Literary ElementsThere must be certain literary elements present in a work of fiction. Without these key elements, the story could not function properly. What do you think these basic elements of a work of fiction are?

PlotA. Plot is the sequence of events which involves the characters in conflict.

B. Narrative order is the sequence of events.1. Chronological—the most common type of

narrative order in children’s books. The events are told in the order they happen.

2. Flashback—occurs when the author narrates an event that took place before the current time of the story. The opposite is a “flash forward.” Provides important background information.

3. Time Lapse—occurs when the story skips a period of time that seems unusual compared to the rest of the plot.

C. Conflict—the struggle between the protagonist and some opposing force. There are several types of conflict:

1. Internal Conflict (character vs. self)—occurs when the protagonist struggles within himself or herself.

– ie: a struggle between doing what you want and doing what is right.

C. Types of conflict (continued)

2. Interpersonal Conflict (character vs. character)—occurs when the protagonist is against another character .

– ie: a character is competing against his rival in the last track meet of the season.

C. Types of conflict (continued)

3. Character vs. Society—occurs when the protagonist is in conflict with the values of his or her society.

– ie: I want to wear a white skirt, but it is after labor day.

– ie: You want to dye your hair neon green, but it violates the dress code.

C. Types of conflict (continued)

4. Character vs. Nature—occurs when the protagonist is threatened by an element of nature.

– ie: a character is caught in a rip tide.– ie: a character is lost in the woods and is

struggling to make her way through the thick brush and pitch black night.

C. Types of conflict (continued)

5. Character vs. Supernatural—occurs when the protagonist is in conflict with any force outside of human control, such as fate, religious god(s), ghosts, monsters, etc.

– ie: a character is born with a chronic illness.– Ie: Dracula wants to suck your blood!

C. Types of conflict (continued)6. Character vs. Technology—occurs when the

protagonist is in conflict with human created technology.

– ie: a character is being attacked by a robot.– ie: a character is taking a test and her pencil breaks.– If a character is shot by another character, it is still character

vs. character conflict even though the gun is human created technology. The other character pulled the trigger causing the death. If the trigger was stuck, preventing the character from shooting the gun, then it is character vs. technology.

D. Plot Line (Plot diagram)1. Exposition—sets the stage for the story.

a. Describes the settingb. Introduces and provides situation and

condition of the charactersc. May introduce the problem/conflict

2. *Inciting Incident is the event that starts the

action.3. *Narrative Hook is how the writer grabs the

reader’s attention and bring them into the story. This can fall on different places on the plot diagram due to reader interpretation.

D. Plot Line4. Rising Action—includes all action leading to

the climax and builds interest and suspense. Characters are developed, events become more involved; this is a significant portion of the story.

5. Climax/Turning Point—is the point of greatest emotional intensity or interest. This is also the point at which the most significant change occurs. This is a key moment where readers have a good idea of what the outcome will be.

D. Plot Line6. *Anticlimax—is when the climax is a let

down because it is often less exciting than the previous events and is often unbelievable to the story. (anticlimactic—adj.)

7. Falling Action—leads away from the climax and may provide any necessary explanations after the most significant change.

D. Plot Line8. Resolution or Denouement—is where

everything comes together and the outcome of the main conflict is revealed. Types of endings include:

a) Closed Ending—readers feel that they know what will happen; there is a sense of completion.

b) Open Ending—readers must draw their own conclusions; they do not know what will happen.

c) Cliffhanger—an abrupt ending at an exciting and often dangerous time in the plot; usually at the end of a book that is part of a series.

D. Plot Line

Exposition

Inciting Incident

Ris

ing

Actio

n

Climax / Turning Point

Anticlimax

Falling ActionResolution

E. Other Elements of Plot1. Suspense—a state of tension or uncertainty; an

emotional pull that keeps the reader reading. 4 ways in which the writer develops suspense:

a) author drops hints or clues about future events or the final outcome

b) author adds more and more complications to the plotc) author develops the characters in such a way that makes the

reader care about them and wonder what their future holds.d) author delays an event the reader knows is coming; slows the

action to a crawl.

