E L E M E N T S OF L I T E R A T U R E
I. PLOT – series of related events that make up a story
A. Stages of Plot
1. Exposition-The introduces the setting, creates the tone, presents the
characters,
presents other facts necessary to understanding the story and the conflict.
2. Rising Action -A series of events that builds events that become more
intense by the
characters struggle to resolve the conflict.
3. Climax- turning point of the story; emotional high point; problems become
solved
4. Falling Action–The events after the climax which close the story
5. Resolution-outcome of the conflict; ties up loose ends
• Foreshadowing -The use of hints or clues to suggest what will happen later in
the story.
• Inciting Force -The event or character that triggers the conflict.
• Crisis - The conflict reaches a turning point. At this point the opposing forces
in the story meet and the conflict becomes most intense. The crisis occurs
before or at the same time as the climax.
B. Conflict – struggle between opposing forces within the plot.
1. Man versus Man: Conflict that pits one person against another.
2. Man versus Nature: A struggle between man and the elements.
3. Man versus Society: A conflict between man and social issues or group of
people
4. Man versus Self: Internal conflict.
II. CHARACTERS – the entities involved in the action of the story.
A. Character types
1. Protagonist – the hero of the story faced with the conflict
2. Antagonist – the person or thing that causes the conflict
3. Dynamic – Person who changes in personality and attitude (Can be
supporting character)
4. Round – person who changes in personality and attitude (Can be supporting
character)
5. Flat – a person who does not change
6. Stock Characters – easily recognized minor characters ex: evil step sister
B. Characterization – techniques the writer uses to develop the character
1. Physical description
2. Speech and actions of the character
3. Direct comment from the narrator
4. What other characters say/do
III. SETTING – the time and place where the action occurs
A. Time and Place
1. Place – where the story takes place (location, physical)
2. Time – (life, historical era, date, and weather)
3. Atmosphere – How the story is taking place (mood, tone, feelings)
B. Sensory/Imagery details – words that appeal to the senses (sight, sound, feel,
touch, and taste) that improve the description of the setting, making it more
interesting to the reader.
1. Figurative Language (see attached chart)
C. Author’s Purpose: the message a writer wants to get across to reader is to
either Inform, Persuade, or Entertain.
IV. POINT OF VIEW – perspective from which a story is told
A. First Person – main character tells his own story and refers to himself as “I”.
B. Third Person Limited – narrator stand outside the action and focuses on one
character’s
thoughts, feelings & observations.
C. Third Person Omniscient – narrator knows all the thoughts, motives, and
feelings of each
characters.
D. Objective – Narrator does not tell the thoughts or feeling of anyone, so the
reader only
knows of the actions reported.
V. THEME – the main idea or basic meaning of literary works
A. Symbol – a person, place, or object that has concrete meaning in itself while also
standing beyond itself, such as an idea or feeling.
VI. Extras:
TONE/MOOD
Tone: The author’s attitude, stated or implied, toward a subject. Some possible attitudes
are pessimism, optimism, earnestness, seriousness, bitterness, humorous, and joyful. An
author’s tone can be revealed through choice of words and details.
Mood: The climate of feeling in a literary work. The choice of setting, objects, details,
images, and words all contribute towards creating a specific mood. For example, an
author may create a mood of mystery around a character or setting but may treat that
character or setting in an ironic, serious, or humorous tone
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.
• 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.
ANALOGY: A comparison between two different things so you can point out
something about how they are similar.
SYMBOLISM: Some thing which stands for or suggest something else Ex: a Heart is a symbol of love DICTION: the author’s choice of words to achieve a certain effect. Ex: She comes by night in fearsome flight, in garments black as pitch. (“night” and “black as pitch” are diction words and phrases to achieve a feeling of darkness)