Literary Elements
What the story is about
main idea / subject
The events in the tory; the storyline itself
plot
The idea or character trait that is common to all of the major events in the story
theme
A comparison of two unlike things using the words like or as
simile
An unlikely comparison, not stated as such
metaphor
The struggle or problem in the story
conflict
The time, place, and circumstances in which the story happens
setting
The perspective from which the story is told
Point of view
An object used to represent a concept
symbol
Describing an inanimate object in terms of human characteristics
personification
The main character; the "good guy"
protagonist
The enemy of the main character; the "bad guy"
antagonist
What is spoken by the characters
dialogue
Subtle hints about events or information that will come later in the text
foreshadowing
A great exaggeration to make a point
hyperbole
Those who carry out the action of the story
characters
The one who tells the story
narrator
POV in which the story is told about the characters, but the narrator knows everything about each of them
third-person omniscient
A speech by one character
monologue
A reference to history, the Bible, or another work of literature or art
allusion
The author's attitude toward the story
tone
The way the reader is meant to feel as he reads the story
mood
A character who changes noticeably during the course of the story
dynamic character
A situation in which the audience (or reader) knows more about the situation than the character(s)
dramatic irony
The result or ending is opposite from what one would expect
situational irony