Literary Elements The foundations of literature

Literary elements: Diction and Dialect Dialect is variation of a given language spoken in a particular place or by a particular group of people. A dialect is distinguished by its vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. Dialect is variation of a given language spoken in a particular place or by a particular group of people. A dialect is distinguished by its vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. If we’re only talking about pronunciation, we usually use the term “accent.” If we’re only talking about pronunciation, we usually use the term “accent.” Dilalect is applied most often to regional speech patterns, but a dialect may also be defined by other factors, such as social class. Dilalect is applied most often to regional speech patterns, but a dialect may also be defined by other factors, such as social class. Diction involves a writer’s selection of language. Diction involves a writer’s selection of language. Diction may be described as formal or informal, abstract or concrete, figurative or literal.

Literary elements: Symbolism and setting Setting: particular time, environment, and place in which events occur. Setting: particular time, environment, and place in which events occur. Symbols used in literature are objects used to represent other things or ideas. Setting often serves as a symbol. Symbols used in literature are objects used to represent other things or ideas. Setting often serves as a symbol. Authors include symbolism in their stories to give the stories deeper meaning: objects, people, places, or events that stand for something broader than themselves, such as an idea or emotion. Authors include symbolism in their stories to give the stories deeper meaning: objects, people, places, or events that stand for something broader than themselves, such as an idea or emotion. Symbols are all around us: Symbols are all around us: –Hearts symbolize love, caring. –The American flag symbolizes the United States of America. –The Trojan Head downstairs symbolizes pride and strength.

Literary elements: Irony Irony is the contrast between what is expected and what actually exists or happens. Three types of irony include: Irony is the contrast between what is expected and what actually exists or happens. Three types of irony include: 1.Situational irony: the contrast between what a character or the reader expects to happen and what actually happens. 2.Verbal irony: occurs when someone says one thing but means another (a common form is sarcasm). 3.Dramatic irony: the contrast between what a character knows and what the reader or audience knows.

Literary elements: Theme Theme is what is revealed about human life or human nature. It reveals something that we can often relate to. Theme is what is revealed about human life or human nature. It reveals something that we can often relate to. Although it is usually unstated, it gives a story meaning. Although it is usually unstated, it gives a story meaning. Theme can reveal an author’s whole view of life. Theme can reveal an author’s whole view of life. Theme is not a story’s plot or the story’s subject: It is an idea. Theme is not a story’s plot or the story’s subject: It is an idea. It gives us insight into some aspect of life we have never really thought about before, or it may make us understand on an emotional level. It gives us insight into some aspect of life we have never really thought about before, or it may make us understand on an emotional level.

Literary elements: Theme General guidelines for discovering theme: General guidelines for discovering theme: –We must use at least one complete sentence to state a theme, rather than just a phrase, such as “the joy of childhood.” –A theme is not the same as a moral. So ask yourself, “What does this story reveal?” rather than “What does this story teach?” –One way to determine a theme is to ask how the main character (protagonist) changes during the story. –Also, consider the story’s title. It often will hint at the meaning of the story. –A theme should not refer to specific characters or events in a story. It should be something about life or human nature that is general enough for the reader to relate to. –Theme should explain the whole story, not just a part of it.

Literary elements Suspense: The element of plot that makes the reader want to read on to find out what happens. The reader usually experiences suspense when he or she is worried about whether a character will succeed in overcoming conflict. Setting often helps establish suspense.

Literary elements Tone: The attitude the writer takes toward the subject he or she is writing about. Just as we reveal our attitude by our tone of voice when we are speaking, so writers show their attitude (tone) by their writing style. A tone can be pessimistic, optimistic, earnest, serious, bitter, humorous, joyful, melancholy, nostalgic, etc.

Literary elements Tone can often help determine mood: Mood is the climate of feeling in a literary work. The choice of setting, objects, details, images, and words all contribute toward creating a specific mood. For example, the moods evoked by the more popular short stories of Edgar Allen Poe tend to be gloomy, horrific, and desperate. 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.

Literary elements: Figurative language Whenever you describe something by comparing it with something else, you are using figurative language. Any language that goes beyond the literal meaning of words in order to furnish new effects or fresh insights into an idea or a subject. Three common figures of speech are personification, simile, and metaphor.

Literary Elements: Figurative language Simile A figure of speech which involves a direct comparison between two unlike things, usually with the words like or as. Simile A figure of speech which involves a direct comparison between two unlike things, usually with the words like or as. Example: He threw baseballs as if they were bullets. Example: He threw baseballs as if they were bullets. The wheat field lies like liquid gold. The wheat field lies like liquid gold. Metaphor A figure of speech which involves an implied comparison between two relatively unlike things. The comparison is not announced by like or as. Metaphor A figure of speech which involves an implied comparison between two relatively unlike things. The comparison is not announced by like or as. Example: The road was a ribbon of moonlight. Example: The road was a ribbon of moonlight.

Literary elements: Figurative language Personification A figure of speech which gives the qualities of a person to an animal, an object, or an idea. It is a comparison which the author uses to show something in an entirely new light, to communicate a certain feeling or attitude towards it and to control the way a reader perceives it. Example: The brave, handsome brute fell with a creaking rending cry (the author is giving a tree human qualities).