literary elements the foundations of literature. literary elements: diction and dialect dialect is...

Literary ElementsLiterary Elements

The foundations of literatureThe foundations of literature

Literary elements: Diction and Literary elements: Diction and DialectDialect

Dialect is variation of a given language spoken Dialect is variation of a given language spoken in a particular place or by a particular group of in a particular place or by a particular group of people. A dialect is distinguished by its people. A dialect is distinguished by its vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.

If we’re only talking about pronunciation, we If we’re only talking about pronunciation, we usually use the term “accent.” usually use the term “accent.”

Dialect is applied most often to regional Dialect is applied most often to regional speech patterns, but a dialect may also be speech patterns, but a dialect may also be defined by other factors, such as social class. defined by other factors, such as social class.

Diction involves a writer’s selection of Diction involves a writer’s selection of language. language. Diction may be described as formal or informal, Diction may be described as formal or informal, abstract or concrete, figurative or literal.abstract or concrete, figurative or literal.

Literary elements: ThemeLiterary elements: Theme Theme is what is revealed about human life Theme is what is revealed about human life

or human nature. It reveals something that or human nature. It reveals something that we can often relate to.we can often relate to.

Although it is usually unstated, it gives a Although it is usually unstated, it gives a story meaning.story meaning.

Theme can reveal an author’s whole view of Theme can reveal an author’s whole view of life.life.

Theme is not a story’s plot or the story’s Theme is not a story’s plot or the story’s subject: It is an idea.subject: It is an idea.

It gives us insight into some aspect of life we It gives us insight into some aspect of life we have never really thought about before, or it have never really thought about before, or it may make us understand on an emotional may make us understand on an emotional level.level.

Literary elements: ThemeLiterary elements: Theme General guidelines for discovering theme:General guidelines for discovering theme:

– When writing about theme, we must use at least one When writing about theme, we must use at least one complete sentence to state a theme, rather than just a complete sentence to state a theme, rather than just a phrase, such as “the joy of childhood.”phrase, such as “the joy of childhood.”

– A theme is not the same as a moral. So ask yourself, A theme is not the same as a moral. So ask yourself, “What does this story reveal?” rather than “What does “What does this story reveal?” rather than “What does this story teach?”this story teach?”

– One way to determine a theme is to ask how the main One way to determine a theme is to ask how the main character (protagonist) changes during the story.character (protagonist) changes during the story.

– Also, consider the story’s title. It often will hint at the Also, consider the story’s title. It often will hint at the meaning of the story.meaning of the story.

– A theme should not refer to specific characters or events A theme should not refer to specific characters or events in a story. It should be something about life or human in a story. It should be something about life or human nature that is general enough for the reader to relate to.nature that is general enough for the reader to relate to.

– Theme should explain the whole story, not just a part of Theme should explain the whole story, not just a part of it.it.

Literary elements: Literary elements: Symbolism and settingSymbolism and setting

Setting: particular time, environment, and place in which Setting: particular time, environment, and place in which events occur.events occur.

Symbols used in literature are objects used to represent other Symbols used in literature are objects used to represent other things or ideas. Setting often serves as a symbol.things or ideas. Setting often serves as a symbol.

Authors include symbolism in their stories to give the stories Authors include symbolism in their stories to give the stories deeper meaning: objects, people, places, or events that stand deeper meaning: objects, people, places, or events that stand for something broader than themselves, such as an idea or for something broader than themselves, such as an idea or emotion.emotion.

Symbols are all around us: Symbols are all around us: – Hearts symbolize love, caring.Hearts symbolize love, caring.– The American flag symbolizes the United States of America.The American flag symbolizes the United States of America.– The Trojan Head downstairs symbolizes pride and strength.The Trojan Head downstairs symbolizes pride and strength.

Literary elements: IronyLiterary elements: Irony

Irony is the contrast between what is Irony is the contrast between what is expected and what actually exists or expected and what actually exists or happens. Three types of irony include:happens. Three types of irony include:

1.1. Situational irony: the contrast between what Situational irony: the contrast between what a character or the reader expects to happen a character or the reader expects to happen and what actually happens.and what actually happens.

2.2. Verbal irony: occurs when someone says one Verbal irony: occurs when someone says one thing but means another (a common form is thing but means another (a common form is sarcasm).sarcasm).

3.3. Dramatic irony: the contrast between what a Dramatic irony: the contrast between what a character knows and what the reader or character knows and what the reader or audience knows.audience knows.

