Plotting for Failure
Decipher whether this statement is true or false: While most do, not all stories have plot.
False.
What is narrative voice?
It's the point-of-view the narrator uses. The most common are: First-Person, Third-Person, and Third-Person Omnipresent.
What is conflict in a story?
Conflict is the obstacle that the protagonists (a.k.a. the main characters) face.
True or False: Setting does not only refer to a place, but also a time period.
True. Setting involves where the characters are, and when the story is taking place; so the setting of a story involves not only where, but when.
How many types of characterization are there (don't include the names in your answer)?
There are two types of characterization.
What is theme?
The theme is the overall message or moral of a story.
Define plot (don't mention the elements of plot).
Plot is the sequence of events in a story.
Describe the words we use when writing in first-person.
I, me, we
True or False: A story does not need conflict to be complete.
False: Conflict is a vital part of a story. Without it, a story wouldn't be entertaining.
How does setting contribute to the theme of a story? (For double points, provide an example from "Everyday Use".)
Setting is when and where a story takes place. Where someone is and the time that they're there can have a big impact on characters and their thinking. This is how setting can contribute to the theme of a story. For example, in "Everyday Use", the author the setting chose depicted that the family wasn't very wealthy but even still, they appreciated their place of dwelling. This aspect of the setting helped to contribute to the theme of Home in the story.
Define characterization (don't mention the types of characterization).
It's the actions or qualities that make up a character in a story, and there are two different types of characterization.
What is symbolism?
An object, trait, or idea that represents something.
What are the five elements of plot in the correct order?
1. Exposition, 2. Rising Action, 3. Conflict, 4. Falling Action, 5. Resolution.
Describe the words we use when writing in third-person.
They, their, him, her, he, she, etc.
For half points, name just one type of conflict. For the full 300 points, give a specific example from literature or pop culture of that conflict.
There are multiple correct answers for this question. One of them for example, is Character vs. Character, like Spiderman vs. Mysterio in Spiderman FFH. There are two characters that have conflicting interests, which is what makes up character vs character conflict.
What is the time period and region (North, East, South, or West) that the story "Everyday Use" takes place in or is set in?
The story "Everyday Use" is set during the sixties in the southern region.
What are the two types of characterization? (Full points if you state the types with explanation of what they are, and half points if you only state the types of characterization.)
Indirect and Direct. Indirect characterization provides details about the character (such as their personality traits for example) through dialogue. Direct characterization explicitly states details about the character (such as their looks for example). To sum it up, direct means explicit or clearly stated, and indirect means that the reader has to infer the information about the character.
Give an example of universal theme (a universal theme is a theme that is relatable for a majority of readers).
Coming of age. This can be seen as a universal theme because we all grow up, go through adolescence, and experience life. This is relatable for a wide range of people, which matches the definition of a universal theme. So this is why coming of age is a universal theme.
What does the exposition consist of?
The exposition introduces the characters, setting, and briefly hints at the conflict of the story.
What does third-person omnipresent mean?
This is when the narrator of the story is all-knowing. They know and tell each character of the story's thoughts and feelings.
How many conflict types are there, and what are they?
There are four conflict types: Character vs Character, Character vs Self, Character vs Nature, and Character vs Society.
When is the setting introduced in the story? (Don't say beginning, middle, or end. Instead, name one of the five plot elements that setting is first introduced in.)
The setting is first introduced in the exposition of a story.
What type of characterization does the following sentence fall under? "Sarah has brown hair and blue eyes." Explain your answer for full points.
This is direct characterization. How do we know? Because the sentence clearly states information about Sarah, we do not have to guess or infer anything about her looks; so then, because it's plainly stated, this falls under direct characterization.
What was one of the themes used in “Everyday Use”?
Heritage.
DOUBLE POINTS and EXTRA TIME: Name one plot event from a movie or any book of your choice, and describe which plot element it's apart of.
There are many correct answers.
What is the narrative voice used in "Everyday Use" by Alice Walker, the story we've just read as a class?
The story is written in first-person. In the story, Mama often uses words such as, "I, we, she", which indicates first-person narration.
What is at least one of the conflict types in "Everyday Use"? (For half points simply give the answer, for full points briefly explain your answer.)
For example: Character vs. Character. As a brief explanation, Dee often used condescending remarks when talking with her family which caused contention. This is an example of Character vs. Character conflict, and how it was shown in the story itself.
What is at least one aspect of the setting in "Everyday Use"?
We know that Momma and Maggie live in a run-down home with possibility of large fields for farming.
DOUBLE POINTS and EXTRA TEN SECONDS. Have just one person from the team write an "on the spot" example of indirect characterization in the class chat.
For example you could write: "Out of nowhere, Lauren became furious with her co-worker; She and her co-worker always argue, and Lauren is typically the one to start it."
This is an example of indirect characterization. How? Because while that quote doesn't explicitly state details about Lauren's personality (as is the case with direct characterization), we can infer from the quote that Lauren may be problematic or hot-headed. Since we had to use inference to come to a conclusion, it is indirect characterization rather than direct.
Give an on-the-spot example of symbolism and what it represents.
An example of a symbolism is color. The color red for example, often represents anger.