Elements of a Literary Work
). Different Elements
Genre
major type/category of literature
Setting
time, place, general environment in which a literary work occurs
Characters
people, animals, imaginary creatures that takes part in a story
Characterization
method authors use to make the reader familiar with the characters
Protagonist
the main character (the good guy)
Antagonist
character who opposes the main character (usually the bad guy)
Theme
the underlying idea or meaning of a literary work. Its an idea or statement about life that the author is making.
Plot
A plot is what haooens in a piece of literature Most plots are built on: Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, resolution
Conflict
a struggle between a character and an outside force
What are the four basic types of conflict?
character vs character (external conflict) character vs nature (external conflict) character vs machine (external conflict) Character vs him/herself (inner conflict)
Point of View
author's choice of narrator
Omniscient
the narrator knows everything about the characters and their problems, not in the story though, watches from above like a god
First-Person Limited
Seeing from one point of view, and knowing what they only know From the eyes of the character
Third-Person Limited
the narrator focuses on only the thoughts and feelings of one character
What are the three points of view?
Omniscient, first-person limited, third-person limited
Mood
Is the feeling that the writer creates for the reader
Suspense
anxiety the reader feels about what will happen next
Foreshadowing
The use of clues to tell the reader what will happen next, this usually heightens suspense