Literary elements: IronyLiterary elements: Irony Verbal ironyVerbal irony

– In “The Lottery” Old Man Warner says, “The next thing In “The Lottery” Old Man Warner says, “The next thing you know people will want to go back to living in caves.”you know people will want to go back to living in caves.”

– The irony in that statement is that Warner thinks without The irony in that statement is that Warner thinks without the lottery, people will become primitive – even though the lottery, people will become primitive – even though the lottery is as primitive of a ritual as there is.the lottery is as primitive of a ritual as there is.

Situational ironySituational irony– The lottery is conducted on a bright, sunny day by a man The lottery is conducted on a bright, sunny day by a man

named Summers. However, this effervescent setting named Summers. However, this effervescent setting belies the dark task of the day and the dark side of human belies the dark task of the day and the dark side of human nature.nature.

Dramatic ironyDramatic irony– The characters know that the “winner” of the lottery is The characters know that the “winner” of the lottery is

actually the loser. The reader doesn’t know this until the actually the loser. The reader doesn’t know this until the first stone is thrown.first stone is thrown.

Literary elementsLiterary elements

Suspense: Suspense:

The element of plot that makes the The element of plot that makes the reader want to read on to find out reader want to read on to find out what happens. The reader usually what happens. The reader usually experiences suspense when he or experiences suspense when he or she is worried about whether a she is worried about whether a character will succeed in overcoming character will succeed in overcoming conflict. Setting often helps establish conflict. Setting often helps establish suspense.suspense.


Tone: Tone:

The attitude the writer takes toward The attitude the writer takes toward the subject he or she is writing about. Just the subject he or she is writing about. Just as we reveal our attitude by our tone of as we reveal our attitude by our tone of voice when we are speaking, so writers voice when we are speaking, so writers show their attitude (tone) by their writing show their attitude (tone) by their writing style. A tone can be pessimistic, optimistic, style. A tone can be pessimistic, optimistic, earnest, serious, bitter, humorous, joyful, earnest, serious, bitter, humorous, joyful, melancholy, nostalgic, etc. melancholy, nostalgic, etc.


Tone can often help determine mood:Tone can often help determine mood:

Mood is the climate of Mood is the climate of feelingfeeling in a literary in a literary work. The choice of setting, objects, details, work. The choice of setting, objects, details, images, and words all contribute toward creating images, and words all contribute toward creating a specific mood. For example, the moods evoked a specific mood. For example, the moods evoked by the more popular short stories of Edgar Allen by the more popular short stories of Edgar Allen Poe tend to be gloomy, horrific, and desperate. Poe tend to be gloomy, horrific, and desperate.

An author may create a An author may create a moodmood of mystery of mystery around a character or setting but may treat that around a character or setting but may treat that character or setting in an ironic, serious, or character or setting in an ironic, serious, or humorous humorous tone.tone.

Literary elements: Figurative Literary elements: Figurative languagelanguage

Whenever you describe something by Whenever you describe something by comparing it with something else, comparing it with something else, you are using figurative language. you are using figurative language. Any language that goes beyond the Any language that goes beyond the literal meaning of words in order to literal meaning of words in order to furnish new effects or fresh insights furnish new effects or fresh insights into an idea or a subject. Three into an idea or a subject. Three common figures of speech are common figures of speech are personification, simile, and metaphor.personification, simile, and metaphor.

Literary Elements: Figurative Literary Elements: Figurative languagelanguage

SimileSimileA figure of speech which involves a direct A figure of speech which involves a direct comparison between two unlike things, usually comparison between two unlike things, usually with the words like or as. with the words like or as.

Example: He threw baseballs as if they were Example: He threw baseballs as if they were bullets.bullets.

The wheat field lies like liquid gold.The wheat field lies like liquid gold. MetaphorMetaphor

A figure of speech which involves an implied A figure of speech which involves an implied comparison between two relatively unlike things. comparison between two relatively unlike things. The comparison is not announced by like or as.The comparison is not announced by like or as. Example: The road was a ribbon of moonlight.Example: The road was a ribbon of moonlight.

Literary elements: Figurative Literary elements: Figurative languagelanguage

PersonificationA figure of speech which gives the qualities of a person to an animal, an object, or an idea. It is a comparison which the author uses to show something in an entirely new light, to communicate a certain feeling or attitude towards it and to control the way a reader perceives it. Example: The brave, handsome brute fell with a creaking rending cry (the author is giving a tree human qualities).

