LITERARY ELEMENTS

FICTION

Plot

Sequence of events in a story Exposition: Introduces characters, setting

and conflict Rising Action: series of events leading to

the climax Climax: most exciting part of the story,

where the conflict is resolved Falling Action: follows the climax & ends

with the resolution Resolution: all loose ends are tied up

A conflict is a struggle between opposing characters or opposing forces. The conflict is usually revealed at the beginning of a story as part of the exposition.

Conflict

Characters struggle against something or someone outside themselves.

External Conflict

Internal Conflict

Conflict which happens inside a Character’s

mind.

Setting

Time & Place in which the story occurs.

•Geographical location•Time Period (1865, present day)

•Socio economic status(wealthy suburbs, depressed dustbowl)

•Specific building, room(mall, bus, school)

Details such as dialect, customs, and modes of transportation are used to establish setting

Characters

Protagonist: main character in a story. The action of the plot revolves around him or her.

Antagonist: person or thing that is working against the protagonist. The antagonist can be a main character as well. Not every story has an antagonist.

Characterization

Direct characterization Author develops

the personality of a character by direct statements.

Indirect characterization Reveals a

character’s personality through The characters

thoughts, words & actions

Comments of other characters

Character’s physical appearance.

Direct or Indirect Characterization Ed Johnson scratched his head in

confusion as the sales rep explained Dralco’s newest engine performance diagnostic computer. The old mechanic hated modern electronics, preferring the old days when all he needed was a stack of manuals and a good set of tools.

Direct or Indirect Characterization Julie held up six different outfits in front of

the mirror and pondered which would go best with her navy blue shoes, pastel eye shadow and the diamond earrings she’d already procured from her overflowing vanity. After ninety minutes of mixing and matching, and cell-phoning her sister three times for advice, Julie finally made up her mind. She’d give the navy blue skirt and white sweater a try, hoping Trent would love it.

Direct Characterization

Julie owned a multitude of outfits and accessories, and it always took her forever to decide which combination might impress Trent. As usual, she called her sister several times for advice. After doing so, Julie decided to give the navy blue skirt with the white sweater a try.

Character

Dynamic character: characters who undergo a dramatic change because of something that happens to them in the story. It is an internal change, not a physical change.

Static Character: characters that do not change through the course of the story.

Static or Dynamic

A character inherits a million dollars from a great aunt who passed away. The character goes from a lonely, mean person to a happy and generous woman.

This same character inherits a million dollars and stays lonely and mean.

Perspective from which the story is told. The reader needs to ask themselves…

who is telling the story?How do we know what is happening?

Point of View

First Person Point of View Story is told from one of the

characters perspective, uses first person pronouns (I, me, we) and participates in the action of the story.

As I walked up the hill, I realized that the atmosphere was just too quiet. There was no sound from the cardinal who was nearly always singing from the top of the maple tree. I thought I saw a shadow move high up on the slope, but when I looked again it was gone. Still, I shuddered as I felt a silent threat pass over me like a cloud over the sun.

Third Person Omniscient Point of View The narrator is an outsider looking in

who does not participate in the action of the story. The narrator knows all, sees all, and reports all. The narrator knows the thoughts and actions of all characters.

Ernie felt scared to go out in public but Jack thought going to a restaurant early in the morning would be helpful.

Third Person Limited Point of View The narrator is not a character in the

story, uses third person pronouns but only knows the thoughts and emotions of one character.

Then he looked behind him and saw that no land was visible. That makes no difference, he thought. I can always come in on the glow from Havana.

Theme

Central idea or message of the story. Can be stated directly or implied by events

and actions in the story. Focuses on big topics in everyone’s lives…

LoveFriendship Loss Responsibility

Mood

Feelings a writer wants the reader to have while reading. Writers can use words, phrases and images to create a range of moods. From…

Anger and sadness excitement fear

Suspense

The uncertainty or anxiety you feel about what will happen next in the story.

Example

The door feels red hot, as though a fire is burning behind it. I press an ear to the wood - but there's no crackle. No smoke. Just deep, heavy breathing...and a curious dripping sound. My hand's on the door knob. Inside the room, somebody giggles - low, throaty, sadistic. There's a ripping sound, followed by snaps and crunches.

My hand turns.

The door opens.

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Foreshadow

Sam wished he could rid himself of the sick feeling in his gut that told him something terrible was going to happen, and happen soon.

The author drops hints about what will happen next in the story.

Example

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Flashback

An interruption in the action of the plot to tell what happened at an earlier time.

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Symbol

Any person, place, or thing which has meaning in itself but ismade to represent or stand for something else.

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QuickTime™ and a decompressor

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Irony

Difference between what is expected to happen and what actually happens. Verbal Irony: The contrast between what is

said and what is actually meant Dramatic Irony: This occurs when the

audience or reader knows more than the characters know.

Situational Irony: This refers to a happening that is the opposite of what is expected or intended

Situational Irony

Verbal Irony