Literary Elements

A character or force in conflict with the main character, the protagonist.

Antagonist

A person or animal who takes part in the action in a literary work.

Characters who show varied and sometimes contradictory traits are called round.

Characters who reveal only one personality trait are called flat.

Character

The high point of interest or suspense.

Climax

A struggle between opposing sides or forces.

Conflict

Types of Conflict:1. Character vs. Character2. Character vs. Nature3. Character vs. Society4. Character vs. Supernatural/Fate5. Character vs. Self

Creating a scene that took place at an earlier time and tells it as if it is happening at the present moment.

Flashback

Technique used to drop hints or clues about what will happen later, helping to build suspense.

Foreshadowing

A literary or artistic category. Examples=prose, poetry, and drama

Genre

When the outcome of a story is opposite from what the reader expected, often creating a surprise ending.

Irony

Most important character in a work.

Main character

Part of the story but not the focus of the action

Minor character

The emotional quality or atmosphere of a story or poem.

Mood

The event which introduces the central conflict.

Narrative Hook

The main character or hero of the story.

The action usually revolves around the protagonist.

Protagonist

The part of a literary work where the conflict is ended.

Resolution

The time and place in which the events of a story occur.

Setting

A feeling of anxious uncertainty about the outcome of events in a literary work.

Suspense

The practice of using an object to represent a belief, idea, superstition or an institution.

Symbolism

Central message, concern, or purpose in a literary work.

Theme

The episodes or the events that make up the action of a literary work.

Plot

The part of the story that introduces the characters, setting, and basic situation.

Exposition

Plot Diagram

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Plot is the organized pattern or sequence of events that make up a story. Every plot is made up of a series of incidents that are related to one another.

Plot (definition)

This usually occurs at the beginning of a short story. Here the characters are introduced. We also learn about the setting of the story. Most importantly, we are introduced to the main conflict (main problem).

1. Exposition

This part of the story begins to develop the conflict(s). A building of interest or suspense occurs.

2. Rising Action

This is the turning point of the story. Usually the main character comes face to face with a conflict. The main character will change in some way.

3. Climax

All loose ends of the plot are tied up. The conflict(s) and climax are taken care of.

4. Falling Action

The story comes to a reasonable ending.

5. Resolution

Putting It All Together 1. Exposition

2. Rising Action

3. Climax

4. Falling Action

5. Resolution

Beginning of Story

Middle of Story

End of Story