Elements of Literature

Tools Storytellers Use

Setting: Definition
Setting is the time and place of the action of a short story, novel,
play, narrative poem, or nonfiction narrative. Setting often plays
an important role in what happens and why. The setting helps
set the mood for the story and often times fits the theme of the
storyline or plot.

Setting: Example #1
The setting for a horror movie helps set the mood for the movie.

Setting: Example #2
The martian is a great example of a good setting. He is alone
on a planet in space by himself.

Direct Characterization: Definition, Example

Direct characterization is how an author tells his or her
reader about a character. Direct characterization occurs when
the author specifically reveals traits about the character using
descriptive adjectives, phrases, or epithets.
Example:
In Richard Connells The Most Dangerous Game, Rainsford, the protagonist,
says youre a big-game hunter, not a philosopher, referring to his hunting partner.

Indirect Characterization: Definition, Examples

Definition: The process by which the personality of a
character is revealed through the character's speech, actions,
appearance, etc.
Example:

Conflict: Definitions
Internal: Struggle takes place within a character
External: Outside force occurs
Conflicts are struggles between opposing forces on the basis
of the plot in dramatic and narrative literature

Conflict: Examples
Internal (Person vs Self)
In the Hobbit, Bilbo has internal conflict on if he should
continue his journey with the Dwarves or go back to his
Hobbit Hole. Throughout the novel he has thoughts of
going back and is always thinking about the hole.
External (Person vs Nature)
In Life Of Pi, Pi was trapped in the middle of the ocean
and had to try to survive.

Point of View: Definitions

Third person point of view: events are described by narrator
outside the action.
Character is omniscient ( all-knowing) can see mind of more
than one character
third-person limited point of view: narrator tells story from
perspective of only one of the characters.
The third-person objective employs a narrator who tells a story
without describing any character's thoughts, opinions, or
feelings; instead, it gives an objective, unbiased point of view.

Point of View: Definitions

Point of View= the point of view is the perspective the story is
wrote in.
First Person= the narrator is the main character in the story.
Narrating the story as they see things and as events unfold.

Point of View: Examples

1st person point of view are usually used by authors in most
novels to give a relatable connection to the events happening
to the characters . For example life of Pi uses first person to
describe his quest for survival through his own eyes.
Third person point of view uses pronouns like he, she, it, or
they. For example the Harry Potter books use this form of
writing.
Third person omniscient point of view the story is told from
several different characters points-of-view. A good example
of third person omniscient is found in the scarlet letter. In
this novel the story is told from many different characters,
the narrator knows the thoughts, actions, feelings of the
characters.

Characterization: Definition
The techniques that writers use to develop characters. There are
4 basic methods of characterization. Well be talking about two:
Direct and Indirect Characterization.

Plot: Definitions
Plot is the sequence of actions and events in a narrative. Usually the
events of a plot progress because of a conflict, or a struggle between the
opposing forces.
Exposition: The groundwork for the plot and provides the reader with
essential background information
Rising Action: Complications usually arise, causing difficulties for the
main character to resolve the conflict.
Climax: The turning point of the action, the moment when interest and
intensity reach their peak.
Falling action: Events that occur after the climax. Often, a conflict is
resolved, and the intensity of the action subsides.
Resolution: The stage that tangles of the plot are untied and mysteries are
solved.

Plot: Explanation
Skillful uses of plot:
Scooby-Doo

Irony: Definitions
Irony is a contrast between what is expected and what
actually exists or happens.
3 main types:
Situational: when a character or a reader expects one
thing to happen but something else actually happens.
Verbal: when a writer or character says one thing but
means another.
Dramatic: involves a contrast between what a
character knows and what the reader or audience
knows.

Irony: Examples
Situational: Simon Birch could never hit the baseball and the
one time he hits it, its a foul ball and the baseball hits his
friends mom in the head and kills her. You would never
expect that to happen.
Dramatic: in Frozen, olaf wants it to be summertime so bad,
and he doesnt know that hes going to melt but everyone else
does.
Verbal: In Mean Girls, Regina George comments on Catys
bracelet and says its really cute, but Caty doesnt know that
shes kidding and takes it as a genuine compliment.

Irony: Examples
Olaf dreaming of summer