Literary Elements

Genre, story elements, etc.http://members.tripod.com/dscorpio/images/literary_elements.ppt

Remember . . .

FictionThese are stories that are NOT real! They are made-up. Can include fairytales, folktales, fables, myths, tall tales, realistic fiction, science fiction, fantasy, and historical fiction!

Plot

• Plot is the sequence of events Plot is the sequence of events that that occur in a narrative. A narrative is occur in a narrative. A narrative is any work that tells a story, such as any work that tells a story, such as a short story, a novel, a drama, or a a short story, a novel, a drama, or a narrative poem.narrative poem.

Diagram of PlotDiagram of Plot

Exposition/Somebody

Ris

ing

Act

ion/

Wan

ted

To

Climax/But

Falling

Action

Resolution/So

ExpositionIntroduces the Setting

• Time and place; Can include dialects, scenery, customs, time period, clothing, weather, time of day/year.

• The setting helps: create mood, show a reader a different way of life, or make the action seem more real.

• The setting can also be the source of conflict and can be a symbol for something else.

Introduces the Characters

• Protagonist/Antagonist

• Major/Minor

• Static/Dynamic

• Foil

• Characterization• How an author creates a

character – can be direct or indirect

• Appearance, dialogue, actions, descriptions, motivations, etc.

Rising Action – the conflict develops

External Conflict

• Struggle against an opposing force:• Person vs. Person

• Mr. Carlos and Ms. Oleksiak are arguing

• Person vs. Nature• Ms. Oleksiak is swept away

during a flash flood.

• Person vs. Beast• Ms. Oleksiak is mauled by a

wild turkey.

Internal Conflict

• A struggle within a character.• I can’t decide whether or not

to go out with Bobby. He’s super cute, but kind of has a dud personality. Oh goodness, what is a girl to do?

Climax• The turning point of the story.

• The point of highest suspense or tension.

• Example: Romeo kills Tybalt, Juliet’s cousin. If he hadn’t killed Tybalt, the original plan that would allow Romeo and Juliet to be together may have worked.

Falling Action• The conflict is close to being resolved and

the action of the story is coming to an end.

• Example: The glass slipper fits Cinderella.

Resolution• The conflict is resolved, the story ends

(unless of course, the author wants an ending that is open to interpretation).

• Example: Romeo and Juliet die.

Special Techniques of Special Techniques of PlotPlot

Suspense- excitement or tensionForeshadowing- hint or clue about what

will happen in storyFlashback- interrupts the normal sequence

of events to tell about something that happened in the past

Surprise Ending/Irony- conclusion that reader does not expect

ThemeThemeA central message, concern, or insight

into life expressed through a literary work

Can be expressed by one or two sentence statement about human beings or about life

May be stated directly or impliedInterpretation uncovers the theme

Example of ThemeExample of Theme

Recurring vs. Universal

• Recurring – a theme specific to a particular time period.

• Universal – a theme relevant to all.

Some Examples:

• The Outsiders – Bridging the gap between the rich and the poor.

• The Giver – The importance of the individual.

• Love is able to break through all barriers.