Literary Elements

Plot What does it mean? What does it look like? The sequence of events that take place Exposition (the beginning) Rising Action (events that lead up to the climax) Climax (major turning point of the story) Falling Action (results of the conflict and climax) Resolution (the end, how things are resolved) Major and minor events or conflicts that involve the characters Other plot devices/terms include: flashback, flash- forward, time lapse, suspense, foreshadowing, cliffhangers, surprise endings, closed endings, open endings

Point of View What does it mean? What does it look like? First person – “I”, “me” The Outsiders. Ponyboy is narrating from his point of view. Second Person – YOU “Oh the Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Seuss. Third Person Omniscient – All knowing, perspective is not limited, can perceive in many different vantage points And Then There Were None Third Person Limited Omniscient – Perspective is limited to one character’s thoughts, feelings, vantage point, but uses third person pronouns The Wallet What does it mean? The perspective from which a story is told

Characterization What does it mean? What does it look like? Description by the narrator Dialogue and thoughts Character actions Classifications of types of characters: Protagonist Antagonist Flat Round Static Dynamic Refers to the creation and development of characters, the people who carry on the action in a literary work.

Mood What does it mean? What does it look like? The atmosphere or feeling of a literary work The mood may be joyful, gloomy, suspenseful, etc.

Tone What does it mean? What does it look like? The attitude or viewpoint that an author shows towards his or her subject The tone may be serious, sympathetic, angry, mysterious, etc. You can usually determine the narrator’s tone by studying the author’s diction (or word choice).

Structure What does it mean? What does it look like? How the parts of a literary work are organized and arranged The structure of a novel may be based on chronological order with occasional flashbacks. The structure of poetry includes the number, form, pattern of lines, and stanzas.

Theme What does it mean? What does it look like? Themes often have to do with widely held human concerns such as love, death, justice, dignity, happiness, etc. Theme Topic = one word Theme Statement = expands on that word What does it mean? The central idea of a literary work The universal life lesson within the novel

Conflict What does it mean? What does it look like? A struggle between two opposing forces Internal Conflict: Man vs. Self External Conflicts: Man vs. Man Man vs. Society Man vs. Nature Man vs. Machine

Setting What does it mean? What does it look like? The time and place in which events occur Setting can include descriptions of locations, dates, time of year, weather, dangerous or safe, etc. and how it affects the overall meaning of the story.

Diction What does it mean? What does it look like? The word choice of the author Words that help to convey different attitudes or tones. Adjectives and adverbs (describing words) and verbs (action words) are helpful in considering the author’s diction.