The Elements of Literature

An 8th GradeIntroduction

Ms. McCoy

Plot

Events that occur in a story.

The plot is usually divided into five parts.

Exposition

RisingAction

Climax

FallingAction

Resolution

Plot: Exposition

Gives background information

Tells where a story takes place

Introduces characters

Plot: Rising Action

Reveals the problems or conflicts

Plot: Climax

The turning point

The most intense or suspenseful part of the story

Plot: Falling Action

Explains the result of the climax

Plot: Resolution

The problems or conflicts are resolved

Theme

The central idea or lesson about life the author conveys in the story; the moral of the story.

Theme: Examples

Good vs. Evil Appreciating Differences

Characterization

The creation and development of a character.

Readers learn about a character through description, dialogue, a character’s actions, other characters’ reactions to that character, etc.

When describing a character it is important to tell personality traits rather than describe what a character looks like.

Characterization: Example

The Three Little Pigs

Appropriate Traits

for the Wolf:

Deceptive

Determined

Cunning

Sneaky

Evil

Smart

Tricky

Setting

Includes where (locations) and when (time periods) a story takes place.

Mood

The feeling a reader gets from a story.

REMEMBER: this is NOT the feelings of the characters in a story, it is the feeling(s) YOU as a reader get from reading the story.

Mood: Example

Tell the mood in the following passage:

Mr. Jones paced the floor with his eyes glued on the big double doors, waiting for the surgeon to appear to report on the outcome of his daughter’s surgery.

A. Happiness B. Anger

C. Worry D. Annoyance

Conflict

A struggle that a character must overcome.

The conflict of a story produces tension and drives the action of the plot.

There are five main types of conflict:Man vs. ManMan vs. SelfMan vs. NatureMan vs. SocietyMan vs. Fate

Man vs. Man

A character struggles with one or more characters.

Man vs. Self

A character struggles with his or her own personal issue(s) or difficult decisions he or she must make.

Man vs. Nature

A character struggles with some force of nature.

Man vs. Society

A character struggles with the law or some other aspect of society (police, school, etc.)

Man vs. Fate

A character struggles with something destined or predetermined beyond their control.

Point of View

The view point a story is written from.

Authors usually use 3 main forms of view point:

First person

Third person limited

Third person omniscient

Point of View: Explained

First Person: a character tells the story. The pronoun “I” is used.

Third Person Limited: an outside person who is observing the story tells what happens. The pronouns “he”, “she” and / or “they” are used.

Third Person Omniscient: an outside person who is observing the story tells what happens. This outside person also knows all of the characters feelings.

Symbolism

A symbol is a person, place, event or object that stands for something beyond itself. Symbols allow the writer to intensify a feeling or idea.

Examples:

A circus could symbolize fun.

A rose could symbolize beauty.

The Statue of Liberty could symbolize_____.

Foreshadow

The use of clues to suggest something that is going to happen later in the story. These are clues a writer gives the reader – they help build anticipation for the reader so he or she will want to read on.

Flashback

Interruptions in the story’s sequence of events that take the reader back in time in the story. A flashback allows the reader to understand something that happened in the past. It also helps the reader piece together fragments of the plot.

Foreshadow or Flashback?

Sue loved Jason. As she accepted his proposal, she decided to ignore the nagging voice that suggested that perhaps he was too good to be true.

As I walked onto the stage to receive my diploma, I thought back to the day I first set eyes on the University campus. It was a sunny August day, and I felt the apprehension most freshmen feel when arriving at a new school.

Figurative Language

Personification: giving human qualities to ideas, objects or animals

Hyperbole: using exaggeration for the purpose of emphasis or humor

Simile: A comparison of two unlike things using the words “like” or “as”

Metaphor: A comparison of two unlike things stating that something is something else (without using “like” or “as”)

Figurative Language: You Try!

I’m so thirsty I could drink a river.

Sharon was as happy as a lark.

The pen danced across the floor.

During June, the classroom was an oven, and the students baked in it.

Irony

An outcome of events contrary to what was, or might have been expected.

Two types of irony:

Verbal Irony

Situational Irony

Verbal Irony

A contradiction between what is said and what is meant.

Because Sarah’s day had been a disaster and was likely to continue that way, her statement regarding the remainder of the day was an example of verbal irony.

Sarah’s alarm did not go off on time, and she was late for the bus. When she arrived at work she realized she had put on two different shoes. To top it off, she spilled coffee all over a report that she had worked on all weekend. “Just great. I can see this is going to be a perfect day!” Sarah exclaimed.

Situational Irony

A twist of fate in which the results of certain actions are not consistent with the expected results.

Instead of helping to cheer up Michelle as Tony had expected, the roses reminded her of her ex-boyfriend.

“This will help Michelle to focus on something other than her no good ex-boyfriend,” thought Tony. He wrapped the roses carefully, then gave them to Michelle. Tears filled up Michelle’s eyes. “Tom always gave these to me on special occasions,” she said in a broken voice.