Elements
What are literary elements used for?
Readers analyze literary elements to develop a deeper understanding of the text.
characters that do not change throughout the course of the narrative
a static character does not go through a transformation or learn an important life lesson
What does the setting influence?
The setting of a short story can influence the tone and mood of a story.
What is the mood?
The feeling the reader gets from the story (e.g., eerie, joyful, suspenseful).
What is the theme?
the theme is the central message of the story
What is a literary element?
A literary element is a literary structure found in fictional writing
What is the antagonist?
a person who actively opposes or is hostile to someone or something; an adversary
What is the setting?
The setting of a short story is the time and place in which it is set.
What is the conflict?
the conflict is a literary element that involves a struggle between two opposing forces – usually the protagonist and an antagonist
the conflict is the main problem in the story
What is a motif?
A recurring element, symbol, or theme in a story that reinforces its message
What is symbolism?
The use of objects, colors, or elements to represent deeper meanings
What is the protagonist?
The leading character or one of the major characters in a drama, movie, novel, or other fictional text
What is a flat character?
characters that are two-dimensional and are relatively uncomplicated
usually a side-kick
oftentimes included in fiction as comedic relief
What is a simile?
A comparison between two things using "like" or "as”
What is Personification?
Giving human characteristics to non-human things
What is a metaphor?
A direct comparison between two unrelated things, stating one is the other
What is a character?
a character is a person (or animal) in a literary work that takes part in the action
What is a round character?
characters that display multiple character traits
a complex character
a character the audience know a lot about
a relatable character
What is the tone?
The author's attitude toward the subject (e.g., serious, humorous, sarcastic).
What is literary style?
The author’s word choice, sentence structure, & literary devices
Influenced by diction, syntax, and figurative language
Can be formal, informal, poetic, descriptive, or minimalist
What is plot structure?
Exposition: Introduces characters, setting, and conflict.
Inciting Incident: The event that sets the story in motion.
Rising Action: Develops the conflict.
Climax: The turning point of the story.
Falling Action: Moves toward resolution.
Resolution: The story concludes.
Short stories will have these elements.
Characters
Setting
Plot
Conflict
Point of view
Theme
What is a dynamic character?
characters that change throughout the course of the narrative
a dynamic character experiences a transformation and/or learns a valuable life lesson
What are the type of conflcits?
Character vs. Character: between two characters.
Character vs. Self: within a character.
Character vs. Nature: against natural forces.
Character vs. Society: against societal norms or rules.
Character vs. Fate: against destiny or higher powers.
What are the four points of view we studied?
Limited
Omniscient
1st
3rd