Aim: What are the appropriate phrases to use when discussing literary elements? Do Now: Write down all the literary elements you know.

Metaphor A comparison of two unrelated things Key word: compare, comparison EX: In the novel, Like Water for Chocolate, the matches are compared to a person’s soul. In the novel, Like Water for Chocolate, the character, Dr. John Brown, creates a comparison between matches and a person’s soul.

Imagery Use of word to create mental images Key word: image Ex: In “The Story of an Hour,” Chopin uses imagery to indicate the freedom that the future holds for Mrs. Mallard. The images displayed outside of her window, the tree tops, the patches of blue sky and the twittering birds, all create a visual reminder of what is to come.

Symbolism An object, an act or an idea that is used to represent something other than itself Key word: symbol; represents Ex: In the novel, Like Water for Chocolate, Tita’s hands become a symbol of her newfound freedom. They represent the fact that Tita can now choose for herself what she will have her hands do.

Irony The use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of what is intended Key word: intended, intention; opposite Ex: In the play, Twelve Angry Men, Juror #3 ironically shouts that he is going to kill Juror 8. His intention was to prove the defendant guilty. However, the opposite occurred and he ended up showing how the defendant may not have meant what he said.

Characterization All the way in which a character is revealed – through actions, descriptions, behaviors, dialogue, etc. Key words: traits; characterized Ex: In Twelve Angry Men, none of the jurors have names. Juror #8 is the protagonist and he characterized by his reasonable and fair traits. Juror #3, the antagonist, is characterized as being very angry and stubbornly going against the other jurors.