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)