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Notes on the Elements of Literature

Notes on the Elements of Literature. Elements? What?.

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Notes on the Elements of Literature

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  1. Notes on the Elements of Literature

  2. Elements? What? • The elements of literature are the individual aspects that make up a piece of literature. There are a variety of them, and they are each quite different from one another, but without them, a literary work would not be complete or as effective.

  3. Plot Setting Point of View (POV) Conflict Character Theme Tone & Mood Figurative Language Miscellaneous Elements The Elements

  4. Plot • There are five main parts to the plot. • Exposition (We get background info; intro to the characters, setting, etc.; we get hint of conflict) • Rising Action (Conflict begins to build) • Climax (The turning point of the story; highest point of interest; main character faces conflict here) • Falling Action (Loose ends are tied up; conflict and climax are taken care of) • Resolution/Denouement (story comes to a “reasonable” ending)

  5. Plot Diagram • http://www.glencoe.com/sec/literature/course/course1/unit/shortstory.shtml

  6. Setting • Setting refers to TIME and PLACE: • Time: of day, year, era/age? • Place: city, country? Outside, inside? Rich and opulent or poor and simple? Stark and barren landscape? Rainy or sunny? Beautiful or adversarial? Dark or light? Dangerous or safe? The weather? ***How does all this affect meaning? What feelings (atmosphere) are evoked just by the setting? ***How would the story of “The Little Mermaid” be different if it weren’t set in the sea?

  7. Point of View (POV) • Who is the narrator? • How does the narrator tell the story, from first or third person? • How much of the world can the narrator perceive (omniscient or limited)? • How does the vantage point of the narrator affect the meaning of the story? • How would the story change if the narrator changed?

  8. POV Continued • Types of POV: • First Person: "I"; all is told through the storyteller's perception, a character in the story, but not always the main character. Can know the thoughts/feelings of the narrator (the "I") but no others. • Third person-limited: The narrator is an outsider who sees into the mind of one of the characters. • Third person-objective: The narrator is an outsider who can report only what he or she sees and hears. This narrator can tell us what is happening, but he can’t tell us the thoughts of the characters. • Omniscient: The narrator is an all-knowing outsider who can enter the minds of more than one of the characters

  9. Conflict • Conflict is the essence of fiction. It creates plot. • Conflict can be separated into two categories: internal and external. • Internal conflicts are conflicts within the character, such as a character battling with his feelings and thoughts.

  10. Person versus person:  It is obvious what this is.  Person versus society:  This is where a person has to battle the views of society of how the society is behaving.  3. Person versus beast:  This is where a person has to battle an animal or monster.  Person versus the elements:  An example of this is the movie Twister where the family has to go up against nature.  The elements are natural forces.  Person versus fate:  In this conflict, a person has to deal with the hand the fates have dealt them.  6.Person versus machine.  An example would be the movie I, Robot where Will Smith has to kill the robots before they kill him.  6 Types of External Conflict

  11. Character • There are 3 main types of characters: • The protagonist is the main character.  This is usually the hero.  • The antagonist is the force opposing the protagonist.  This is usually the bad guy.  • Foil characters are characters who contrast the protagonist.  In Home Alone, the short, smart guy, is a foil to the tall, dumb guy. **Characters who undergo change are called dynamic characters.  Characters who do not change are called static characters.

  12. Theme • The main idea or underlying meaning of a literary work. • A theme may be stated or implied. • Theme differs from the subject or topic of a literary work in that it involves a statement or opinion about the topic. Not every literary work has a theme. • There may be more than one theme working at once. • It is important to recognize the difference between the theme of a literary work and the subject of a literary work. The subject is the topic on which an author has chosen to write. The theme, however, makes some statement about or expresses some opinion on that topic. For example, the subject of a story might be war while the theme might be the idea that war is useless.

  13. Theme, Continued • Four ways in which an author can express themes are as follows: • Themes are expressed and emphasized by the way the author makes us feel, which can be done through the feelings of the characters. • Themes are presented in the thoughts and conversations of the characters. 3. Themes are suggested through the characters. The main character usually illustrates the most important theme of the story. A good way to get at this theme is to ask yourself the question, what does the main character learn in the course of the story? 4. The actions or events in the story are used to suggest theme. People naturally express ideas and feelings through their actions.

  14. Tone: The author’s attitude, stated or implied, toward a subject. Some possible attitudes are pessimism, optimism, earnestness, seriousness, bitterness, humorous, and joyful. An author’s tone can be revealed through choice of words and details. Mood: The climate of  feeling in a literary work. The choice of setting, objects, details, images, and words all contribute towards creating a specific mood. For example, an author may create a mood of mystery around a character or setting but may treat that character or setting in an ironic, serious, or humorous tone. Tone & Mood

  15. Figurative Language • Whenever you describe something by comparing it with something else, you are using figurative language. • Simile: comparison using like/as • Example: She is as skinny as a rail. • Metaphor: comparison not using like/as • Example: She is a rail! • Hyperbole: Over-exaggeration used to emphasize, not confuse • Example: I called you a million times!

  16. Fig. Lang., Continued • Alliteration: Repeated consonant sounds occurring at the beginning of words or within words. • Example: She sells seashells by the seashore. • Personification: A figure of speech which gives the qualities of a person to an animal, an object, or an idea. It is a comparison which the author uses to show something in an entirely new light. • I could hear the trees cry in the wind. • Onomatopoeia: The use of words that mimic sounds. They appeal to our sense of hearing and they help bring a description to life. • Horses’ hooves go click, clack.

  17. Miscellaneous Elements • Irony: the contrast between what is expected or what appears to be and what actually is. • Verbal: The contrast between what is said and what is actually meant. • Dramatic: This occurs when the audience or reader knows more than the characters know. • Situational: This refers to a happening that is the opposite of what is expected or intended. • Cosmic: Is the situation unjust to a person or group of people in a manner beyond their control? Is a good person in a bad situation due to circumstances beyond his/her control in such a way unfair/inappropriate tha this person must suffer? Is this person a victim of fate?

  18. Miscellaneous Elements • Imagery: Language that appeals to the senses. Descriptions of people or objects stated in terms of our senses.

  19. Symbolism • A person, place or object which has a meaning in itself but suggests other meanings as well. • Things, characters and actions can be symbols. Anything that suggests a meaning beyond the obvious. • Some symbols are conventional, generally meaning the same thing to all readers.  • Example: a Christmas Tree

  20. Resources • http://alex.state.al.us/uploads/6991/Elements%20of%20a%20Plot%20Diagram%5D.ppt#256,1,Identifying the Elements of A Plot Diagram • http://www.orangeusd.k12.ca.us/yorba/literary_elements.htm • http://www.internetland.net/~bshull/NBTT/literary_elements.htm • http://www.kareyperkins.com/classes/420/420litelem.html • http://www.glencoe.com/sec/literature/course/course1/unit/shortstory.shtml

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