E. Other Elements of Plot

2. Foreshadowing—hints about what will happen later in the story.

3. Coincidence—something which happens by chance. (sometimes confused with irony)

Setting

A. Setting includes the time and place in which the story takes place.

There are two main types of setting:

1. Integral Setting—essential to the plot; influences action, character, or theme.

Integral Setting is important for 5 main reasons:1) provides necessary background information2) can be used to create the mood3) can become a principal force that threatens

characters; it creates conflict4) can be used to advance the plot5) can be used to develop/illuminate a character

There are two types of setting (continued):

2. Backdrop Setting—relatively unimportant to the plot.

CharacterA. Character can be revealed through the character’s actions, speech and appearance; or by the comments of the author and/or other characters.

B. Types of Characters1. Protagonist—main character in the plot’s

conflict (usually the character the reader identifies with).

2. Antagonist—the person or force in conflict with or working against the main character.

3. Character Foil—character whose traits are in direct contrast to another character and therefor highlights or emphasizes the traits of the former.

C. Character Development1. Flat—a character who is one-sided and

often stereotyped. 2. Round—fully developed character who

exhibits many traits. We know the character well.

D. Change in Character1. Static—a character who remains the same,

or changes very little. 2. Dynamic—a character who experiences a

significant change as a result of what happens in the story.

E. Combinations1. Round + Dynamic—this is the best type of

character development; usually the protagonist.

2. Round + Static—the development is

considered well-done; often found in protagonists of children’s books.

E. Combinations (continued)3. Flat + Static—this development is

appropriate for minor characters. 4. Flat + Dynamic—this is NOT a possible

combination because we do not know enough about a flat character to notice or recognize a change.

F. Characterization1. Direct Characterization—when the author

comes right out and tells the reader about a character’s personality, attitude or feelings.

• This occurs in the narration of 3rd person point of view limited omniscient and omniscient.

• “As Rachel walked down the hall, she passed Anne

who had a reputation for being bossy and obnoxious.”

F. Characterization (continued)2. Indirect Characterization—the author

reveals a character’s personality, attitude or feelings through one of five methods.

**Use the mnemonic STEAL a) Speech- S

– Anne said, “Look, you can either do it my way or leave.”

– Through Anne’s speech, we can conclude that she is bossy.

F. Characterization (continued)2. Indirect Characterization

b) Thoughts of character-T– Exasperated by the slow progress, Anne thought,

“Holy Guacamole! These idiots can’t follow simple directions. What more can I do to explain this?”

– Through Anne’s thoughts, we can conclude that she is irritated, demeaning, and self-important.

F. Characterization (continued)2. Indirect Characterization

c) Other Characters’ Opinions (E-effect on others)

– When I first met Anne, I thought she was perfect, but over the years, I’ve realized that she is arrogant, rude, and insensitive.

– Through the 1st person point of view, we get the narrator’s opinion of Anne.

F. Characterization (continued)2. Indirect Characterization

d) Actions-A– While the group was working on the project, Anne

continuously checked to make sure everyone was completing their assigned task in the manner she had instructed. This act was usually accompanied by the other group members rolling their eyes.

– Through Anne’s actions, we can conclude that she is controlling. Through the group members’ rolling of the eyes, we can conclude that they are annoyed.

F. Characterization (continued)2. Indirect Characterization

e) Physical Appearance (L- looks)– I glanced at Anne as she passed me in the hall. As

usual, she was wearing a freshly ironed, brilliant white button-down shirt with a pair of pants, free of any wrinkles despite the fifteen minute bus ride to school.

– Through Anne’s appearance, we can conclude that she is meticulous, tidy, clean, and routine.

Point of ViewA. Point of view depends upon who the narrator is and how much he or she knows.

B. There are three points of view1. First Person—the narrator is a character in

the story, using the pronoun “I.” This narrator is easy to identify with because it makes the reader feel as though he/she is in the story.

