Literary Elements

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Literary Elements
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Plot

• The sequence of events in a story.
• Terms to know with plot
• Exposition- Introduces the storys characters,
  setting, and conflict.
• Rising Action- Occurs as complications, twists,
  or
• intensification of the conflict.
• Climax- The point of greatest emotional
• intensity, interest, or suspense.
• Falling Action- The action that follows the
• climax.
• Resolution- The final outcome of the story.

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Atmosphere

• The mood or emotional quality of a literary work.
• It is often created with details about people and
  setting.
• What kind of atmosphere is created in The Cask
  of Amontillado?

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Character

• An individual in a literary work they may be
  people, animals, robots, or whatever the author
  chooses.
• Main characters- The most important characters
  all others are minor characters.
• Dynamic character- Develops/changes in the course
  of a literary work, perhaps from a conflict or
  from a newfound understanding of his/herself.
• Static character- Remains the same from beginning
  to end.

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Protagonist Antagonist

• A person/force that opposes the protagonist the
  hero in a story.

• The central character around whom the main
  conflict revolves the villain in a literary work.

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Characterization

• The methods an author uses to show a characters
  traits.
• Direct characterization- The author or narrator
  makes direct statements about a characters
  traits.
• Indirect characterization- The author or speaker
  reveals a characters personality through the
  characters or other characters words, thoughts,
  and actions.

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Conflict

• The struggle between opposing forces in a story.
• External Conflict- A character struggles against
  an outside force.
• -Person vs. person
• -Person vs. nature
• -Person vs. society
• Internal Conflict- A struggle within a character.
• -Character vs. him/herself

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Flashback Foreshadowing

• An earlier episode, conversation, or event is put
  into the chronological sequence of a story.

• An authors use of clues that hint at what will
  occur later in the plot. Help build suspense.

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Irony

• A contrast between appearance and reality.
• Situational irony- The actual outcome of a
  situation is the opposite of what is expected.
• Verbal irony- A person says one thing and means
  another.
• Dramatic irony- The reader knows something that a
  character does not know.

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Point of View

• First-person- The narrator is a character in the
  story, referred to as I.
• Third-person limited- The narrator reveals the
  thoughts, feelings, and observations of only one
  character and refers to that character as he or
  she.
• Third-person omniscient- All-knowing. The
  narrator is not a character in the story, but
  someone who stands outside the story and comments
  on the action.

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Symbol Theme

• An object, person, place, or experience that
  represents something else, usually something
  abstract like an emotion, idea, or way of
  thinking or being.

• The main idea or message in a literary work.
  Insight about life or human nature.
• Stated theme- It is expressed directly.
• Implied theme- It is revealed gradually through
  things such as character, plot, point of view,
  symbols, etc.