Elements of Literature

Basic Elements

100

One of the people or animals in a story.

Character

200

The person or force that works against the hero/main character in the story.

Antagonist

300

The main character in a story, often a good or heroic type.

Protagonist

400

The place and time frame in which a story takes place.

Setting

500

The action that makes up the story, following a plan called the plot line.

Plot

Point of View

100

The angle by which a story is told. The angle depends upon the narrator, or person telling the story.

Point of View

200

One of the characters in the story is telling the story. (I, me)

First-Person Point of View

300

You are part of the story because you are a character in the story. (you, your)

Second-Person Point of View

400

When the narrator shares the thoughts and feelings of two or more characters. (all, everything)

Third-Person Omniscient 

500

Third-Person point of view that allows the narrator to share the thoughts and feelings of only one character.

Third-Person Limited Omniscient

Plot

100

This introduces characters and settings while supplying background and setting the tone.

Exposition

200

This introduces problems which build suspense and is when the plot "thickens."

Rising Action

300

This is the turning point of the story and the moment when the suspense reaches its peak which results in a change for the main character. 

Climax

400

This occurs after the climax of the story, as suspense goes down.

Falling Action

500

This is the final ending of the story, where problems are solved or saved for a new story.

Conclusion

Literary Devices

100

This is when a comparison is made using "like" or "as"

Simile

200

This is when a comparison is made without using "like" or "as", or is a direct comparison.

Metaphor

300

This is when a word is written to mimic a sound

Onomatopoeia

400

This is when an object is written to act like a person.

Personification

500

This is when multiple sounds are placed together in a row.

Alliteration