Literary elements
This describes what happens in a story, and why.
What is plot?
The protagonist of the series.
Who is Harry Potter?
"Mischief Managed" or "The sorcerer's stone" are examples of this repetitive technique being used in the Harry Potter books.
What is alliteration?
Never trust anything that thinks for itself if you can't see where it keeps its brain!
Who is Mr. Weasley?
In England, this book is called "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone".
What is "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone"?
This element is concerned with the imagined people made life-like by an author for a story
What is characterization?
The antagonist. Variously known as "he who must not be named", "you know who" or "the dark lord"
One common complaint made of JK Rowling's writing style is that she uses too many of this kind of describing word, often ending with "-ly".
What are adverbs?
"Can't even go into a book shop without making the front page."
This books solemnly swears it is up to no good, and Hermione makes good use of a magical artifact that turns the story around.
What is Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban?
An idea, concept, or lesson that appears repeatedly throughout a story.
What is theme?
This character, described as a "beefy man with hardly any neck", is an excellent example of a flat character
Vernon Dursley
The more sophisticated cousin to a simile, this comparison between two seemingly different things does not use the words "like" or "as"
What is a metaphor?
Better wizards than you have lost buttocks, you know!
Who is Mad-eye Moody?
My son didn't think the original title reflected the main action of the book and suggested the alternate title of "Harry Potter and the Department of Mysteries"
What is "harry potter and the Order of the Phoenix?"
The time and place in which the events of a story take place.
What is the setting?
The name of this character makes allusions both to the founding legend of Rome and to the latin name of the animal that gives him monthly grief.
Who is Remus Lupin?
This term describes an element, character type, or situation that is repeated frequently and serves to develop and emphasis a theme. An example we spoke about was inept authority figures.
What is a motif?
"People expect you to have cooler friends than us"
Who is Luna Lovegood?
In this book, Harry smells the handle of a broomstick, and "something flowery he might have once smelled at the Burrow"
What is "Harry Potter and the Half blood Prince"?
The perspective from which a story is told. Can be described as first person, third person, limited or omniscient.
What is the Point of view or narrator?
Dumbledore is an example of this type of character. Other examples in literature include Gandalf, Haymitch, or Miss Honey.
Who is a mentor?
"I open at the close" is an example of this literary element, in which seemingly contradictory information is found to be reasonable.
What is a paradox?
"Oh...are you that bad at kissing?"
Who is Ron Weasley?
This book includes an eavesdropping beetle and 16 year old with long white beards.
What is "harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire"