Elements of Literature

1. Elements of Literature

2. Protagonist • Is the main character in a work of literature. • Narrator

3. Antagonist • The character in a work of literature who opposes the main character.

4. conflict • A struggle between opposing forces; conflicts can be external or internal.

5. External Conflict • Man-vs-man • Man-vs-nature • Man-vs-animal • Struggle with outside forces.

6. Internal Conflict • Takes place in the character’s mind.

7. Point Of View • The vantage point in which the story is told. • First Person- ‘I’ • Third Person- ‘He, she it” • Omniscient-having infinite awareness, understanding, and insightpossessed of universal or complete knowledge

8. Setting • The time and the place of the story or novel. • A story can be set in a realistic or imaginary place and can occur in the past, present,or future.

9. Foreshadowing • An author’s way of hinting to the reader of what is to come in the story.

10. Plot • The series of events in sequential order. • What happens 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and so on. • The plot centers on at least one major problem called a conflict.

11. Five Main Parts of the Plot Climax • Not all stories fit this pattern. • The exposition may appear in the middle of the story instead of the beginning. • A story can end with a climax, leaving no falling action. Falling Action Rising Action Resolution Exposition

12. Exposition • The opening of a short story or novel. It provides background information that the reader needs to know. • It introduces the characters, describes the setting, and may recap important events before the action of the story.

13. Rising Action • The chain of events become more complex. The actions and feelings of the characters intensify as their problems become more complicated. Rising Action

14. Climax • The highest point of interest • Where most action takes place in the store • Involves an important event,decision, or discovery that affects the final outcome.

15. Falling Action • Following the climax, the intensity of the story may subside. • The falling action describes the results of the major events as the action winds down. Falling action

16. Resolution • The final part of the story. • It tells how the story ends. All the loose ends are tied up.

17. Theme • The main idea that the author wishes to share with the reader. A writer rarely states the theme directly; but after reading the selection, the reader should be able to infer the theme. • It can be Universal;applying to you and the world

18. Mood • A feeling or emotions that a writing or piece of literature stirs in the reader.