Elements of Literature

Grade 10 Englishby Britt Hainstock

EDU 653

Elements of Literature

The elements of literature can be found in every story ever told.

But what are they?

Elements of LiteratureThings, parts, orways to discussa whole.

Books, movies,

plays, or any story.

SettingThe total environment for the story.

When? Time of day, month, season, year, era…

Where? Outdoors/indoors, town, city, country…

Social Climate? WWII, civil riots, plague…

Setting

Day time

School parking lot

Before School

A windy day

In Canada

CharacterThe people in a

story. Characters can be:

HumanAnimalAlienObjectOther

Protagonist: The character with whom the reader empathizes. (Hero)Antagonist: The character who is somehow against the protagonist.

Character

ProtagonistAntagonist

ConflictThe problem or struggle between two

opposing forces. Conflict is always person vs. something.

• Person vs. Person• Person vs. Self• Person vs. Nature• Person vs. Society• Person vs. Fate

Conflict

Person vs. Person

PlotPlot is the sequence of actions or events in a story.

Rising Action: The story builds up

Climax: The highest point

of the storyFalling Action:

The story winds down

Resolution: The new norm is

established

Rising Action: The story builds

up to the climax Clim

ax

ClimaxThe point in the plot of highest emotional response.What actions have been building towards.

Falling Action: The story winds

downto the resolution

Climax

Resolution

ResolutionThe plot point at which the conflict is solved or put to

rest.These two are no longer fighting.

ThemeThe theme is the main idea or message about life the author wishes to express. Could be the moral or “point” of the

story.Should be summarized into one

sentence maximum.

Theme

Cooperation requires less energy than fighting.

We can all get along.

Friendship is important.

Peace is possible.We are all the same.

Conclusion

Now that you know about the elements of literature, be prepared

to discuss them in class.

Credits

All images by Britt Hainstock.

Special thanks to Murray and Curtis.