1. Literary Elements & Key Terms

2. 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!

3. 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

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

5. 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

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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

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

11. 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…

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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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…

19. 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…

20. 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.

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

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

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