjwilliam16
This home work is for the story by Flannery O"Connor, A Good Man Is Hard To Find. As we study and discuss the story in class we learn about the power of a narrator, the carefully created traits of supporting characters, the power of setting and how the author uses these tools to describe the chosen theme. This two page paper asks you to focus on making a connection between
a
(one) literary term and the primary text. This paper is short, hence ONE very specific aspect of the text must be chosen to discuss. The term you choose must be explained in detail. The necessity, presence, and relevance of this aspect throughout the story must be shown clearly. These are the terms
Plot
– The structure of the action; the meaningful manipulation of the action; one aspect of the total design of the story.
Action
– NOT a single event (boring!), but rather a series of events having
unity and significance
.
Narration
– To narrate is to tell a story, to tell what happened. Always be mindful of who the narrator is, where we are getting the story from. Is our narrator reliable? Trustworthy? Damaged?
Be mindful when reading texts chosen for this course to pay attention to
when narration shifts
.
Theme
– Not to be thought of as merely the topic of the story. It is what is made of the topic. It is the idea, the significance, the interpretation of persons and events in the total narrative. It is what we (as the reader) are to make of the human experience rendered in the story – always involving, (directly or indirectly) some comment on values in human nature and conduct.
Symbol
– An object, character, or incident that stands for something else, or suggests something else. The crown, the cross, or the flag are conventional symbols, but the symbols we are concerned with in these texts are not conventional. In fiction an author must make use of symbols at some level, not everything can be spelled out for us!
Foreshadowing
– (my favorite ‘f’ word) – The process of giving the reader a hint or clue of some event which is to follow late in the action. We (the reader) cannot make a blind leap, there must be some reasonable connection between the events – it may not be revealed as soon as we’d like, but it must be a logical connection.
Characters
– Characters are not real people! Be careful not to get too caught up with asking yourself whether or not you like this person, whether you’d hang out with them, or shouting at them to make better decisions. Pay attention to character traits and what they reveal about them; how they interact with other characters (and what that reveals), and what action or symbols are expressed through either characters alone of their involvement with others.
Setting
– The setting of a text is very relevant to all of the above; the traits of characters and how they interact with others; what kind of action can take place and when; they type of symbols that are present, and the theme, what message the author .
1. Oral Report: Elements of Fiction Chart
Elements of Fiction
Setting
-geographic location
-time location
-socioeconomic character of the
location
-specific location-like a school,
camp, etc. - Who narrates?
Plot
-Describe the Exposition, rising
action, climax, falling action, and
resolution.
-Identify the conflict and state
what type of conflict it is.
Characterization
-Present 2 or 3 main characters;
describe their physical and
personality traits.
-Tell whether they are round or
flat, dynamic or static.
-Is there an
antagonist/protagonist?
Point of View
- Who narrates?
-What type of point of view is it?
(Omniscient, limited omniscient,
or 1st person)
-How do you know?
Theme
-What is the main message of
this story?
-Is there more than one
message?
-How do you know this is the
message? (Use
examples/occurrences from the
book to support your choice of
theme)