Elements of Elements of LiteratureLiterature

NotesNotes

TitleTitle

The name of the book, article, story, The name of the book, article, story, etc.etc.

Examples: Examples: The Three Little BearsThe Three Little Bears, , Harry Potter and the Deathly HallowsHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, , Breaking DawnBreaking Dawn..

AuthorAuthor

Person or people who wrote the Person or people who wrote the book, article, story, etc.book, article, story, etc.

SettingSettingSetting is in THREE parts:Setting is in THREE parts: TimeTime: When does this book, story, etc. : When does this book, story, etc.

take place? Era? Year? 1take place? Era? Year? 1stst Snack??? Snack??? PlacePlace: Where does this book, story, etc. : Where does this book, story, etc.

take place? Timbuktu? Puente Hills take place? Timbuktu? Puente Hills Mall? Belize? Mall? Belize?

DurationDuration: How long does the entire book, : How long does the entire book, story, etc. last? Three days? Ten story, etc. last? Three days? Ten minutes? A lifetime??? minutes? A lifetime???

4 terms4 terms

CharactersCharacters

People or animals (or objects that talk and People or animals (or objects that talk and

have human characteristics) who take part have human characteristics) who take part

in the story.in the story. ProtagonistProtagonist: main character (only one): main character (only one) AntagonistAntagonist: supporting character (can be : supporting character (can be

more than one) who is sometimes more than one) who is sometimes against the protagonistagainst the protagonist

3 terms3 terms

PlotPlot

The sequence of events in a storyThe sequence of events in a story ExpositionExposition: the beginning of the story that : the beginning of the story that

introduces the story, setting, and charactersintroduces the story, setting, and characters ComplicationComplication: the conflict or problem to be : the conflict or problem to be

solvedsolved ClimaxClimax: the most exciting part, often when : the most exciting part, often when

the story is at its worstthe story is at its worst ResolutionResolution: the end of the story where the : the end of the story where the

conflict is resolved and you find out what conflict is resolved and you find out what happens to all of the charactershappens to all of the characters

5 terms5 terms

ForeshadowingForeshadowing

A plot device when a writer hints at A plot device when a writer hints at a future event in the story.a future event in the story.

Example: When a character’s traits Example: When a character’s traits help bring about an event or help bring about an event or situation in a story. In a movie, situation in a story. In a movie, music does a good job with this music does a good job with this (think scary movies!).(think scary movies!).

Point of ViewPoint of View

The angle of narration used to tell the story. The angle of narration used to tell the story. There is only There is only oneone point of view per story. point of view per story.

First PersonFirst Person: narrated by the main character : narrated by the main character using the pronoun “I”using the pronoun “I”

Third PersonThird Person: narrated by a third person : narrated by a third person using pronouns “he” or “she”using pronouns “he” or “she”

Third Person OmniscientThird Person Omniscient: narrated by a third : narrated by a third person using pronouns “he” or “she” and the person using pronouns “he” or “she” and the narrator can tell what all of the characters narrator can tell what all of the characters are thinking. (oare thinking. (omni –ALL; scient - mni –ALL; scient - KNOWINGKNOWING ) )

4 terms4 terms

ConflictConflictThe complication or problem in the story.The complication or problem in the story. Man vs. ManMan vs. Man: one character or group of : one character or group of

characters vs. another character or groupcharacters vs. another character or group Man vs. SelfMan vs. Self: a character battling a personal : a character battling a personal

problem within themselvesproblem within themselves Man vs. NatureMan vs. Nature: a character or group battling : a character or group battling

a force of naturea force of nature Man vs. SocietyMan vs. Society: a character or group of : a character or group of

characters challenging the rules of norms characters challenging the rules of norms (what is normal for people to do) of society(what is normal for people to do) of society

5 terms5 termsA STORY CAN CONTAIN MULTIPLE A STORY CAN CONTAIN MULTIPLE

CONFLICTS!!!CONFLICTS!!!

GenreGenre A type or category of literature that A type or category of literature that

is usually fiction yet occasionally is usually fiction yet occasionally nonfiction. Some examples include nonfiction. Some examples include fiction, non-fiction, poetry, science fiction, non-fiction, poetry, science fiction, fantasy/fantastic, historical fiction, fantasy/fantastic, historical fiction, historical nonfiction, fiction, historical nonfiction, romance, etc.romance, etc.

MoodMood

A feeling that a literary work A feeling that a literary work conveys to reader; the overall conveys to reader; the overall feeling of the story.feeling of the story.

ThemeThemeA message about life or human nature that is A message about life or human nature that is

conveyed by a literary work. The main idea, conveyed by a literary work. The main idea, lesson, piece of advice, or moral. lesson, piece of advice, or moral.

A STORY CAN CONTAIN MULTIPLE A STORY CAN CONTAIN MULTIPLE THEMES!!!THEMES!!!

Some possible themes include, but are not limited Some possible themes include, but are not limited to:to:

Don’t judge a book by it’s coverDon’t judge a book by it’s cover Always help a friend in needAlways help a friend in need Don’t be greedyDon’t be greedy Hard work pays off in the endHard work pays off in the end Good conquers evilGood conquers evil

A THEME IS NOT ONE WORD ONLY! IT IS A A THEME IS NOT ONE WORD ONLY! IT IS A FULL MESSAGE OR MORAL!!!FULL MESSAGE OR MORAL!!!