Elements of Literature

1. Elements of Literature We will be using these literary terms throughout the school year. You will be using these in your extended response answers and you will see them on the end of the year tests. Expect to have a test over these terms---the term, its definition, and the correct spelling!!!

2. Character • A person, animal, or sometimes object that takes part in the action of a literary work.

3. Antagonist The antagonist is a character or force that is in conflict with the main character, or the protagonist. The villain in the story. Example: Darth Vader, the Joker, President Snow

4. Protagonist • The main character in a literary work. The hero. Examples: Harry Potter, Katniss Everdeen, Iron Man

5. Dynamic Characters • A character who grows and changes in a significant way throughout the course of the story. Examples: Luke Skywalker, Harry Potter, Stanley Yelnats,

6. Static Characters • A character who remains the same throughout the story. If a character is selfish and arrogant at the beginning of the story, he/she will be the same at the end of the story. • Examples: Effie Trinket, Cinderella’s step-sisters, Eyeore

7. Round Characters • Well developed characters—those characters that the reader can clearly identify as the main characters. We get to know these characters. • Example: Ricky Bobby, Peeta, Madea

8. Flat Characters • A character that is barely developed or is stereotypical. It’s hard for the reader to get involved with this character or care about what happens to him/her. • Example: a “drunk” • a bully’s “friend” • the guy at the grocery store, etc.

9. Setting • The setting is the time and the place in which the action happens in a story. It often helps to create a particular mood or feeling • Three types of setting: • Geographical • Physical • Historical

10. Geographical Setting • Knowing the location helps to explain the behavior of the characters. It provides the reader with clues about the characters. • Examples: city, swamp, rural (country), a desert, outer space, region, nation, etc.

11. Physical Setting • Knowing the physical setting helps to explain why characters act a certain way or why they are motivated to certain actions. • Examples: the weather, the time of day, indoors/outdoors, etc.

12. Historical Setting • This lets the reader know what the social, political, economical, and cultural environment is in the story. This helps to establish character motivations and behaviors. • Examples: World War II, the Great Depression, during the Civil Rights Movement, etc.

13. Conflict • The struggle or the problem that the protagonist must face and overcome in the story. • Four types of conflict: • Man vs. Man • Man vs. Nature • Man vs. Self • Man vs. Society

14. Conflict- Man vs. Man • In this type of conflict humans are in a struggle or battle with each other. • Examples: Husband and wife • Two armies in battle • Brothers arguing • Families quarreling

15. Conflict- Man vs. Nature • In this type of conflict the main character is struggling or fighting the forces of nature. • Examples: Caught in a storm at sea • Stuck in a blizzard • Fighting wolves, sharks, bears, etc. • Escaping from a flood, tornado, earthquake, etc.

16. Conflict- Man vs. Self • In this type of conflict, a character is in a struggle with him/herself. The character is often torn between different courses of action. • Examples: Whether to go “party” or not • Choosing between right and wrong • To tell on someone you love

17. Conflict- Man vs. Society • In this type of conflict, the character faces the decision to go against the government and society’s rules. • Examples: Fighting against slavery • Breaking a law for a “good” reason • Rebelling against a “perfect” society

18. Plot • The plot is the sequence of events in a story. • It has eight parts: • Exposition • Narrative Hook • Rising Action • Climax • Falling Action • Conclusion • Resolution • ***Denoumont*** (day-new-maw)

19. Plot-Exposition • The exposition introduces the: • Setting • Main characters • Situation- the problem of the story • Character’s attitude toward the situation

20. Plot-Narrative Hook • This is the point in the text where the reader commits to the story. The reader wants to see how the problem (situation) works out. • This is the point of NO RETURN!!

21. Plot- Rising Action • The rising action is made up of the events that lead to the climax. The rising action happens slowly and builds the suspense.

22. Plot- Climax • This is the turning point in the story. The direction of the action changes and begins to allow for the problem to be solved. It DOES NOT solve the problem.

23. Plot-Falling Action • These are the few events that lead from the climax to the resolution of the problem. These events happen very quickly.

24. Plot-Resolution • This is when the problem is solved.

25. Plot-Conclusion • This is the end of the story. All of the loose ends are tied up and finalized.

26. Plot-Denoumont • In some stories, what happens after the story is over. • Example: One year later…

27. Plot Map • Copy the plot map on the board onto your paper.

28. Point of View • Point of view is the perspective or vantage point from which the story is told. It is the relationship of the narrator to the story. • Three types of literary point of view: • First person • Third person limited • Third person omniscient

29. Point of View – First Person • Told by a character in the story who uses the first person pronouns: I, me, my, • mine.

30. Point of View-Third Person Limited • This narrator can tell the story from only one person’s perspective. The narrator uses “he” and “she” to refer to characters in the story.

31. Point of View-Third Person Omniscient • This narrator tells the story from multiple perspectives. The narrator knows what all the characters are feeling and doing .

32. Theme • The theme of a literary work is its lesson or message to the reader. • A theme is usually expressed as a generalization about people or life. • Examples: Love conquers all • Hope can carry you through • Good overcomes evil • Life is what you make of it

33. Mood • The mood of a literary work is the feeling the reader gets while reading. • Examples: Hope, Peace, Excitement, Sorrow, Fear, Dread, etc.

34. Tone • Tone is the writer’s or speaker’s attitude toward the subject. • Tone evokes an emotional response from the reader. • Examples: may show anger, respect, sarcasm, lightheartedness, etc.