ELEMENTS OF LITERATURE

1. ELEMENTS OF LITERATURE These six elements form the basis of all forms of literature, but their importance varies with the type of literature. Short Stories Screenplays Poetry Novels Plays PLOT CONFLICT CHARACTERS SETTING POINT OF VIEW LANGUAGE WWW.DRWRITE.COM

2. ELEMENTS OF LITERATURE Analyzing Short Stories Short stories use all of the elements. Short Stories The high grey-flannel fog of winter closed off the Salinas Valley from the sky and from all the rest of the world. On every side it sat like a lid on the mountains and made of the great valley a closed pot. PLOT CONFLICT • "You've got a gift with things," Henry observed. "Some of those yellow chrysanthemums you had this year were ten inches across. I wish you'd work out in the orchard and raise some apples that big.“ CHARACTERS SETTING • Elisa Allen, working in her flower garden, looked down across the yard and saw Henry, her husband, talking to two men in business suits. The three of them stood by the tractor-shed, each man with one foot on the side of the little Fordson. They smoked cigarettes and studied the machine as they talked. POINT OF VIEW LANGUAGE WWW.DRWRITE.COM

3. ELEMENTS OF LITERATURE Analyzing Novels Novels use all of the same elements as short stories. Novels The plot of a novel is usually more complex and may include sub-plots PLOT There may be more than one conflict and they may occur at various points during the story. CONFLICT CHARACTER There will likely be more characters. Settings will likely shift and the story is likely to take place over a longer period of time. SETTING There is usually a single point of view, though some novels will shift the view. POINT OF VIEW Language devices remain the same, though there are more instances of them LANGUAGE WWW.DRWRITE.COM

4. ELEMENTS OF LITERATURE Analyzing Novels “Shame, isn’t it? That we only like our heroes out in the street when they are looking their best and their uniforms are ‘spit and polished,’ and not when they’re showing us the wounds they suffered on our behalf.” --- “Though there had yet to be a victor in this great war that had begun almost three years ago, Maurice had written to her that they had, all of them, on all sides, lost their freedom. Freedom to think hopefully of the future.” “Truth walks toward us on the paths of our questions," Maurice's voice once again echoed in her mind. "As soon as you think you have the answer, you have closed the path and may miss vital new information. Wait awhile in the stillness, and do not rush to conclusions, no matter how uncomfortable the unknowing.” WWW.DRWRITE.COM

5. ELEMENTS OF LITERATURE Analyzing Plays Plays use the same elements as well, but with limitations. Plays A play’s plot may be more complex and may include sub-plots PLOT There is a conflict involving the major character(s) and minor characters as well. CONFLICT All plays have characters, but the writer must rely on actors. CHARACTER The setting of a play is restricted by the limitations of the theatre where it’s performed. SETTING The play’s point of view is that of the audience, except when a narrator is used. POINT OF VIEW The primary language device is dialogue, within which the other devices occur. LANGUAGE WWW.DRWRITE.COM

6. ELEMENTS OF LITERATURE Analyzing Plays [The kitchen in the now abandoned farmhouse of JOHN WRIGHT, a gloomy kitchen, and left without having been put in order—unwashed pans under the sink, a loaf of bread outside the bread-box, a dish-towel on the table—other signs of incompleted work. At the rear the outer door opens and the SHERIFF comes in followed by the COUNTY ATTORNEY and HALE. ] ATTORNEY Can you beat the women! Held for murder and worryin’ about her preserves” HALE Women are used to worrying over trifles “We live close together and we live far apart. We all go through the same things-it's all just a different kind of the same thing.” “Nothing here but kitchen things.” WWW.DRWRITE.COM

7. ELEMENTS OF LITERATURE Analyzing Screenplays Screenplays use the same elements as plays, but film allows for additional aspects. In most films, the Director takes precedence over the writer. Screenplays The plot of a screenplay may be more convoluted; time can be compressed. PLOT The conflict(s) isn’t much different;, but internal conflicts can be expressed via “voice-over.” CONFLICT Characters are much the same, but depend on “casting” and actors’ interpretations. CHARACTER Settings are “wide-open;” only limited to where a camera can go. SETTING The point of view is the camera’s location and voice-over provides more flexibility. POINT OF VIEW Like a play, dialogue is the primary device and other devices issue from there. LANGUAGE WWW.DRWRITE.COM

8. ELEMENTS OF LITERATURE Analyzing Screenplays A screenplay is usually just the beginning. The final product, the movie, requires the participation of many other people. The Director The Actors The Lighting Designer Cinematographer Hair & Make-up Costumer Editor Sound Special Effects Coordinator Music

9. ELEMENTS OF LITERATURE Analyzing Poems The primary element in a poem is the Language. Poetry A poem may tell a story; therefore, it would have a plot and a conflict. PLOT CONFLICT A poem may have characters CHARACTER A poem may simply describe a setting. SETTING The Point of View is usually that of the poet. POINT OF VIEW Similes, Metaphors, Allusions, Symbolism, Irony, etc. LANGUAGE WWW.DRWRITE.COM

10. ELEMENTS OF LITERATURE Analyzing Poems WWW.DRWRITE.COM WWW.DRWRITE.COM