Elements of Literature Keep these notes in your notebook. Use them to study for your TEST.

Elements of Elements of LiteratureLiterature

Keep these notes in your Keep these notes in your notebook. Use them to study notebook. Use them to study for your TEST.for your TEST.

PlotPlot

Definition:Definition:

The sequence of events in a storyThe sequence of events in a story

Plot DiagramPlot Diagram


The chart used to describe the The chart used to describe the events of the storyevents of the story

Plot Diagram-Plot Diagram- Fill in your Fill in your diagram with these diagram with these

terms.terms.

Characters

Setting

Conflict

Rising Action

Climax

Falling Action

Resolution

Exposition

ExpositionExposition


Exposing the reader to the setting and Exposing the reader to the setting and characters at the beginning of the story.characters at the beginning of the story.

Point of ViewPoint of ViewDefinition:Definition: The perspective in which the story is toldThe perspective in which the story is told

11stst Person Point of View: Person Point of View: Uses pronouns “I”, “me”, “my”, “our”, “us”Uses pronouns “I”, “me”, “my”, “our”, “us” Typically told by main characterTypically told by main character

33rdrd Person Limited: Person Limited: Narrator follows one characterNarrator follows one character

33rdrd Person Omniscient: Person Omniscient: Narrator is “all knowing” and “all seeing”Narrator is “all knowing” and “all seeing”

SettingSetting


When and Where the action takes When and Where the action takes placeplace

The time and place of the story.The time and place of the story.

Inferring SettingInferring Setting

Sometimes the author doesn’t Sometimes the author doesn’t come out and explain the setting. come out and explain the setting. Can you make an inference with Can you make an inference with the following paragraph?the following paragraph?


Anna sighed. She hated having to do so Anna sighed. She hated having to do so many chores. Her mother was always many chores. Her mother was always telling her to fetch the water from the telling her to fetch the water from the well, watch her brothers and sisters, and well, watch her brothers and sisters, and fetch wood for the fire. “I wish that I could fetch wood for the fire. “I wish that I could go to school, ”she sighed, looking at her go to school, ”she sighed, looking at her bare feet. But with her father in the Union bare feet. But with her father in the Union Army, she had to help her mother .Army, she had to help her mother .


What is the time in history of the What is the time in history of the setting? What are some clues?setting? What are some clues?

What is the place of the setting? What is the place of the setting? What are some clues?What are some clues?

CharacterizationCharacterization

Definition:Definition:The development of characters in a storyThe development of characters in a story

What the character says and doesWhat the character says and does What the character thinks and feelsWhat the character thinks and feels What the character looks likeWhat the character looks like What others think and say about the What others think and say about the

character character

ProtagonistProtagonist


The most important main character The most important main character in the story.in the story.

AntagonistAntagonist


The character against the The character against the protagonistprotagonist

Dynamic CharacterDynamic Character


A character who changes as a result A character who changes as a result of what happens in a storyof what happens in a story

Static CharacterStatic Character


A character who DOES NOT change A character who DOES NOT change in a storyin a story

ConflictConflict

Definition:Definition: The problem in the storyThe problem in the story

External ConflictExternal Conflict

Definition:Definition: A problem between A problem between

either:either: Character vs. CharacterCharacter vs. Character Character vs. NatureCharacter vs. Nature Character vs. SocietyCharacter vs. Society

The problem is outside of The problem is outside of the characterthe character

Internal ConflictInternal Conflict


A problem occurring within a A problem occurring within a charactercharacter

Rising ActionRising Action


The events leading up to the climaxThe events leading up to the climax

ClimaxClimax

Definition:Definition: The most important or most The most important or most

suspenseful part of a storysuspenseful part of a story

The peak of the actionThe peak of the action

Falling ActionFalling Action


Events after the climax that tie up Events after the climax that tie up loose endsloose ends

ResolutionResolution


The end of the storyThe end of the story The conclusion of the storyThe conclusion of the story Everything is resolved and Everything is resolved and

explained.explained.

MoodMood


The feelings the reader experiences in a The feelings the reader experiences in a storystory

It is created by the author’s choice of It is created by the author’s choice of wordswords

ThemeTheme

Definition:Definition: The main idea or lesson learned in The main idea or lesson learned in

the storythe story It may be an underlying idea, the It may be an underlying idea, the

big message, or the big idea.big message, or the big idea. It is the point of the story.It is the point of the story.

ThemeTheme

You’ll often see the same themes pop up You’ll often see the same themes pop up over and over again.over and over again.

Good will triumph over evil.Good will triumph over evil.

Honesty is the best policy.Honesty is the best policy.

More ThemesMore Themes

Friendship is more important than Friendship is more important than popularity.popularity.

Hold onto dreams because they Hold onto dreams because they might come true.might come true.

Hard work will pay off in the end.Hard work will pay off in the end.

ThemeTheme

What tale has the theme of What tale has the theme of “Slow and steady wins the “Slow and steady wins the

race”?race”?

Elements of Literature Keep these notes in your notebook. Use them to study for your TEST.

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