Elements of Literature

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Elements of Literature
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PLOT

• Exposition the characters and setting are
  introduced.
• Rising Action the conflict is revealed.
• Climax the highest point of interest in the
  story.
• Falling action Shows effects of the climax and
  leads to the resolution.
• Resolution conflict is resolved.

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Plot Diagram
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Conflict - problem!

• Internal Character v self
• Example the character and big decision he/she
  has to make
• External
• Character v character
• Example the character vs. a bully at school
• Character v nature
• Example the character must fight a raging
  hurricane
• Character v society
• Example The character fighting against racism
  or prejudice

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Setting

• Time period of time in which a story is set
  (year, day, month, century, time of day)
• Place where the story is set (country, planet,
  state, town, other location)
• Mood the feeling the story conveys to the reader.

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Points of View

• 1st person the person telling the story is one
  of the characters in the story. It is the I
  point of view.
• 3rd person limited the narrator telling the
  story is not one of the characters in the story.
  He or she is an outside observer.
• 3rd person omniscient the narrator is not a
  character in the story. The narrator is
  considered to be all knowing and can see and
  hear everything that is happening to all
  characters in the story can tell the reader what
  each is thinking and feeling.

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Characters

• Static does not change throughout the story.
• Dynamic changes throughout the story.
• Flat very little information provided
• Round author fully describes this character.
• Protagonist Central character of the story.
• Antagonist character who opposes the protagonist
  in some way. Antagonist can be any challenge to
  the protagonist.

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Characterization

• The way an author develops a character
• DIRECT - The author directly states a
  characters physical traits or personality
• INDIRECT The author gives clues to a
  characters nature through the speech, action,
  and thoughts of a character. The reader must
  draw a conclusion about the nature of a
  character.

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Theme

• Theme A theme is a thought or idea the author
  presents to the reader about life or human
  nature.
• Examples
• Honesty is always the best policy
• Appearances can be deceiving.

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Symbolism

• Symbolism using something specific to stand for
  something else, especially an idea. A symbol is a
  person, place, object or action that stands for
  something beyond itself. For example, a dove may
  represent peace. The dove can be seen and peace
  cannot.

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Irony

• Situational the difference between what is
  expected to happen and the way events actually
  work out.
• Verbal occurs when the speaker means something
  totally different than what he or she is saying.
• Dramatic occurs when facts are not known to the
  characters but are known by the audience.

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• Foreshadowing the author provides clues or hints
  that suggest or predict a future event in a
  story.
• Flashback an interruption to look back in time
  at a past event.
• Allusion a reference to something else (piece of
  literature, historical event)
• Imagery the use of words and phrases that appeal
  to the five senses.
• Hyperbole exaggeration of truth for emphasis or
  humor.

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• Simile comparison between two unlike things
  using like or as.
• Metaphor comparison between two unlike things
  NOT using like or as.
• Onomatopoeia the use of words to create a sound
  (bang, buzz, woosh)
• Personification giving human traits to animals
  or objects.
• Tone the authors attitude or feeling about a
  subject.
• Genre a type of literature.