1. Elements of Literature

2. Knowing the elements of literature aids readers in their understanding of what is taking place in the story, helps readers become more involved in the story, and allows readers to take greater interest in details. You might think of the following literary terms as the author’s “building blocks” for expression.

3. Plot the arrangement of events in a work of literature climax complications falling action (rising action) (resolution) exposition denouement

4. Plot Exposition - provides background information, introduces characters, setting, and conflict exposition

5. Plot Complications - rising action that builds the conflict and develops the characters complications (rising action)

6. Plot Climax – shows the highest point of action and is the turning point of a story climax

7. Plot Falling action – events between the climax and the resolution in which the events and complications begin to resolve themselves falling action (resolution)

8. Plot Denouement – the final outcome or untangling of events in the story denouement

9. Setting Refers to when (time) and where (place) in which the actions occurs +

10. Setting Setting can serve to enhance the story by Providing backgrounds for the action Acting as an antagonist Creating an atmosphere or mood Revealing character(s) Reinforcing themes

11. Character a person, place, or thing that plays a role in a story

12. Character Protagonist - the main character in a work of literature ? or

13. Character Antagonist – the force or person in conflict with the main character or protagonist (The antagonist can be another character, a force of nature, society, or something within the protagonist.)

14. Character Characters are... Round - many sided with complex personality Flat – has a single quality trait (stock character, e.g. a jealous lover, a tricky servant) Dynamic - many sided personality that undergoes changes, for better or worse, by the end of the story Static - Stereotype, having one or two characteristics that never change and are emphasized (e.g. brilliant detective, drunk, scrooge, cruel stepmother, etc.)

15. Character Foil – A character that serves as a contrast to another character (Often a foil is a minor character whose function is to bring out specific traits of a major character.)

16. Character Motivation – incentives or goals that cause characters to behave as they do

17. Conflict A struggle between two opposing forces

18. Conflict 2 Types External Conflict – pits a character against nature, society, or another character Internal Conflict – is a conflict between opposing forces within a character

19. Conflict 3 Kinds of Conflicts: Individual vs. Individual (protagonist vs. antagonist; protagonist vs. society) Individual vs. Nature (protagonist vs. nature or supernatural) Individual vs. Himself (protagonist vs. guilt or a moral dilemma)

20. Flashback A scene that breaks into the story to show an earlier part of the action, to fill in missing information, to explain the character’s actions, and to advance the plot

21. Foreshadowing Clues that hint at what will happen later on in the story. Foreshadowing creates suspense and links related details.

22. Point of View The position or vantage point from which a story is told.

23. Point of View First-person - the narrator is one of the characters in the story

24. Point of View Third-person limited – the author tells the story through the eyes of only one character (using the third person pronouns he, she, or it)

25. Point of View Third person omniscient – the author looks through the eyes of all the characters and is all- knowing

26. Mood The feeling or atmosphere that a writer creates for the reader (Mood is suggested by descriptive details. Examples: creepy, threatening, lighthearted, despairing)

27. Tone Express the author’s attitude toward the subject (Examples: comic, serious, dark, light, gritty, romantic, ironic, playful, formal, casual)