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Literary Elements

Setting

Setting: Where and when the story takes place.

Place - geographical location. Where is the action of the story taking place?

Time - When is the story taking place? (historical period, time of day, year, etc)

Weather conditions - Is it rainy, sunny, stormy, etc?

Describe the Setting

Mood

• Mood is the emotions that you feel while you are reading. Some literature makes you feel sad, others joyful, still others, angry.

• The general atmosphere created by the author’s words and imagery.

• Types of mood: scary, romantic,

violent, hopeful, mysterious, joyful. . .

Describe the MOOD

Describe the MOOD

Describe the MOOD

Describe the MOOD

Tone

• Tone - the manner in which written words might be said. For example: sarcastic, hateful, witty, angry

• Tone is different from mood in that a story typically has one mood; whereas, tone can change a lot throughout a story.

 

Words That Describe Tone

Amused Humorous Pessimistic Angry Informal Playful Cheerful Ironic Witty

Horrifying Light Sad Matter-of-fact Serious Formal Suspicious Gloomy Optimistic

Examples of Tone

• Sincere: She rose from her chair when I came in and exclaimed with a smile: "Wow! Nice outfit!"

• Sarcastic: She gave me one look and said, with a short laugh, "Yeah, right! Nice outfit!"

MAIN IDEA

• The gist (essence) of a particular story• Is only applied to that story and not

transferred to others• Summary or central idea

Theme

• An observation about life that the writer conveys to the reader. A theme must be written in a complete sentence and must apply to the story as well as to life in general.

• A good way to find the theme is to ask yourself the question, what does the main character learn in the course of the story?

Theme

Sometimes we must sacrifice something we value in order to save someone we love.

Money does not guarantee happiness. Love is the worthiest of pursuits.

Characterization

• Major Characters: The most important characters in a story.

• The story revolves around these characters’ lives.

Characterization

Minor Characters: they interact with the main characters, but the plot does not revolve around them

Characterization

• Protagonist: The main character of a story—often considered to be the hero of the story.

Characterization

Antagonist: The character who frustrates, deceives, or works against the main character.

Character Traits

• the characteristics of a character that emerge through narration and dialogue

Methods of Characterization

• Direct Characterization: The narrator makes direct comments about the character. i.e. “She adores kittens.” (TELLS)

Indirect Characterization• We learn about the

character through his or her speech, thoughts, feelings, actions, physical appearance and through other characters’ thoughts, feelings, and speech about her. (SHOWS)

• All dialogue is indirect

Conflict

• Internal Conflict: A conflict that occurs within a character’s mind. (man vs. himself)

Conflict

• External Conflict: A conflict that occurs between a character and an outside force. Man vs. man, man vs. nature, for example.

Parts of Plot

• Plot: The sequence of events in a story.

• The five basic parts: Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution

Parts of Plot

Basic Situation or Exposition

Rising Action

Climax

Falling Action

Resolution

Irony

• Situational Irony: When there is a contrast between what a reader or character expects and what actually exists or happens.

Situational Irony

Situational Irony

Situational Irony

Situational Irony

Situational Irony

Situational Irony

Situational Irony

Situational Irony

Situational Irony

Irony

• Verbal Irony: Saying one thing, but meaning something else. . . knowingly exaggerating. (sarcasm)

• Example: Teacher: “I can see from the ‘F’ on your paper that you put a lot of effort into your assignment.”

Verbal Irony Example

“It looks like you put a lot of thought into your outfit. Thanks

for dressing up.”

Verbal Irony Example

“Thanks so much!” said the man to the driver of the car.

Verbal Irony Example

Verbal Irony Example

Irony

Dramatic Irony: The audience or reader knows something another character does not know.

Dramatic Irony Example: We, the audience, know that there is a surprise party for Carlos; however, Carlos does not know and is surprised to find a room full of friends when he arrives home.

Dramatic Irony Example

Although we, the audience, know Bob is in danger of being shot by Steve, poor Bob does

not know Steve is around the corner.

BOBSTEVE

Dramatic Irony Example

We, the audience, know the identity of Hannah Montana; yet other characters do not know that

Miley Stewart is actually Hannah Montana.

Dramatic Irony Example

For some reason, nobody could tell that Clark Kent and Superman are the same person. The cape and

no glasses change his identity.

Dramatic Irony Example

• In Titanic, we know that the ocean liner is going to hit an iceberg and sink but the passengers and crew cannot know this. Although we know this from historical fact, it is not made explicit to the audience in the story itself.

Parts of Plot

• Plot: The sequence of events in a story.

• Exposition: The basic situation of a story—this is where the reader learns the background information necessary to understand the story.

Parts of Plot• Rising Action: The part of the

story which occurs between the exposition and climax. Here is where conflicts occur which build up the story and make it interesting.

Parts of Plot

Climax: The turning point or highest point of action in a story. The main conflict is typically resolved after this place. At the climax the protagonist realizes what has to

be done to fix the major conflict of the story and then acts on this decision.

Parts of Plot

Falling Action: The part of the story which occurs after the climax and before the resolution. Here is where loose ends are tied up toward the end of the story.

Parts of Plot

Resolution: The final outcome of the story.

Parts of Plot

Basic Situation or Exposition

Rising Action

Climax

Falling Action

Resolution