Elements of Literature

Literature is composed of several common elements.

Elements

Setting Characters Conflict Plot Point of View Tone Mood

Setting

Where it takes place

Characters Characters are the people

in the story.

Types of Characters

Flat Round Static Dynamic

Flat Characters

Are one dimensional. Good guy =Hero

Round Characters

Have many sides to them Good/Bad

Static Characters

Never change

Dynamic Characters

Change during the story Main character

Think

Name the four types of characters

Types of Characters

Flat

Round

Dynamic

Static

Superman

Professor Snape

Edward, Bella

Santa

Major CharactersFall into one of the three categories…

Major Characters

Protagonist Antagonist Foil

Protagonist Main character

Antagonist Opposition of

Protagonist

Foil Character who provides

contrast to Protagonist

PLOT

Sequence of events Give Structure

Basic Sequence

Exposition Rising Action Climax Falling Action Resolution

Plot Diagram

Exposition Beginning of the story

“Once upon a time”

Rising Action Sets up conflict Builds tension

Climax Turning point High Point

Falling Action Wrapping up story Immediately after climax

Resolution Point of closure Ending

Think

Where does each part fit?

Plot diagram

Exposition

Rising Action

Climax

Falling Action

Resolution

Wrap- up, after the climax

A. Rising Action B. Falling Action C. Climax D. Exposition

Beginning, once upon a time

A. Rising Action B. Exposition C. Climax D. Falling Action

High point, turning point

A. Climax B. Ending C. Beginning D. Builds tension

Sets up conflict, tension building

A. Falling action B. Climax C. Rising Action D. Exposition

Types of Conflict Conflict is more than just

a fight.

Man vs. Man

Two humans in confrontation

Man vs. Self

Internal conflict, struggle

Man vs. Nature

Facing the elements or animals

Man vs. Society

Going against social norms

Theme

Central concept Mystery, Science Fiction, Romance

Point of View Angle the story is being told from

First person As if you are telling a

story

Third Person Limited

Story told from an observer

See, Hear

Third Person- Objective

Sees into the mind of a character

Omniscient Told by a person who

knows everything about everyone in the story.

An omniscient is NOT a character!

Foreshadowing Hints or clues on what’s

to come

Foreshadowing Serves two purposes in a story

Purpose one Builds suspense Keeps you reading

Purpose Two

Makes narrator more believable

Irony Contrast between what

appears true and what really is.

Three Types of Irony

Verbal Situational Dramatic

Verbal Irony What is said vs. what is

meant

Irony of the Situation

Happening that is opposite of what’s expected

Dramatic Irony Reader knows more than

character

Tone

Author’s attitude toward a subject

Tone

Pessimism Optimism Bitterness Joyful Humorous Earnestness

Mood

* The feeling or climate of a story

Mood

Setting Objects Details Images Words

Influence the Mood

Figurative Language Language that goes

beyond literal meaning

Simile

Direct comparison of two unlike things

Metaphor Implied comparison of two

unlike things

Metaphor

The comparison is not announced.

“Like”

“As”

Hyperbole

Exaggerated terms “I read it a million times!”

Onomatopoeia

Words that mimic sounds BANG! POW!