Literary Elements

1. Literary Elements

2. Foreshadowing • A hint about an event that will occur later in the story. • Often designed to build suspense and keep the reader guessing about the outcome of an event. • Example: “At the time, we had no idea that we would never see her again.” • Chapter Two of Downsiders hints at the causes of the Great Shaft Disaster which unfolds later in the story.

3. Flashback • When the author takes the reader back in time to see an event that has already occurred. • Helps the reader understand a situation better. • Gives background information • Often occurs as a dream, daydreaming, or a character being “lost” in thought.

4. Point of View (POV) • The way in which the author chooses to tell the story. • Four main points of view

5. 4 Points of View • 1st person – the story is told by a character of the story using “I” speak. Think personal narratives! • (Examples: Twilight, Lightning Thief, La Linea, The Dream Bearer) • 2nd person – rarely used in fiction. Uses “You” speak. Most often seen in how-to or self help writing. (Example: How to get Organized without Losing It)

6. 4 Points of View (cont.) • 3rd person limited – the story is told by a narrator who is not part of the story. The narrator follows ONE character through the story. • (Examples: Bar Code Tattoo, Stormbreaker, The Conch Bearer) • 3rd person omniscient – the story is told by a narrator who is not part of the story. This narrator can follow SEVERAL or ALL characters at the same time through the story. Usually uses different chapters to tell about different characters. • (Examples: Harry Potter, Ranger’s Apprentice, Artemis Fowl)

7. Symbol • A person, place or object that stands for something else. • Often stand for something invisible like a feeling or idea • What is a common symbol for • Freedom - Love

8. Theme • The message or moral of the story. • This is what the author wants the reader to understand or come away from the story with. • It is often a message about life or human nature. • Themes are not single words – they are big ideas or sentences. • One story can have multiple themes.

9. Tone • the writer’s attitude toward his/her subject • Tone can often be inferred by analyzing the writer’s choice of words and details. • Take a look at the paragraph on the next slide and try to determine the author’s tone.

10. An excerpt from On Becoming Babywise by Gary Ezzo Marisa’s parents have adopted the child-centered approach. As a result, Marisa will never have to wait for anything. If she wants something, it is given to her on demand. Baby-sitters? They make Marisa uneasy. So an evening out alone together simply is not an option. Either her parents will take her everywhere they go, or they will miss a function due to her inability to take part. As for eating, if Marisa suddenly rejects her bananas, she’ll be offered a variety of options until her particular preference is revealed. Then mom will stock the shelves full of Marisa’s delight, only to learn days later that the child’s pleasure is back to bananas. Welcome to the circus.

11. Mood • the feeling the writer creates for the readers • Moods may be suspenseful, sad, exciting or calm • The young boy sat upright in bed, sure that he had heard a sound in the hallway. He strained to listen more closely. Were those footsteps that he heard creeping towards his room? But how can be…he was home alone tonight. He looked over at his door and noticed the doorknob begin to slowly turn in a clockwise direction. Whoever or whatever was in the hallway was about to come into his room!