January 20, 2015
Literary Elements/
Devices
Literary Elements/
Devices
How do I determine the theme(s) of
a piece of literature?
Step 1- Identify the big ideas or central topics.
Step 2- Find out what the characters do or say
that relates to the central topics.
Step 3- State what the author says about life that
relates to the central topics.
What is the author trying to "say" to you?
Literary Elements/
Devices
• The message the author is trying to get across
to the reader.
• Interwoven ideas that hold a story together.
• Theme is NOT a one-word topic.
> Example: Love is a topic. Love conquers
all is a theme.
> Example: Greed is a topic. Greed ruins
lives is a theme.
Literary Elements/
Devices
Allusion
-a reference to a person, place or event that is
outside the story but is used to help describe
something/someone inside the story
Allusions must be a reference to something
`
that is "well known" as a part of culture.
To identify allusion, ask yourself:
What doesn't fit?
January 20, 2015
Literary Elements/
Devices
Literary Elements/
Devices
Something that is reference in
the story, but doesn't "fit" as a
part of the plot, setting, etc.
Plot
Characters
Suspense
Allusion
Setting
Allusions are often:
*a reference to something Biblical (Adam and
`
Eve, Garden of Eden, etc.)
*a reference to a character or place that's not in
the story ( Ex: None of the characters are
named Rapunzel, but it references someone's
hair being like Rapunzel's.)
Literary Elements/
- when an object or event represents something more
or something other than itself
-a symbol can be an object, person, animal, color or
action
Symbols do shift their meanings depending on the
context they are used in. “A chain”, for example, may
stand for “union” as well as “imprisonment." The
meaning depends on time, place and who!
Let's practice. Drag the word to
the correct symbol.
Devices
How do I identify symbolism?
Tree
Skull & Crossbones
U.S. Flag
-Is there a person, object, color or action that is
being emphasized in the text?
-Is this person, object, color or action
repeatedly mentioned in the text?
Lightbulb
Then it may be symbol!
Freedom
Growth
Apple
Dove
Evil/Temptation
Peace
Intelligence
Danger/Poison
January 20, 2015
Literary Elements/Devices
What is
Literary Elements/Devices
How do I identify motif?
Motif?
Motif is a repeated object or idea in a work.
Motif is easily confused with theme. (Remember, a theme is the
main, overall idea or lesson the author is trying to teach in his book.)
Are there objects, ideas, or concepts I have seen
repeated in this book?
A motif is a smaller idea that we see come up again and again in the
book. A motif can be used to help develop the theme. It also can be
considered
"extended symbolism."
What could that object, idea, or concept mean?
What could that object, idea, or concept teach me
about the theme of the story?