Literary Elements & Key Terms

Think of the setting as a character! Time and Place of action of the story It is important to the events and outcomes of the story. Think of the setting as a character!

The series of events that make up the story Plot The series of events that make up the story Plot details – the “what” happens Plot shift… sudden or unexpected change in the plot

Plot Diagram Rising action Climax Falling action Exposition Rising action Climax Falling action Resolution (Denouement)

Theme The message/moral the author wants you to learn… The “big take-away” The message/moral usually teaches something about nature/humanity Can be multiple themes, but will always be One Central Theme

Example of Theme Batman: good always prevails over evil Money cannot buy happiness Be careful what you wish for

Conflict Struggle between two opposing forces 6 main types of conflict Person vs. person -person vs. nature individual vs. self -individual vs. society person vs. technology -person vs. supernatural Each type falls into one of two categories: external- conflict between an outside force and the main character internal- one occurs within a character

Symbolism The use of something concrete (symbol) to represent an abstract or complicated idea/concept This can be a person, place, or thing 2 types: Contextual & Universal

Characterization The process by which an author develops characters (brings them to life)… There are four ways that an author develops characters: Through their actions Through their speech Through their thoughts Through what others say about them

Tone The attitude a writer takes towards a subject Tone =How the author sounds… Think: Ring Tone…

Mood The feeling or atmosphere that the author creates for the reader. The mood is the feeling you are supposed to get when reading the story. MOOD = how the story makes you (the reader) feel…

Tone  Mood You hear the alarm clock (TONE) Now you are in a bad (MOOD)

Point of View First Person 3rd Person character in story is telling the story I, me, my reader only knows what the narrator is thinking 3rd Person Storyteller is NOT one of the characters He, she, they Reader gets to know the thoughts of many characters

3rd person point of view 3rd person omniscient - We (readers) have access to ALL characters thoughts and feelings… 3rd person limited We (readers) have access to only a few characters thoughts and feelings

FLASHBACK FORESHADOWING Something that happened before the beginning of a story FORESHADOWING use of clues to hint at events that will occur later in the plot

Irony Situational Irony: A contrast between what is expected to happen and what actually does. Verbal Irony: A contrast between what is said and what is meant. Dramatic Irony: When the reader knows something that characters do not.

Allusion When an author refers to characters or events from history or other pieces of literature She was beautiful like Venus, the Goddess of love.

Allegory When the events, characters, and setting of a story are all symbolic of life. The characters, setting, and events have both LITERAL MEANING and FIGURATIVE MEANING…

Allegory The difference between an allegory and a symbol(ism) is that an allegory is a complete narrative rather than a single object/idea/concept Both convey abstract ideas via concrete people/events…

Imagery Imagery: The use of detailed descriptions to paint a picture. Imagery appeals to the five senses. Authors usually use sight imagery, but imagery can be sound, taste, touch, or smell.

Personification When an author gives human qualities to nonhuman things. e.g., The wind cried in the dark.

Simile A comparison of two different things or ideas through the use of the words “like” or “as.” The warrior fought like a lion.

Metaphor A direct comparison between two unlike things. Life is but a dream.