1. Elements of Literature

2. 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.

3. Plot Diagram

4. Setting Time: period of time in which 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. Characterization Characteristic: PHYSICAL attribute of a character. Trait: PERSONALITY attribute.

8. 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.

9. Conflict - problem! Internal: Character v self External:  Character v character  Character v nature  Character v society

10. 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.

11. 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 author’s attitude or feeling about a subject. Genre: a type of literature.

12. 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.

13. Theme Theme: a common thread or repeated idea that is incorporated throughout a literary work. A theme is a thought or idea the author presents to the reader about life or human nature. The theme allows the reader to understand part of the author’s purpose in writing the book.