Elements of Literature 

Plot: the organizing principle; the author’s deliberate arrangements of incidents and events which tell the story.

Flashbacks—Events prior to the story.

Plot Structure

Exposition

Rising Action

Elements of Literature• Exposition: the background

information about the story and the current situation; introduces us to the characters, conflicts, and setting.

• Rising action: the conflicts become more pronounced, complications may occur; introduces us to additional characters/supporting characters.

Elements of Literature Review

• Climax: the moment of greatest emotional tension; everything changes afterwards; when two opposing forces go head to head and only one comes out a winner.

Elements of Literature Review

• Falling Action: events right after the climax.

• Resolution/Denoument: the loose ends are tied up; the conflict is resolved.

Elements of Literature • Epiphany—An

enlightenment or revelation leading to a change in character.

• Foreshadowing—A hint of what is to come.

Elements of Literature

• Character: a fictional person within a story.

• Characterization: The method by which an author creates the appearance and personality of an imaginary person. It may be accomplished by an author showing us or telling us about the character.

Elements of Literature• Protagonist: the main or

central character(s) who engage(s) our interest/sympathy.

• Antagonist: The person or force working against the protagonist (can be an aspect of the character’s persona or personality).

• Foil: a contrast or opponent to the protagonist.

Elements of LiteratureDynamic character: a character

who changes as a result of the events in the story.

Static character: a character who does not change.

Elements of Literature• Flat character: a character who has only one or two

characteristics.

• Round character: a well-developed character, a character who has more complexity/depth

Elements of Literature• Point of view: who tells the story and how it is

told; can be first person, second person, or third person (I went, you went, she went. May be:

• Omniscient: inside all characters’ minds.

• Limited: from the single perspective of one major or minor character.

• Objective: detached and impersonal.

Elements of Literature • Conflicts: the struggle between

opposing forces.

• External conflict; physical struggles with a formidable foe or the ever present dangers of nature, society, or individuals.

• Internal conflict a moral or psychological issue that must be resolved.

Elements of Literature

• Man vs. man (society): the struggle of the main character against another character (external conflict).

Elements of Literature• Man vs. nature—the main character

is in conflict against nature; physical struggle against nature(external conflict).

• Man vs. self—the main character struggles against himself or herself (internal conflict).

Elements of Literature

• Setting : the time, place, atmosphere, and social environment in which the story takes place.

• Tone: The author’s attitude towards the people, places, and events in the story.

Elements of Literature • Symbol: Anything that signifies, or stands for,

something else. Symbols can be an object, a place, a character, or an action that stands for or suggest something abstract.

Symbols• Conventional symbol: One familiar to

everyone, such as a flag or a cross.

• Literary symbol: Only in the context does this symbol have a deeper meaning

• Irony: an event, thing, person that is not what it seems to be. May include:

Elements of Literature

• Verbal irony: Saying one thing, but meaning another.

• Situational irony: the difference between what is expected and what really happens.

Elements of Literature• Dramatic irony:

Difference between what is believed or said in the story and what the reader knows (we may know more than the character).

• Theme: May be called the moral or purpose of the story. The unifying point of organization .

• Imagery: the making of ‘pictures with words’ through a collection of images. Imagery appeals to the sense of taste, smell, hearing, touch, sight, as well as internal feelings.