Objectives

This section provides some information on essential elementsof literature.

Part Eight, Additional Learning SkillsReading Literature and Making References

Key elements in literature

Theme = overall idea that the author is advancing. This is the very general idea that is behind the author’sentire effort and unifies the work.

Plot = the series of events that take place within the work.

Setting = the time and place of the plot.

Characters = the people in the story.

Key elements in literature

Conflict = the main struggle of the plot. It may be within one character, between two or more characters, or between one or more characters and some force in the environment.

Climax = the final main turning point of the story. The main conflict of the story is usually solved or explained in a final way at this point in the plot.

Key elements in literatureSpeaker or narrator = the fictional voice the author uses to tell the story.

Tone = the style or manner of a piece. Reflects the speaker’s attitude, and is strongly related to the author’s attitude and purpose as well.

Figures of speech = expressions in which words are used to mean something other than they usually do. These expressions are often comparisons which make a special point.

Making inferences in literature

Making an inference means “reading between the lines” to come to conclusions based on the given information.

Writers of factual material often STATE what they mean.Writers of fiction often SHOW what they mean.

Poetry implies much of its meaning. Implications are often madethrough figures of speech.