Setting

All stories take place in a particular time and place. In many works, the setting is as important as

the characters themselves. In addition to the physical place, you should pay attention to the

atmosphere or feel of the setting.

Setting can evoke (call up) a particular mood, such as brightness and cheerless, or drabness (boring) and dreariness (dullness, colourness). The setting can also reveal information about the characters. Paying attention to the environment inhabited by the main characters can be important to understanding the story. The description of the house the character lives in, or the bar he or she hangs out (live, stay) at, can reveal a great deal about the person’s lifestyle, habits, and motives.

As you read the text, consider the following questions related to setting:

! Why did the author choose to set the story in a particular time and location?

! What are the unique characteristics of the setting? How might the story be

different if set in another location or time period?

! How does the setting contribute to the overall theme of the work?

! How does the setting impact the developments of the story?

! How do the characters react to the environment they are in? Are they happy

where they are? Do they seek to change the setting? Are they successful?

! Is the setting used as a metaphor or symbol for anything?

Theme

Ultimately, the theme of the story is the most significant aspect of a literary work. The theme is

what the work is about. What is the author trying to convey (inform, say) by writing the work? Fictional works are not random creations. The structure of the work, the characters, the plot, and the setting should all relate back to the central theme. The theme will not always be simple or obvious. In

some cases, the reader has to infer the author’s intentions by connecting various events and

statements together to form a unifying image.

As you read the text, consider these questions regarding theme.

! What is the theme of the work?

! Is the theme explicitly stated? If so, where does this occur? If not, what

events, actions, or statements reveal the theme?

! How do the various elements of the story (settings, plot, etc.) contribute to the

theme?

! Is there more than one theme of the work? If so, which is the main theme?

Literary Terms / Elements

Plot | Characterization | Point of View | Conflict | Foreshadowing | Irony
Tone/Mood | Symbolism | Theme | Imagery | Figurative Language
List compiled Syzdykov Kanat SDU of Teacher

ELEMENTS OF PLOT

All fiction is based on conflict and this conflict is presented in a structured format called PLOT.

Exposition
The introductory material which gives the setting, creates the tone, presents the characters, and presents other facts necessary to understanding the story.

Foreshadowing
The use of hints or clues to suggest what will happen later in the story.

Climax
The climax reaches a turning point/culmination. It is the high point of the story for the reader. Frequently, it is the moment of the highest interest and greatest emotion. The point at which the outcome of the conflict can be predicted.