elements of literature. knowing the elements of literature aids readers in their understanding of...
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Elements of Literature
Elements of Literature
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.
Plotthe arrangement of events in
a work of literature
climax
complications falling action
(rising action) (resolution)
exposition denouement
PlotExposition - provides background
information, introduces characters, setting, and conflict
exposition
Plot Complications - rising action that
builds the conflict and develops the characters
complications (rising action)
Plot Climax – shows the highest point
of action and is the turning point of a story
climax
Plot Falling action – events between
the climax and the resolution in which the events and complications begin to resolve themselves
falling
action
(resolution)
Plot Denouement –the final outcome or
untangling of events in the story
denouement
SettingRefers to when (time) and
where (place) in which the actions occurs
+
SettingSetting 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
Charactera person, place, or thing
that plays a role in a story
Character Protagonist - the main
character in a work of literature
? or
CharacterAntagonist – 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.)
CharacterCharacters 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.)
CharacterFoil – 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.)
Character Motivation – incentives
or goals that cause characters to behave as they do
Conflict A struggle between two opposing
forces
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
Conflict3 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)
FlashbackA 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
ForeshadowingClues that hint at what will
happen later on in the story. Foreshadowing creates
suspense and links related details.
Point of View The position or vantage point from which a story is told.
Point of View First-person - the narrator is one
of the characters in the
story
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)
Point of View Third person omniscient
– the author looks through the eyes of all the characters and is all-knowing
Mood The feeling or atmosphere that
a writer creates for the reader (Mood is suggested by descriptive details. Examples: creepy, threatening,
lighthearted, despairing)
Tone Express the author’s attitude
toward the subject (Examples: comic, serious, dark, light, gritty,
romantic, ironic,playful, formal,
casual)
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