Elements of Literature
1) Character: the people or animals in the story
Protagonist: the main character
Antagonist: the person or force against the protagonist
Dynamic character:a literary or dramatic character who undergoes an
important inner change, as a change in personality or attitude.
Example: Ebeneezer Scrooge from A Christmas Carol is a dynamic character.
Lucy Pevensie from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is a dynamic
character.
Static character: a character who undergoes little or no inner change or
growth in the course of a story.
Example: Cinderella’s Stepmother from “Cinderella” is a static character.
2) Setting: time, place, and culture/environment in which the story takes place
3) Plot: the sequence of events in the story (what happens)
- Exposition– like you, the characters in a story have a history, details about their pasts that are important to understanding their personality and their present lives. It is important that readers know some of these details in order to understand a story. This is called the exposition. It is the background information on the characters and setting explained at the beginning of the story. The exposition is often the first part of the plot.
- Rising Action – the stage of the plot that develops the conflict or struggle. Events occur that make the conflict more complicated and build toward a climax or turning point.
- Conflict – problem faced by the characters
Internal conflict: conflict within the character
External conflict: conflict the character has outside of themselves (with others, with nature, etc.)
- Climax – often the most exciting part of the story – sometimes referred to as the ‘turning point’ of the story, when the plot changes for better or for worse for the main character(s).
- Falling Action – the story begins to draw to a close. Events in the falling action show the results of the important decision/action that happened at the climax. Tension eases as the final action begins.
- Resolution–the conflict is resolved
Reminder: Although many stories follow the “classic” plot mountain, with the climax/turning point at the peak, there are many variations of plot diagrams. It all depends on the plot of the story.
4) Theme:the central, underlying, and controlling idea or insight of a
work of literature; the idea the writer wishes to convey about the
subject/the writer’s view of the world or a revelation about human
nature
Examples:
- possible themes of The Giver by Lois Lowry – the importance of memory; the relationship between pain and pleasure; the importance of the individual
- possible themes of Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry – loyalty toward friends; discovering one’s place in the world; accepting yourself the way you are
- possible themes of Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse – survival during hard times; the importance of family; growing up
5) Point of View: the perspective from which the story is told
- First Person - The narrator is a character in the story who can reveal only personal thoughts and feelings and what he or she sees and is told by other characters. He can’t tell us thoughts of other characters.
- Second Person – uses personal pronouns like you, your, and yours. It is often used for giving directions, offering advice, or providing an explanation. This perspective allows the writer to make a connection with his or her audience by focusing on the reader.
- Third-Person Objective - The narrator is an outsider who can report only what he or she sees and hears. This narrator can tell us what is happening, but he can’t tell us the thoughts of the characters.
- Third-Person Limited - The narrator is an outsider who sees into the mind of one of the characters.
- Third-Person Omniscient - The narrator is an all-knowing outsider who can enter the minds of more than one of the characters.
6) Tone - The author’s attitude, stated or implied, toward a subject. Some possible attitudes are respectful, humorous, positive, and negative. An author’s tone can be revealed through choice of words and details.
7)Foreshadowing - the author’s use of written hints or clues to suggest what will happen later in the story
8) Symbolism – In writing, symbolism is the use of a word, a phrase, or a description, which represents a deeper meaning than the words themselves.
9)Mood- The climate ofemotional feeling in a literary work. The choice of setting, objects, details, images, and words all contribute towards creating a specific mood.
10) Irony - Irony is the contrast between what is expected or what appears to be and
what actually is.
- Verbal Irony - The contrast between what is said and what is actually meant (ex: sarcasm)
- Irony of Situation - This refers to a happening that is the opposite of what is expected or intended.
- Dramatic Irony - This occurs when the audience or reader knows more than the characters know.
11)Imagery – writing that uses descriptive language to appeal to the five senses
12)Allusion – a brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or idea of historical, cultural, literary, or political significance. It does not describe in detail the person or thing to which it refers. It is just a passing comment, and the writer expects the reader to possess enough knowledge to spot the allusion and grasp its importance in a text.
Examples:
- Although Jeanie was a beauty, her boyfriend was definitely a beast. – This is a reference to a fairy tale.
- This place is like a Garden of Eden. – This is a biblical allusion.