Introduction to Literary Elements

Short Story UnitLiterature & Composition

Fiction

Prose/narrative (story form writing) about imaginary people, places and events

Something that is made up--- not factual

Can seem realistic

Plot

Exposition

Rising A

ction Falling Action

Resolution (Denouement)

Climax

Turning Point (Inciting Incident)

Foreshadowing The use of clues or hints by the author to prepare the reader for what will happen later

Can use background information, mood & music

Conflict

Character vs. Character

Character vs. Society

Character vs. Self

Character vs. Nature

Character vs. Technology/Machine

Character vs. Supernatural/Deity

Characterization

What the character says

What the character does

What the character thinks/feels

What other characters say & think about him/her

The character’s physical appearance or environment

Dynamic Characters

Static Characters

Those who transform or evolve in the story; usually major characters

Those who do NOT change or grow, but remain the same; usually minor characters

Protagonist The character with whom the reader is meant to sympathize

The character who grows or learns something

Often the “hero”

Antagonist The character (or force) who stands in conflict with the protagonist

Often the “villain”

Setting

Time/When

Place/Where

Social Atmosphere (affected by historical era, social movements, and crises)

Tone

• The author’s attitude toward his/her subject• Emotion words are used to label this element in a story (e.g. – angry, indifferent, excited, sad)

Mood / Atmosphere The reader’s emotional response to the characters and events of a story

Often influenced by setting and tone

Emotion words also used here

Symbols Concrete objects that suggest abstract ideas

Something that stands for something else

For example: red rose=love

Point of View: Perspective First person: narrator is a character in the story (“I” perspective) – can be unreliable!

Third person limited: story is told through the thoughts & feelings of ONE character - the reader may feel like she is looking “over the shoulder” of a character (“S/he”perspective)

Third person omniscient: narrator is NOT a character in the story; story is told from a god-like perspective; can relate knowledge about all characters at any time

Irony Situational: when the opposite of what is expected occurs

Verbal: when a character says one thing but means another (the opposite)

Dramatic: when the audience/reader knows something that a character does not know

Theme The universal truth revealed about life

Must be stated in a complete sentence

Avoids using clichés, giving advice or stating a rule