Literary elements 1. Character 2. Plot 3. Conflict 4. Setting 5. Theme 6. Point of view 7. Literary genre 8. Literary devices 9. Figures of speech

Character Character can be revealed through the character's actions, speech, and appearance. It also can be revealed by the comments of other characters and of the author.

Types of characters that appear in many stories: The protagonist is the central character (person, animal, or personified object) in the plot's conflict.  The antagonist is the force in conflict with the protagonist. It may be society, nature, or fate, as well as another person. It can also be the protagonist's own self, if he or she has an internal conflict.

Characters may also be classified as : Major: most important character around whom the action revolves (protagonist or antagonist) Secondary: helps in the development of the major character(s). Minor: least important characters.

Plot Plot is the sequence of events which involves the characters in conflict.

The order of the sequence of events looks like this: preliminary action complicating incident rising action climax falling action outcome

The ending of the story may be either open or closed:  In a closed ending, the most usual one in children's books, readers feel that they know what will happen. The various parts of the plot are tied together satisfactorily, and the reader feels a sense of completion.

 In an open ending, readers. must draw their own  In an open ending, readers must draw their own conclusions; they do not know what will happen.

Conflict Conflict is the struggle between the protagonist and an opposing force. Several types of conflict may be present in any one story.

There are several types of conflict: Character vs character: the protagonist against someone else. Character vs society: happens when the protagonist is in conflict with the values of his or her society.

Character vs nature: takes place when the protagonist is threatened by an element of nature. Character vs self : occurs when the protagonist struggles within himself or herself. The protagonist is pulled by two courses of action or by differing emotions.

Setting Setting includes the place and the time period in which the story takes place.

Theme  Theme is the underlying meaning of the story, a universal truth, a significant statement the story is making about society, human nature, or the human condition.

 Themes must be clearly stated; one word is not usually enough  Themes must be clearly stated; one word is not usually enough. To say that a book's theme is "friendship" is not clear. It may mean, "Friends are a person's most valuable possession." It may also mean, "Friends can never be trusted if their own interests are opposed to yours."

Point of view The point of view is the position from which the story is told. First person point of view: The narrator is the « I » of the story. Third person point of view: The narrator is not part of the story but is an individual who knows everything that happens.

Literary genre Fiction: stories that are made up without actual realism to them. Ex. science-fiction, romance, western, fantasy, crime, mystery. Non-fiction: real life story. Ex. essay, biography, autobiography

Literary devices Other elements which may be found in plots include: Foreshadowing is the planting of hints about what will happen later in the story. A flashback occurs when the author narrates an event that took place before the current time of the story.

Figures of speech Personification is done when applying human qualities to inanimate objects, animals, or natural phenomena. Ex: The stars danced in the sky. Ex: The wind was whistling.

A hyperbole is an exaggeration or an overstatement of facts. Ex: I am so hungry I could eat a horse. Ex: Our house cost a bazillion dollars.

A metaphor is a comparison of two unlikely things without using the words like or as. Ex: Life is a rollercoaster. Ex: Laughter is music for the soul. Ex: My kid’s room is a disaster area.

The simile is the comparison of two unlikely things using the words like or as. Ex: My heart pounded like thunder. Ex: Maria is as pretty as a flower.