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Introduction
It is very important to have a good
understanding of the different Elements of
Literature in order to get the full effect of a story.
In this presentation I will provide you with a good
sense of these different elements. I will describe
the Plot Diagram, Plot Elements,
Characterization, Setting, Point of View, and
Theme. To help display the idea of these
different elements I will be using examples from
the story The Gift of the Magi. To start off I will
describe the Plot Elements and show you a Plot
Diagram.
Plot Elements
Inciting Incident
Climax
Falling Action
Resolution
Plot Diagram
Climax
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Exposition
Inciting
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Resolution
Dnouement
Exposition
Inciting
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Exposition
Climax
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Resolution
Dnouement
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Inciting Incident
Exposition
Inciting
Incident
Climax
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Resolution
Dnouement
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Rising Action
Climax
Exposition
Inciting
Incident
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Resolution
Dnouement
Climax
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Inciting
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Resolution
Dnouement
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Exposition
Inciting
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Climax
Falling Action
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Resolution
Dnouement
Climax
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Exposition
Inciting
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Resolution
Resolution
Dnouement
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Resolution
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Climax
Dnouement
Dnouement
Dnouement
The Dnouement is what follows the resolution and
ties up loose ends. In the dnouement for The Gift
of the Magi Jim sold his watch to buy combs for
Dellas hair and Della sold her hair to buy a chain
for Jims watch. This shows how two people love
each other so much they sold their prized
possession to buy a gift for the other. They are
wise like the magi because they know that their
love for each other will never die if they think of
the other person first and dont place material
objects in front of the other.
Characterization
Characterization are all the things that make up a
character including looks, feelings, thoughts, etc.
We can find these things out through direct and
indirect characterization. In The Gift of the Magi
the major characters are Jim and Della, and
Madame Sofronie as a minor character. The author
uses indirect characterization. This is when the
reader uses clues that are given to figure out
information about the character. The different parts
of a story the reader could look at are speech,
thoughts, effects on others, actions, and
appearance.
Setting
The setting of a story is the location as well
as the time in which it occurs. The setting of
a story tells the reader many things. The
physical details of setting can become
linked with values, ideas, and attitudes. It
also gives us clues about the theme of a
story.
Point of View
Point of view is the way the author allows you to
see and hear what's going on. A story can be
written in first person, second person, third person
omniscient, or third person limited. First person is
when the reader sees the story through the
narrators eyes. Second person is when the reader
is drawn into the story. Third person omniscient is
when every characters thoughts are open to the
reader. Third person limited is when the reader is
open to one characters thoughts and actions.
Theme
The theme of a story is the idea or view about life
that the story expresses. There are many different
ways to uncover theme. Such as asking questions
or finding different allusions made through out the
story. To find theme you can look in places such as
the title, repeating patterns, details, and what a
character learns.
The theme of The Gift of the Magi is, that the wisest
people know our love means more than material things.
Looking at the title for clues can be helpful because it
tells us about the Magi. The character Della also learns
that this is true when her and Jim sold their prized
possessions and bought useless gifts but still love each
other. One example would be when Jim states, I dont
think theres anything in the way a haircut or a shave or
a shampoo that could make me like my girl any less.
This shows that he loves her no matter what she does
or doesnt have. Another example about being wise and
thinking of others is when the narrator states, O all
who give and receive gifts, such they are the wisest.
Conclusion
As I have stated before, understanding the
Elements of Literature is very important to
get the full effect of a story. I have provided
you with a good sense of these different
elements and how they apply to The Gift of
the Magi. You know have a good idea of
what a plot diagram, plot elements,
characterization, setting, point of view, and
theme are. I hope you can use these to help
you comprehend any story when you need
it.