Elements of Literature

1. Elements of Literature

2. Literature is composed of several common elements.

3. Elements • Setting • Characters • Conflict • Plot • Point of View • Tone • Mood • Theme

4. Setting • Where it takes place • When it takes place—time of day, season, era

5. The Functions of a Setting • To create a mood or atmosphere • To show a reader a different way of life • To make action seem more real • To be the source of conflict or struggle • To symbolize an idea We left the home place behind, mile by slow mile, heading for the mountains, across the prairie where the wind blew forever. At first there were four of us with one horse wagon and its skimpy load. Pa and I walked, because I was a big boy of eleven. My two little sisters romped and trotted until they got tired and had to be boosted up to the wagon bed. That was no covered Conestoga, like Pa’s folks came West in, but just an old farm wagon, drawn by one weary horse, creaking and rumbling westward to the mountains, toward the little woods town where Pa thought he had an old uncle who owned a little two-bit sawmill. Taken from “The Day the Sun Came Out” by D. Johnson

6. Characters • Characters are the people in the story.

7. Characterization • A writer reveals what a character is like and how the character changes throughout the story. • Two primary methods of characterization: • Direct- writer tells what the character is like ex. He is tall. • Indirect-when the reader infers character traits ex. He had to duck to enter through the door, so his head wouldn’t hit the doorjam.

8. Direct Characterization …And I don’t play the dozens or believe in standing around with somebody in my face doing a lot of talking. I much rather just knock you down and take my chances even if I’m a little girl with skinny arms and a squeaky voice, which is how I got the name Squeaky. From “Raymond’s Run” by T. Bambara

9. Indirect Characterization The old man bowed to all of us in the room. Then he removed his hat and gloves, slowly and carefully. Chaplin once did that in a picture, in a bank--he was the janitor. From “Gentleman of Rio en Medio” by J. Sedillo

10. Characterization • A writer reveals what a character is like and how the character changes throughout the story. • Four primary types of character: • Flat- reveals only one or two traits. • Round- reveals varied and sometimes contradictory traits. • Static- Do not change • Dynamic- Change throughout the story to gain a higher understanding of life.

11. Flat Characters • Are one dimensional. Good guy =Hero

12. Round Characters • Have many sides to them; complex • Many traits

13. Static Characters • Never change

14. Dynamic Characters • Change during the story • Main character

15. Emotions V. Traits • Emotions are temporary. • Emotions are feelings, reactions to situations and people. • Happy, sad, frustrated, jealous, tired etc. • Traits are permanent. • Traits are physical and personality. • One’s trait can dictate their emotions. • Tall, intelligent, resourceful, volatile, negative, wacky, daring, impulsive, cautious etc.

16. Think • Name the four types of characters

17. Superman Flat Santa Professor Snape Types of Characters Static Round Dynamic Edward, Bella

18. Major Characters Fall into one of these three categories… • Protagonist • Antagonist • Foil

19. Protagonist • Main character

20. Antagonist • Opposition of Protagonist

21. Foil • Character who provides contrast to Protagonist

22. Factors in Analyzing Characters • Physical appearance of character • Personality • Background/personal history • Motivation • Relationships • Conflict • Does character change?

23. PLOT • Sequence of events • Give Structure

24. BasicSequence • Exposition • Rising Action • Climax • Falling Action • Resolution

25. Plot Diagram

26. Exposition • Beginning of the story • “Once upon a time” • Introduced to characters, setting and major conflict

27. Rising Action • Sets up conflict • Builds tension

28. Climax • Turning point • Major shift/change occurs • Helps to show the theme

29. Falling Action • Wrapping up story • Immediately after climax

30. Resolution • Point of closure • Ending • Theme is often stated

31. Think • Where does each part fit?

32. Plot diagram Climax Falling Action Rising Action Resolution Exposition

33. Wrap- up, after the climax • A. Rising Action • B. Falling Action • C. Climax • D. Exposition

34. Beginning, once upon a time • A. Rising Action • B. Exposition • C. Climax • D. Falling Action

35. High point, turning point • A. Climax • B. Ending • C. Beginning • D. Builds tension

36. Sets up conflict, tension building • A. Falling action • B. Climax • C. Rising Action • D. Exposition

37. Types of Conflict • Conflict is more than just a fight.

38. Man vs. Man • Two humans in confrontation

39. Man vs. Self • Internal conflict, struggle

40. Man vs. Nature • Facing the elements or animals

41. Man vs. Society • Going against social norms

42. Theme • Central concept • Author’s observation

43. Point of View • Vantage point of the text

44. First person • As if you are telling a story • I, me, my

45. Third Person Limited • Story told from an observer • See, Hear • He, she, her, him

46. Third Person- Objective • Sees into the mind of a character

47. Omniscient • Told by a person who knows everything about everyone in the story.

48. Foreshadowing • Hints or clues on what’s to come

49. Irony • Contrast between what appears true and what really is.

50. Three Types of Irony • Verbal • Situational • Dramatic