The Elements of Literature

1. The Elements of Literature (These will sometimes be referred to as “story elements”.)

2. 1) Characters The people or animals that take part in the action.

3. 2) Setting Where and when the action of the story takes place. (place and time)

4. 3) Conflict The problem in the story.

5. 4) Internal Conflict • Conflict that takes place within a character's mind. • sometimes called individual vs. self

6. 5) External Conflict • Conflict between a character and the outside world • Ex- individual vs. individual • individual vs. nature • individual vs. society • individual vs. supernatural • individual vs. technology

7. 6) Exposition/Introduction This is made up of the setting, characters, and the conflict of the story. 7) Initiating event = the first event in the story that begins the rising action, or that gets the story going.

8. 8) Rising action • These are the events of the story that contribute to the problem that the characters face. This is where excitement builds.

9. 9) Climax • The most exciting part of the story. • The turning point in the action.

10. 10) Falling action After the climax, the events that happen leading to the ending

11. 11) Resolution • The outcome of the story • The new situation of the characters when we leave them at the end. • The resolution is a direct result of the conflict and the climax.

12. 12) Theme • The meaning, message, or moral of a story. • Not always stated, but you must sometimes infer the theme.

13. 13) Foreshadowing Clues that hint at coming events in a story

14. This is binder page 5. Don’t forget to number the page, put the date on it, and make sure your name is on it. Treasure this page. It will show up on several quizzes and a test in the next few weeks.