elements of literature. plot exposition: the characters and setting are introduced. rising action:...
TRANSCRIPT
Elements of Literature
PLOT
Exposition: the characters and setting are introduced.
Rising Action: the conflict is revealed.Climax: the highest point of interest in the
story. Falling action: Shows effects of the climax
and leads to the resolution.Resolution: conflict is resolved.
Plot Diagram
Conflict - problem!Internal: Character v self
Example: the character and big decision he/she has to make
External: Character v character
Example: the character vs. a bully at school
Character v natureExample: the character must fight a raging hurricane
Character v societyExample: The character fighting against racism or
prejudice
Setting
Time: period of time in which a story is set (year, day, month, century, time of day)
Place: where the story is set (country, planet, state, town, other location)
Mood: the feeling the story conveys to the reader.
Points of View
1st person: the person telling the story is one of the characters in the story. It is the “I” point of view.
3rd person limited: the narrator telling the story is not one of the characters in the story. He or she is an outside observer.
3rd person omniscient: the narrator is not a character in the story. The narrator is considered to be “all knowing” and can see and hear everything that is happening to all characters in the story; can tell the reader what each is thinking and feeling.
Characters
Static: does not change throughout the story.
Dynamic: changes throughout the story.Flat: very little information provided Round: author fully describes this character.Protagonist: Central character of the story.Antagonist: character who opposes the
protagonist in some way. Antagonist can be any challenge to the protagonist.
Characterization
The way an author develops a character
DIRECT - The author directly states a character’s physical traits or personality
INDIRECT – The author gives clues to a character’s nature through the speech, action, and thoughts of a character. The reader must draw a conclusion about the nature of a character.
Theme
Theme: A theme is a thought or idea the author presents to the reader about life or human nature.
Examples:Honesty is always the best policy
Appearances can be deceiving.
Symbolism
Symbolism: using something specific to stand for something else, especially an idea. A symbol is a person, place, object or action that stands for something beyond itself. For example, a dove may represent peace. The dove can be seen and peace cannot.
Irony
Situational: the difference between what is expected to happen and the way events actually work out.
Verbal: occurs when the speaker means something totally different than what he or she is saying.
Dramatic: occurs when facts are not known to the characters but are known by the audience.
Foreshadowing: the author provides clues or hints that suggest or predict a future event in a story.
Flashback: an interruption to “look back in time” at a past event.
Allusion: a reference to something else (piece of literature, historical event)
Imagery: the use of words and phrases that appeal to the five senses.
Hyperbole: exaggeration of truth for emphasis or humor.
Simile: comparison between two unlike things using “like” or “as.”
Metaphor: comparison between two unlike things NOT using “like” or “as.”
Onomatopoeia: the use of words to create a sound (bang, buzz, woosh)
Personification: giving human traits to animals or objects.
Tone: the author’s attitude or feeling about a subject.
Genre: a type of literature.