Elements of Literature

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.

Plot Diagram

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.