elements of literature
DESCRIPTION
Elements of Literature. Literature is composed of several common elements. Elements. Setting Characters Conflict Plot Point of View Tone Mood Theme. Setting. Where it takes place When it takes place—time of day, season, era. The Functions of a Setting. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
ELEMENTS OF LITERATURE
LITERATURE IS COMPOSED OF SEVERAL COMMON ELEMENTS.
ELEMENTS Setting Characters Conflict Plot Point of View Tone Mood Theme
SETTING
Where it takes place When it takes place—time of day,
season, era
THE FUNCTIONS OF A SETTING To create a mood or
atmosphere To show a reader a
different way of life To make actionseem more real To be the source of
conflict or struggle To symbolize an idea
We left the home place behind, mile by slow mile, heading for the mountains, across the prairie where the wind blew forever. At first there were four of us with one horse wagon and its skimpy load. Pa and I walked, because I was a big boy of eleven. My two little sisters romped and trotted until they got tired and had to be boosted up to the wagon bed.That was no covered Conestoga, like Pa’s folks came West in, but just an old farm wagon, drawn by one weary horse, creaking and rumbling westward to the mountains, toward the little woods town where Pa thought he had an old uncle who owned a little two-bit sawmill.
Taken from “The Day the Sun Came Out” by D. Johnson
CHARACTERS Characters are the people in the story.
CHARACTERIZATION A writer reveals what a character is like and
how the character changes throughout the story.
Two primary methods of characterization:Direct- writer tells what the character is like
ex. He is tall.Indirect- when the reader infers character
traits ex. He had to duck to enter through
the door, so his head wouldn’t hit the doorjam.
DIRECT CHARACTERIZATION
…And I don’t play the dozens or believe in standing around with somebody in my face doing a lot of talking. I much rather just knock you down and take my chances even if I’m a little girl with skinny arms and a squeaky voice, which is how I got the name Squeaky.
From “Raymond’s Run” by T. Bambara
INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION
The old man bowed to all of us in the room. Then he removed his hat and gloves, slowly and carefully. Chaplin once did that in a picture, in a bank--he was the janitor.
From “Gentleman of Rio en Medio” by J. Sedillo
CHARACTERIZATION A writer reveals what a character is like and
how the character changes throughout the story.
Four primary types of character:Flat- reveals only one or two traits.Round- reveals varied and sometimes
contradictory traits.Static- Do not changeDynamic- Change throughout the story to
gain a higher understanding of life.
FLAT CHARACTERS Are one dimensional. Good guy =Hero
ROUND CHARACTERS Have many sides to them; complex Many traits
STATIC CHARACTERS Never change
DYNAMIC CHARACTERS Change during the story Main character
EMOTIONS V. TRAITS Emotions are
temporary. Emotions are
feelings, reactions to situations and people.
Happy, sad, frustrated, jealous, tired etc.
Traits are permanent.
Traits are physical and personality.
One’s trait can dictate their emotions.
Tall, intelligent, resourceful, volatile, negative, wacky, daring, impulsive, cautious etc.
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 these three
categories… Protagonist Antagonist Foil
PROTAGONIST Main character
ANTAGONIST Opposition of Protagonist
FOIL Character who provides contrast to Protagonist
FACTORS IN ANALYZING CHARACTERS
Physical appearance of character Personality Background/personal history Motivation Relationships Conflict Does character change?
PLOT Sequence of events Give Structure
BASIC SEQUENCE
Exposition Rising Action Climax Falling Action Resolution
PLOT DIAGRAM
EXPOSITIONBeginning of the story
“Once upon a time” Introduced to characters, setting and major conflict
RISING ACTION Sets up conflict Builds tension
CLIMAX Turning point Major shift/change occurs Helps to show the theme
FALLING ACTION Wrapping up story Immediately after climax
RESOLUTION Point of closure Ending Theme is often stated
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 Author’s observation
POINT OF VIEWVantage point of the text
FIRST PERSON As if you are telling a story
I, me, my
THIRD PERSON LIMITED Story told from an observer
See, Hear He, she, her, him
THIRD PERSON- OBJECTIVE Sees into the mind of a character
OMNISCIENT Told by a person who knows everything about everyone in the story.
FORESHADOWING Hints or clues on what’s to come
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
SITUATIONAL IRONY Something surprising occurs; opposite of what’s expected
DRAMATIC IRONY Reader knows something the characters don’t know
TONE Author’s attitude toward a subject
TONE Author’s attitude Pessimism Optimism Bitterness Joyful Humorous Earnestness
MOOD* The feeling or climate of a story, as
felt by the reader
MOOD Setting Objects Details Images Words
Influence the Mood
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE Language that goes beyond literal meaning
SIMILE comparison of two unlike things using
like or as
METAPHOR Implied comparison of two things
“Juliet is the sun”
HYPERBOLE Exaggerated terms “I read it a million times!”
ONOMATOPOEIA Words that mimic sounds BANG! POW!
ALLUSION Reference to literature, history or art
Helps the reader to make connections to form a deeper understanding.
They are like Romeo and Juliet. Like Cain did Able.
ALLITERATION Repeated initial sound: Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled
peppers
PERSONIFICATION Giving inanimate objects human traits. What can people do that things cannot? Think, laugh, breathe, sigh, yawn,
giggle, scream, yell, retort, flirt…
The butterfly flirted with the flower.
SYMBOLA symbol is when an object, color, number or name represents another idea; symbols help us to figure out the theme.