Narrative Analysis
For short stories and novels
Plot
The events that make up a story.
Climax
Rising
Action
Beginning
Falling
Action
Resolution
Conflict
Usually what the plot is centered around. 4 types:
• Man versus man
(external)
• Man versus society
(external)
• Man versus nature
(external)
• Man versus himself
(internal)
Point of view
The perspective of the narrative voice
• First person (“I”)
• Third person (“he,” “she”)
-omniscient
(all-knowing; can get inside the heads of all
characters)
-close or limited
(no “I” statements, but still from the point of
view of one character)
Characterization
• Direct (“Bill was a sad man.”)
• Indirect (“Bill walked slowly along the road.
He didn’t talk to anyone.”)
4 types of indirect characterization:
• Speech
(what does the character say?)
• Appearance
(what does the character look like?)
• Thoughts
(what is the character thinking?)
• Actions
(what does the character do?)
Protagonist
The main character. The character we are
following with most closely.
Usually the “good guy”– BUT NOT ALWAYS!
Antagonist
The character who is in conflict with the
protagonist
Usually the “bad guy”– BUT NOT ALWAYS!
Mood
The feeling/emotions the reader gets from a
piece of writing. (Hint– the setting usually plays
a big part in this!)
3 types of irony
• Situational
(when the opposite of you’d expect to
happen happens)
• Dramatic
(when the reader or audience knows
something the characters don’t)
• Verbal
(when someone says the opposite of what
they mean– often used with sarcasm)
Theme statement
• A universal truth
• Big ideas about life
• What message the author is trying to get
across
Figurative Language
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Metaphors
Similes
Personification
Alliteration
Onomatopoeia
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Pun
Oxymoron
Imagery
Extended metaphors
Hyperboles
Symbolism
An object or image in a work of literature which
stands for something else. Represents a deeper
meaning.
Example: the American Flag represents freedom
a red rose represents love, etc.