Thinking Critically About Literary Elements

1. Thinking Critically About Literary Elements Characters Style Setting • Author’s distinctive way of writing • When and where the story takes place • Well-developed and believable • Word choice and sentence construction • Involvement with and caring for them • Past, present, or future • Mood, tone, and pacing of story • Generic or detailed and specific • Point of view Stuart Little, Wilbur, Madeline, Peter Rabbit, Bilbo Baggins are all characters leaving impressions. Sarah, Plain and Tall by P. Mac-Lachan shows the straightforward manner of the main character. Midwife’s Apprentice by K .Cushman is set in medieval England and reflects historical accuracy of the era. Theme Plot • Action of the story • Central idea of the entire story • Beginning, rising action, climax, and falling action • Not overpowering the characters • or plot • Conflict and the resolution of that conflict Bridge to TerabithiabyK. Paterson employs duel plots: juvenile detention facility and no good great great grandfather. Holes by L. Sachar employs duel plots: juvenile detention facility and no good great great grandfather. Denise Johnson The Joy of Children’s Literature