Elements

ofLiterat

ure

• Static: does not change throughout the story.

• Dynamic: changes throughout the story.

• Flat: very little information provided • Round: author fully describes this

character.

Characterization• How the author develops the characters,

especially the main character. • This is done through:

– what the character does or says– what others say of and to the character– author’s word choice in descriptive passages

Characterization• Direct characterization

– The author directly states what the character’s personality is like. Example: cruel, kind

• Indirect characterization– Showing a character’s personality through

his/her actions, thoughts, feelings, words, appearance or other character’s observations or reactions

• 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 nature• Example: the character must fight a raging

hurricane

– Character v society• Example: The character fighting against

racism or prejudice

Imagerythe use of

words and phrases that appeal to the five senses.

• 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.

Plot Diagram