2. Second Person—the author speaks directly to the reader using “you.” (very seldom used)

3. Third Person—the narrator is not in the story and uses pronouns "he,” “she,” or “it”

There are three third person points of view.a) 3rd Limited—readers are given the thoughts and

feelings of only one character. b) 3rd Omniscient—this “all knowing” narrator knows

everything about the characters and their problems, including their thoughts and feelings. Typically, this narrator does not share all characters’ thoughts and feelings, especially minor characters, because this would be overwhelming for the reader.

c) 3rd Dramatic or Objective—we are told only what happens and what is said. The narrator shares events like a newspaper reporter without opinion.

StyleA. Style is the language used in a

book; the way the words are put together to create a story.

B. Types of Style1. Standard Written Style—more formal than most

speech, such as avoiding contractions, slang, etc.• Hello, my name is Kathryn.

2. Conversational Style—the language is more informal; is written to mirror the way people actually talk.

• Hi, I’m Katy.

3. Eye Dialect—words are spelled the way they sound and is sometimes hard to read.

• Hey y’all, you ‘ken call me Kate.

C. Devices of Style1. Tone—shows the author’s attitude

toward the subject, character, and events.

a) The author’s attitude is conveyed through language and rhythm.

b) The attitude that you (the reader) get from the author’s words.

c) Tone can be described as humorous, critical, sarcastic, straight-forward, non-judgmental, etc.

C. Devices of Style2. Mood—the climate or feeling in a literary

work.a) Setting, objects, details, images, and

words contribute to the mood.b) ie: the setting and objects are

mysterious, and the language of the character is odd and vague.

*The dilapidated house loomed ominously at the end of the overgrown yard. I had heard stories about the woman who lived here; many believed her to be a witch. I still had twenty more raffle tickets to sell, so taking a deep breath to calm my nerves, I hesitantly knocked on the door, hoping that no one was home.

C. Devices of Style3. Imagery—it is an appeal to the senses—taste,

touch, sight, sound, and smell. It paints pictures in our minds.

4. Figurative Language—uses words in a non-literal way.

a. Personification—gives human traits to animals or inanimate objects.

b. Simile—a direct comparison of two seemingly unlike things using the words “like,” “as,” or “than.”

c. Metaphor—an implied comparison stating the resemblance of two unlike things.

C. Devices of StyleHyperbole—deliberate and obvious exaggeration used

for effect, e.g. "I could eat a million of these"

Idioms—a word or phrase which means something different from what it says - it is usually a metaphor. Idioms are common phrases or terms, whose meaning is not real, but can be understood by their popular use, e.g. “Don’t bark up the wrong tree,” “It’s raining cats and dogs,” “You threw me under the bus!”

C. Devices of Style5. Allusion—an indirect reference to something

outside the current literary work.• “He was a real Hercules.”

6. Symbol—a person, object, situation, or action that stands for something in addition to itself.

• A dove is an actual bird, but it is also a symbol for peace.

C. Devices of Style7. Irony—contrasts what is expected with what

actually happensa) Verbal Irony—sarcasm or the opposite of what is really

meant; “go play in traffic!” or “sure, I would love to clean the house.”

b) Dramatic Irony—the reader knows what is happening, but the characters do not . (think of scary movies)

c) Situational Irony—the unexpected twist; when the opposite of what is logically expected to happen actually occurs (not necessarily a plot twist, but any event occurring on the plot line).

Theme

The author’s underlying message about life or human nature.

A. What theme is not:1. Theme is not the subject—the subject can

related in one word, ie: love, war, friendship, etc.

2. Theme is not the plot.3. Theme is not the summary of the story.4. Theme is not the moral of the story which

tells a moral imperative—something readers should or should not do, usually illustrated with consequences.

B. Theme is what readers learn about the subject: (should be turned into a statement)

Friendship is often hard to sustain. All people have both good and bad qualities. Evil exists in many forms and is often mistaken for

something else entirely.

C. Theme can be interpreted in different ways by different readers.

When determining theme, it is necessary to find details/text evidence to support it.