Literary Elements Review

1. What do I remember about a good story? Literary Elements Review 8th-Grade Reading Ms. Jordan

2. Plot = What happens • In all fiction, what happens (all the action) is called the PLOT. • Plot includes: • Exposition • Rising Action • Climax • Falling Action • Resolution

3. Which one is NOT a part of the basic plot structure: • Rising action • Resolution • Drama action

4. Exposition The introduction which presents: • the setting, • the conflict, • the characters, • and presents other facts necessary to understanding the story. The exposition “exposes” this basic information to introduce the story.

5. Rising Action A series of events that builds from the conflict. • Begins with the inciting force and • Ends with the climax. the climax of the story

6. Climax The climax is the result of the crisis. It is the high point of the story for the reader. It is the moment of highest interest and greatest emotion.

7. Falling Action The events after the climax which close the story. There is an intense drop of audience emotion from the climax to the falling action. The end of the story

8. Resolution • Also called “denouement.” • Rounds out and concludes the plot. • Answers the question “how does it all turn out?” the end of the story

9. Most of the plot is part of the: • Rising action • Climax • Falling action 10

10. Foreshadowing The use of hints or clues to suggest what will happen later in the story. Foreshadowing serves two purposes: • It builds suspense by raising questions that encourage the reader to read on. • Foreshadowing is also makes the narrative more believable by preparing the reader for events which are to follow. Foreshadowing is often subliminal – the reader is partly unaware of it.

11. Imagery Language that appeals to the senses. Descriptions of people or objects in enough detail so that the reader can see, taste, hear, smell or feel the object being described. Imagery makes the story seem more real and believable for the reader.

12. Tone The author’s attitude toward a subject. Some possible attitudes are pessimism, optimism, seriousness, bitterness, humorous, and joyful. An author’s tone can be revealed through choice of words and details. The author’s word choice reveals his or her tone.

13. Conflict The main problem. Four kinds of conflict ….

14. Person vs. Nature A run-in with the forces of nature. On the one hand, it expresses the insignificance of a single human life in the cosmic scheme of things. On the other hand, it tests the limits of a person’s strength and will to live.

15. Person vs. Society With this type of conflict, the main character challenges the - • rules • values • customs by which everyone else lives and believes in.

16. Person vs. Person Conflict that pits one person against another. It can be person against one or more people.

17. Person vs. Self Can I do this? An internal conflict. An internal conflict is a good test of a character’s values and inner strength. Does s/he give in to temptation or rise above it? Does s/he demand the most from himself or settle for something less? An internal conflict of a character often involves decision-making.

18. When a character experiences an inner conflict (i.e., is confused about something): • Person vs. self • Person vs. person • Person vs. nature 10

19. Theme Themain idea or underlying meaning of a literary work. A theme may be stated or implied. Theme differs from the subject or topic of a literary work in that it involves the author’s opinion about the topic. Themes may be major or minor. A major theme is an idea the author returns to time and again. It becomes one of the most important ideas in the story. Minor themes are ideas that may appear from time to time.

20. Mood The atmosphere orfeeling in a literary work. The choice of setting, objects, details, images, and words all contribute towards creating a specific mood. Mood is different from tone. For example, an author may create a mood of mystery around a character or setting but may treat that character or setting in an ironic, serious, or humorous tone.

21. The mood of a piece is: • The author’s tone • How the work makes the audience feel • The author’s message

22. Point of View Also called P.O.V. The person’s perspective through which the reader “views” the story.

23. First Person The narrator is a character in the story who can reveal only personal thoughts and feelings and what he or she sees and is told by other characters. S/he can’t tell us thoughts of other characters. Uses pronouns “me,” “I,” and “we.”

24. When reading a piece and noting the author uses the word “I,” “me,” and “we;” the reader immediately knows the piece is written in first person point-of-view. • True • False 10

25. Third-Person Limited The narrator is an outsider who sees into the mind of one of the characters. Can follow the perspective of only one character (usually the main character). Refers to the main character by his/her name and uses the pronouns “she,” “he,” or “they.” Limited to one character

26. Third-Person Omniscient Also known as “omniscient.” “Omniscient” means “all knowing.” With this P.O.V., the author can see into the mind of any and all characters.

27. “I thought I would jump out of my seat when the referee called a foul.” This statement is written in: • First person • Third person 10

28. “Dakota screamed when she saw her date for the prom.” This statement is written in: • First person • Third person 10

29. When the reader can see into the mind of only one character: • First person • Third person limited • Third person omniscient

30. Major Characters MAJOR CHARACTERS have good and bad qualities. Their goals, ambitions and values change. A round character is fully described and developed. A character who changes inside as a result of what happens to him is referred to in literature as a DYNAMIC character. A dynamic character learns and grows.

31. Types of Major Characters ProtagonistThe main character in the story. AntagonistThe character or force that opposes the protagonist. FoilA character who provides a contrast to the protagonist.

32. Minor Characters MINOR CHARACTERS have only one or two striking qualities. They are usually all good or all bad. Such characters can be interesting or amusing in their own right, but they lack depth. Flat characters are sometimes referred to as STATIC characters because they do not change in the course of the story.

33. The protagonist and antagonist are: • Minor characters • Major characters 10

34. Irony is the contrast between what is expected or what appears to be and what actually is. Irony

35. Verbal Irony The contrast between what is said and what is actually meant. A simple example is someone saying "Wonderful", "Fantastic" or "Charming!" in reaction to something negative occurring.

36. Situational Irony This refers to a happening that is the opposite of what is expected or intended. The “situation” is unexpected.

37. There is usually a surprise ending in The Twilight Zone. This is a good example of: • Situational irony • Verbal irony 10

38. Dramatic Irony Dramatic Irony occurs when the audience or reader knows more than the characters know. Dramatic irony builds suspense.

39. Saying the opposite of what you mean is an example of: • Situational irony • Verbal irony • Dramatic irony 10

40. Which type of irony always involves an audience: • Situational irony • Verbal irony • Dramatic irony 10

41. Any questions? The End … or the resolution of this review.