Elements of Literature
ELEMENTS
Parts of a whole; basic principles
Plot
EVENT
EVENT
EVENT
EVENT
The series of events that connects the
Beginning of the story to the end.
5 Parts of Plot
1. Exposition (or opening) – 1st part of plot.
Author describes setting, introduces characters,
gives background info.
5 Parts of Plot
2. Rising Action – Conflict or complications/
problems the characters face.
CONFLICT A struggle between
opposing characters or
opposing forces
2 Types:
1. Internal conflict – man vs. self
2 Types:
2. External conflict – man vs.
Man, man vs. nature, man vs. beast, man
vs. machine, etc.
5 Parts of Plot
3. Climax – Turning point of story where the
conflict is decided one way or another,
or the solution may have begun.
5 Parts of Plot
4. Falling Action - Author describes how
problem is solved.
5 Parts of Plot
5. Resolution/Denouement (or ending) –
Brings story to a satisfactory end.
Setting is……
Time (when)
Place (where)
Occasion is…
Time &
Place;
The Current
situation
Characters
Person(s), animal(s) or imaginary
creature(s) that take part in the action
of a story.
Characters Cont…
Protagonist – Main character or the one
most central to the action of story. Usually
the hero but this character can be good/ bad.
Characters Cont…
Antagonist – Person, thing, or force that
works against the protagonist, or hero, of a
work. One of the main characters as well. This
character can be good/ bad
Characters Can Be…
Static Characters – Stay the same
throughout the story.
OR
Dynamic Characters – Changes ----They
often learn something.
Point of View
(POV) – Perspective
/ vantage point from
which a story is told.
There are 3
types….
P.O.V.
. First-Person POV– Story is told by one of
the characters.
Pronouns I, me, us, & my are clues to discover 1st
person.
P.O.V.
Second-Person POV – Writing is told using the
word YOU.
Directions, “How To” books and articles, and
textbooks are written in 2nd person. When writing
an essay, DO NOT use the word “you”.
P.O.V.
Third-Person POV – Told by narrator who is
not a character in the story.
Pronouns he, she, & they are clues to discover 3rd
person.
rd
3
Person P.O.V.
3rd person omniscient – Narrator is all
knowing & will relate thoughts and feelings of
two or more characters.
3rd person limited – Narrator will relate
thoughts & feelings of just one character, usually
protagonist.
A group of readers
to whom the story
is directed.
The “voice”
that tells
the story
Speaker vs. Audience
What do all these pictures
have in common??
What happens next?!
Suspense(ongoing part of plot) –
Feeling of anxious curiosity, keeps
the reader interested
Theme
Message the writer/author wants the reader
to take away from the story; the unstated
main idea.
• Most stories have more than 1 theme.
• Some works, like many mysteries, might have no
theme.They are just for entertainment.
Life Lessons!
Subject:
The general
topic or
ideas
contained in
the piece of
work.
Purpose:
The reason behind the text
WHY? To entertain, inform, or
persuade
What about…..?
Magazines?
Newspapers?
Novels?
Encyclopedias?
Inference:
 An educated guess
based on facts taken
“What I read”
from the text to
+ “What I already know”
come to some sort
= Inference
of reasonable
judgment or answer.
Foreshadowing?
Foreshadow
An indication, hint, or suggestion
beforehand that something is going to
happen.
Allusion?
OR
Illusion?
Allusion!
A reference to something
outside of the story with
which the reader is likely to
be familiar, such as a
person, place, or event
from history or literature.
Mood
The feeling that a literary
work gives to readers.
Tone:
Author’s attitude toward a
piece of work.
What’s their Tone?