Literary Elements

Literary Elements Short Story Terms

Plot Series of events that make up a story.

The Plot Triangle A tool to organize a story.

The Plot Triangle #3 #2 #4 #1 #5

#1 Exposition: The Intro Background information that is shared at the beginning of the story.

#2 Rising Action: The Problem Events that occur leading up to the highest point of tension in the story.

#3 Climax: The Turning Point The highest point of tension in the story.

#4 Falling Action: Solving! The conflict is in process of being solved or dealt with; the events leading to the ending.

#5 Resolution: THE END The conclusion; the part of the story when everything is wrapped up.

The Plot Triangle Climax Rising Action Falling Action Resolution Exposition

Protagonist: The Main Guy The person the story revolves around.

Protagonist

Antagonist: The Opponent The one in conflict with the protagonist.

Antagonist

Point of View The point from which the writer is telling the story.

1st Person POV One character is telling the story from their point of view; using “I” and “me”; we get to know the character’s thoughts and feelings well.

3rd Person Limited POV The narrator, who plays no part in the story, but zooms in on the thoughts and feelings of just one character in the story.

Omniscient Narrator The “all-knowing” narrator; the person telling the story knows everything there is to know about the characters and their problems.

Irony Contrast between expectation and what actually happens.

Dramatic Irony When the reader knows something important that the character does not.

Situational Irony Contrast between what we expect to happen and what really happens.

Verbal Irony When you say one thing, but mean another; sarcasm. I love waking up early on Monday mornings. #stuffno1says

Symbol Person, place, thing, or event that stands for itself and for something beyond itself as well.

Symbols

Conflict A struggle between opposing forces.

Internal Conflict A struggle that occurs within the character. This often has to do with morals.

External Conflict A struggle that occurs between the character and some outside source. This source may be another character, nature, or some element of society, such as political views.

Inference A conclusion using prior knowledge and personal connections.

Characterization Details used to describe the character’s personality and appearance.

Figurative Language Expressions that emphasize imaginative language. METAPHOR SIMILE PERSONIFICATION

Metaphor Comparison between two unlike things. Example: sea of grief green with envy

Simile Comparison between two unlike things usinglike or as. Example: hungry as a horse bright like a flashlight

Personification Giving human qualities to something that is not human. Example

Imagery Using language that appeals to the senses. VISUAL AURAL OLFACTORY TACTILE GUSTATORY

Tone Speaker’s attitude!

Mood Emotional effect that the text creates for the audience.

Suspense a state or feeling of excited or anxious uncertainty about what may happen

Onomatopoeia Word that imitates sound. BUZZ…. BOOM!

Literary Elements