Elements of Literature

1
Elements of Literature

•  
• Plot the organizing principle the authors
  deliberate arrangements of incidents and events
  which tell the story.
• FlashbacksEvents prior to the story.
• Plot Structure

Rising Action
Exposition
2
Elements of Literature

• Exposition the background information about the
  story and the current situation introduces us to
  the characters, conflicts, and setting.
• Rising action the conflicts become more
  pronounced, complications may occur introduces
  us to additional characters/supporting characters.

3
Elements of Literature Review

• Climax the moment of greatest emotional tension
  everything changes afterwards when two opposing
  forces go head to head and only one comes out a
  winner.

4
Elements of Literature Review

• Falling Action events right after the climax.
• Resolution/Denoument the loose ends are tied up
  the conflict is resolved.

5
Elements of Literature

• EpiphanyAn enlightenment or revelation leading
  to a change in character.
• ForeshadowingA hint of what is to come.

6
Elements of Literature

• Character a fictional person within a story.
• Characterization The method by which an author
  creates the appearance and personality of an
  imaginary person. It may be accomplished by an
  author showing us or telling us about the
  character.

7
Elements of Literature

• Protagonist the main or central character(s) who
  engage(s) our interest/sympathy.
• Antagonist The person or force working against
  the protagonist (can be an aspect of the
  characters persona or personality).
• Foil a contrast or opponent to the protagonist.

8
Elements of Literature

• Dynamic character a character who changes as a
  result of the events in the story.
• Static character a character who does not
  change.

9
Elements of Literature

• Flat character a character who has only one or
  two characteristics.
• Round character a well-developed character, a
  character who has more complexity/depth

10
Elements of Literature

• Point of view who tells the story and how it is
  told can be first person, second person, or
  third person (I went, you went, she went. May be
• Omniscient inside all characters minds.
• Limited from the single perspective of one major
  or minor character.
• Objective detached and impersonal.

11
Elements of Literature

• Conflicts the struggle between opposing forces.
• External conflict physical struggles with a
  formidable foe or the ever present dangers of
  nature, society, or individuals.
• Internal conflict a moral or psychological issue
  that must be resolved.

12
Elements of Literature

• Man vs. man (society) the struggle of the main
  character against another character (external
  conflict).

13
Elements of Literature

• Man vs. naturethe main character is in conflict
  against nature physical struggle against
  nature(external conflict).
• Man vs. selfthe main character struggles against
  himself or herself (internal conflict).

14
Elements of Literature

• Setting the time, place, atmosphere, and social
  environment in which the story takes place.
• Tone The authors attitude towards the people,
  places, and events in the story.

15
Elements of Literature

• Symbol Anything that signifies, or stands for,
  something else. Symbols can be an object, a
  place, a character, or an action that stands for
  or suggest something abstract.

16
Symbols

• Conventional symbol One familiar to everyone,
  such as a flag or a cross.
• Literary symbol Only in the context does this
  symbol have a deeper meaning
• Irony an event, thing, person that is not what
  it seems to be. May include

17
Elements of Literature

• Verbal irony Saying one thing, but meaning
  another.
• Situational irony the difference between what is
  expected and what really happens.

18
Elements of Literature

• Dramatic irony Difference between what is
  believed or said in the story and what the reader
  knows (we may know more than the character).

19

• Theme May be called the moral or purpose of the
  story. The unifying point of organization .
• Imagery the making of pictures with words
  through a collection of images. Imagery appeals
  to the sense of taste, smell, hearing, touch,
  sight, as well as internal feelings.