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Introduction to Literary
Elements
Short Story Unit
Literature & Composition
Fiction
Prose/narrative (story form
writing) about imaginary people,
places and events
Something that is made up--- not
factual
Can seem realistic
Plot
Climax
Exposition
Resolution
(Denouement)
Turning Point (Inciting Incident)
Foreshadowing
The use of clues or hints by the
author to prepare the reader for what
will happen later
Can use background information,
mood & music
Conflict
Character vs. Character
Character vs. Society
Character vs. Self
Character vs. Nature
Character vs. Technology/Machine
Character vs. Supernatural/Deity
Characterization
What the character says
What the character does
What the character thinks/feels
What other characters say & think about
him/her
The character’s physical appearance or
environment
Dynamic Characters
Those who transform or evolve in
the story; usually major characters
Static Characters
Those who do NOT change or
grow, but remain the same; usually
minor characters
Protagonist
The character with whom the reader
is meant to sympathize
The character who grows or learns
something
Often the “hero”
Antagonist
The character (or force) who stands
in conflict with the protagonist
Often the “villain”
Setting
Time/When
Place/Where
Social Atmosphere (affected by
historical era, social movements, and
crises)
Tone
• The author’s attitude toward
his/her subject
• Emotion words are used to label
this element in a story (e.g. –
angry, indifferent, excited, sad)
Mood / Atmosphere
The reader’s emotional response to
the characters and events of a story
Often influenced by setting and
tone
Emotion words also used here
Symbols
Concrete objects that suggest
abstract ideas
Something that stands for
something else
For example: red rose=love
Point of View: Perspective
First person: narrator is a character in the
story (“I” perspective) – can be unreliable!
Third person limited: story is told through
the thoughts & feelings of ONE character - the
reader may feel like she is looking “over the
shoulder” of a character (“S/he”perspective)
Third person omniscient: narrator is NOT a
character in the story; story is told from a godlike perspective; can relate knowledge about
all characters at any time
Irony
Situational: when the opposite of
what is expected occurs
Verbal: when a character says one
thing but means another (the
opposite)
Dramatic: when the
audience/reader knows something
that a character does not know
Theme
The universal truth revealed about
life
Must be stated in a complete
sentence
Avoids using clichés, giving advice
or stating a rule