1. Elements of Literature

2. Characterization
The methods an author uses to acquaint a reader with the characters in a work. He or she might…
describe the character’s physical traits and personality
report the character’s speech and behavior
give opinions and the reactions of other characters toward this individual
reveal the character by describing the character’s feelings and thoughts.

3. the action usually revolves around the protagonist.
the main character in a work of literature.
the action usually revolves around the protagonist.

4. The character in a work of literature who opposes the main character.
Antagonist
The character in a work of literature who opposes the main character.

5. conflict
A struggle between opposing forces; conflicts can be external (outside forces) or internal (within a characters mind).

6. External Conflict (Struggle with an outside force.)
Man-vs-man
Man-vs-nature
Man-vs-animal
Man-vs-society

7. Internal Conflict (Takes place in the character’s mind.)
Man-vs-Self

8. Point Of View
the perspective from which the story is told

9. First Person:
The narrator of the story is a character in the story telling the story from his/her personal view. The writer uses the pronoun I.

10. Second Person:
When the author speaks directly to the reader. The writer uses the pronoun you.
(Not acceptable in scholarly writing; rarely used in literature.)

11. Third Person Limited:
The narrator reveals the thoughts and feelings of one character.
The writer uses the pronouns he, she, it.

12. Third Person Omniscient:
Told by an outsider having infinite awareness; the narrator can see into the minds of many characters; uses the pronouns he, she, it.

13. Third Person Subjective
The narrator is like a reporter. The narrator tells us the actions and words of the characters, and possibly a physical description. The narrator does not reveal the thoughts or feelings of any characters. The writer uses the pronouns he, she, it, they.

14. The time and the place of the story or novel.
A story can be set in a realistic or imaginary place and can occur in the past, present,or future.
Setting

15. An author’s way of hinting or giving clues to the reader of events or developments that might come later in the story.
Foreshadowing

16. Plot The series of events in a story.
In linear plot development, the events are in chronological order : beginning, middle, end.
The plot centers on at least one major problem called a conflict.

17. Five Main Parts of the Plot
Exposition or beginning: setting and introduction of main characters
Rising Action: Initial incident, suspense, shows conflict or struggle, complications, details, sequence of events
Climax: Greatest emotional response, turning point of the story
Falling Action: Following the climax, the intensity of the story may subside. The falling action describes the results of the major events as the action winds down
Resolution: Conflict, crisis, or struggle resolved
Climax
Rising Action
Falling Action
Resolution
Exposition

18. Exposition
The opening of a short story or novel. It provides background information that the reader needs to know.
It introduces the characters, describes the setting, and may recap important events before the action of the story.

19. The chain of events become more complex
The chain of events become more complex. The actions and feelings of the characters intensify as their problems become more complicated.
Rising Action
Rising Action

20. Climax The highest point of interest
Where most action takes place in the store
Involves an important event,decision, or discovery that affects the final outcome.
Climax

21. Following the climax, the intensity of the story may subside.
The falling action describes the results of the major events as the action winds down.
Falling Action
Falling
action

22. The final part of the story.
Resolution
The final part of the story.
It tells how the story ends. All the loose ends are tied up.

23. Theme
The main idea or underlying meaning of a literary work. The theme includes the topic of the writing and a viewpoint or opinion about the topic. For example:
Greed might be the subject. The theme might be, “Greed is destructive and evil.”
Fighting might be the subject. The theme might be, “Fighting solves nothing.”
Themes are universal.

24. Factors that Influence Mood:
A feeling or emotions that a writing or piece of literature stirs in the reader.
Mood Words:
Hopelessness
Optimism
Loneliness
Despair
Longing
Enthusiasm
Happiness
Peacefulness
Terror
Factors that Influence Mood:
Setting
Details
Images
Description

25. Tone
The approach or attitude that the writer takes toward the subject of the writing.
Cynical Frivolous
Hostile Argumentative
Amusing Playful
Serious Informative

26. Figurative Language
Figurative language uses comparisons to express a relationship between essentially unlike things.
simile
metaphor
hyperbole
personification

27. Examples of Figurative Language
Simile: compares two unlike things using like or as:
My heart soared like an eagle.
Metaphor: an implied comparison between two relatively unlike things without using like or as:
The jealous girls were a bunch of tigers ready to pounce.
Hyperbole: comparison by using an exaggerated statement:
I’m so tired, I could sleep a hundred years!
Personification: compares by giving human characteristics to non-human things:
The river reached for me with icy fingers.

28. Symbolism
Symbolism is using an object or a thing to stand for or to substitute for another thing.
A symbol may be an object a person, and action, or a situation that suggests a meaning beyond its obvious meaning.
For example:
A heart might be used to symbolize love and
affection.
A knife might be used to symbolize
a robber, warrior, or hunter.
Usually, a symbol is a concrete thing (dove) that stands for an abstract idea (peace).

29. Irony
Irony is the contrast between what is expected to happen and what actually happens:
Verbal irony: contrasting what is said to what is really meant.
Situational irony: what occurs in the narrative is opposite of what is intended to happen
Dramatic Irony: the reader knows more than the characters

30. Imagery
Imagery can be created by details in the story that appeal to the senses of sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste.
Sweet, slow drops of rich orange juice drip from the corners of my mouth and dribble down my chin.

31. Suspense
Suspense is created through the reader’s uncertainty about the character’s ability to solve a problem, conflict, or crisis.