Literary ElementsLiterary Elements

Why is this Why is this important?important?

SettingSetting Setting tells us where and when the Setting tells us where and when the

story takes placestory takes place– Usually established very early in the Usually established very early in the

storystory– Includes: location, time period, and Includes: location, time period, and

immediate detailimmediate detail

CharacterizationCharacterization Usually people or animalsUsually people or animals Refers to the technique the author Refers to the technique the author

uses to develop charactersuses to develop characters Includes:Includes:

– Direct CharacterizationDirect Characterization - what the - what the author says about the characterauthor says about the character

– Indirect CharacterizationIndirect Characterization - what the - what the character does and says, what the other character does and says, what the other characters say about the charactercharacters say about the character

Characterization (pg. 2)Characterization (pg. 2)

Types of characters:Types of characters:– RoundRound – A character with many different – A character with many different

character traits, like a live personcharacter traits, like a live person– FlatFlat – A character that has only one or – A character that has only one or

two traitstwo traits– StaticStatic – A character that does not change – A character that does not change

much through the course of the story.much through the course of the story.– DynamicDynamic – A character that changes as a – A character that changes as a

result of the story’s events.result of the story’s events.

Characterization (P.3)Characterization (P.3)

– ProtagonistProtagonist – The main character in a – The main character in a literary workliterary work

– AntagonistAntagonist – A character or force in – A character or force in conflict with a main character.conflict with a main character.

Point of viewPoint of view A.K.A., narrator, personal, speaker, A.K.A., narrator, personal, speaker, Types of P.O.V.Types of P.O.V.

– First-Person P.O.V.First-Person P.O.V. – “I” tells the – “I” tells the story. We only know what this person story. We only know what this person sees and hears. We only learn what “I” sees and hears. We only learn what “I” chooses – or is able – to tell us.chooses – or is able – to tell us.

– Third PersonThird Person – he/she – the narrator – he/she – the narrator standing on the sidelines that is standing on the sidelines that is watching the story as it happens.watching the story as it happens.

PlotPlotThe sequence of events in a storyThe sequence of events in a story

Includes the Includes the plot lineplot line (WHAT HAPPENS) –(WHAT HAPPENS) – 1. 1. Exposition Exposition - - Background Information Background Information that establishes setting & describes situation that establishes setting & describes situation in which the main characters find themselvesin which the main characters find themselves

2. 2. Rising ActionRising Action – – One or more One or more

characters face/try to solve a problem.characters face/try to solve a problem.

3. 3. ClimaxClimax – – Crucial moment in the story Crucial moment in the story when characters must act.when characters must act.

Plot (P.2)Plot (P.2)4. 4. Falling Action (Denouement)Falling Action (Denouement) – –

Explores the consequences of the climax. Explores the consequences of the climax. The reader feels the tension in the story The reader feels the tension in the story begin to ease.begin to ease.

5. 5. ResolutionResolution – – The Central problem The Central problem is finally solved, leaving the reader with a is finally solved, leaving the reader with a sense of completion, although the main sense of completion, although the main character may not feel the same way.character may not feel the same way.

ConflictConflict

CONFLICT FOCUSES ON A CONFLICT FOCUSES ON A STRUGGLE BETWEEN TWO STRUGGLE BETWEEN TWO

OPPOSING FORCES.OPPOSING FORCES. Internal vs. External ConflictInternal vs. External Conflict

– InternalInternal – When a character is fighting to – When a character is fighting to control an inner problem. (Ex. Fear, control an inner problem. (Ex. Fear, anger, homesickness)anger, homesickness)

– ExternalExternal – When a character is struggling – When a character is struggling against something outside him or herself. against something outside him or herself.

DIFFERENT TYPESDIFFERENT TYPES MAN VS. MANMAN VS. MAN – Problem with another – Problem with another

charactercharacter MAN VS. SOCIETYMAN VS. SOCIETY – Problem with the – Problem with the

laws of beliefs of a group of peoplelaws of beliefs of a group of people MAN VS. NATUREMAN VS. NATURE – Problem with a – Problem with a

force of nature or some aspect of the force of nature or some aspect of the environmentenvironment

MAN VS. SELFMAN VS. SELF – Problem with – Problem with deciding what to do, think, or feeldeciding what to do, think, or feel

MAN VS. FATEMAN VS. FATE – Problem that seems – Problem that seems beyond the character’s controlbeyond the character’s control