Elements of Literature

Plot – Setting – Characters – Conflict-Theme

Plot Diagram

5 Parts of Setting

1. Place – Where the story takes place

2. Time – When the story takes place

3. Mood – atmosphere, surroundings

4. Weather – climate, precipitation = mood

5. Social – dress, language, religion, culture

CharactersProtagonist Antagonist The ‘GOOD’ guy. Pro = support, for,

positive Usually the HERO

The ‘BAD’ guy. Ante = against,

opposite, negative Usually the VILLAN

Conflict

Essential to the plot.◦ Ties incidents together to make the plot

move.◦ Not limited to arguments - it is any form of

opposition that faces the main character.◦ Can be:

One Central conflict in a story. One Dominant struggle with several minor ones.

Two TYPES of ConflictExternal Internal

A struggle with a force outside oneself.

A struggle within one’s self – a person must make some decision, overcome pain, resist an urge, etc.

Person vs. Person External The leading character struggles

with other people.

Person vs. Nature External Leading character struggles with

outside forces such as storms, woods, cold, winter, etc.

Person vs. Society Internal Leading character struggles

against ideas, practices, or customs of the people around him/her.

Person vs. Fate/GodInternalLeading character struggles with

fate or circumstances in his/her life.

Person vs. SelfLeading character struggles

against an internal struggle.

Theme From Wikipedia: A theme is a

broad idea, message, or moral of a story. The message may be about life, society, or human nature. Themes often explore timeless and universal ideas and are almost always implied rather than stated directly.

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