Literary Elements: Literary Elements: ForeshadowingForeshadowing

Foreshadowing employs hints given Foreshadowing employs hints given by the writer about something that by the writer about something that will happen later in the story.will happen later in the story.

Foreshadowing increases the Foreshadowing increases the reader’s feeling of suspense: the reader’s feeling of suspense: the excitement or tension that readers excitement or tension that readers feel as they get involved in a story feel as they get involved in a story and become eager to know the and become eager to know the outcome.outcome.

Literary elements: Literary elements: FlashbackFlashback

A flashback is an account of a A flashback is an account of a conversation, episode, or event that conversation, episode, or event that happened before the beginning of a happened before the beginning of a story.story.

It often interrupts the chronological It often interrupts the chronological flow of a story to give information flow of a story to give information that can help readers understand a that can help readers understand a character’s present situation.character’s present situation.

Literary elements: Literary elements: CharacterizationCharacterization

CharactersCharacters: The people (or animals) : The people (or animals) who take part in the action of a story.who take part in the action of a story.

CharacterizationCharacterization: The ways a writer : The ways a writer develops the characters; means of develops the characters; means of demonstrating who the character is.demonstrating who the character is.


In order to have a full understanding In order to have a full understanding of the characters in a story, we may of the characters in a story, we may need a variety of information:need a variety of information:– Physical descriptionsPhysical descriptions– Past history or experiencesPast history or experiences– Interactions with other peopleInteractions with other people– Personality traitsPersonality traits


This information can be provided in two This information can be provided in two ways:ways:

1. 1. Directly:Directly: The author The author tellstells what the what the character is like, usually through description character is like, usually through description and simple statements.and simple statements.

2. 2. Indirectly:Indirectly: The author The author showsshows what the what the character is like; implies facts about the character is like; implies facts about the character through showing the character in character through showing the character in his or her surroundings, allowing the his or her surroundings, allowing the character to demonstrate his or her character to demonstrate his or her characteristics.characteristics.


In the indirect method, some devices In the indirect method, some devices include:include:– Other characters’ comments and reactions to the Other characters’ comments and reactions to the

main charactermain character– The main character’s actionsThe main character’s actions– Dialogue with other charactersDialogue with other characters– Interaction with other charactersInteraction with other characters– The main character’s reaction to events and The main character’s reaction to events and

surroundingssurroundings Often, a combination of direct and indirect Often, a combination of direct and indirect

methods is used.methods is used.


Whether characters in a story are real Whether characters in a story are real or imagined, they should possess or imagined, they should possess certain basic qualities that make them certain basic qualities that make them believable and interesting.believable and interesting.– Characters are not “all good” or “all bad.”Characters are not “all good” or “all bad.”– Characters are consistent in their actions.Characters are consistent in their actions.– Characters are clearly motivated, with Characters are clearly motivated, with

understandable reasoning.understandable reasoning.– If there is a change in their actions, there If there is a change in their actions, there

is a reason behind it.is a reason behind it.


Characters that changeCharacters that changeGenerally, one or more of a story’s characters Generally, one or more of a story’s characters change as a result of the events of the story.change as a result of the events of the story.

A character who grows emotionally, learns a A character who grows emotionally, learns a lesson, or alters his or her behavior is called a lesson, or alters his or her behavior is called a dynamicdynamic character. This fully developed character. This fully developed character is a “round” character: Jerry from character is a “round” character: Jerry from “Through The Tunnel”“Through The Tunnel”

A character who is simple, who remains A character who is simple, who remains unchanged throughout a story, is known as a unchanged throughout a story, is known as a staticstatic character, or “flat” character: Lennie character, or “flat” character: Lennie from from Of Mice and MenOf Mice and Men..

Literary elements: Extended Literary elements: Extended metaphormetaphor

Review: MetaphorReview: MetaphorA figure of speech which involves an A figure of speech which involves an implied comparison between two relatively implied comparison between two relatively unlike things. The comparison is not unlike things. The comparison is not announced by like or as.announced by like or as.

An An extended metaphorextended metaphor carries the carries the comparison another step and extends it comparison another step and extends it through your writing. It often includes through your writing. It often includes metaphors and similes.metaphors and similes.


Let’s think of one comparing writing to playing basketball. Let’s think of one comparing writing to playing basketball. Start by listing all the basketball words you can think of to Start by listing all the basketball words you can think of to see how they could be used in a comparison:see how they could be used in a comparison:

dribbledribble jump shotjump shot three-pointerthree-pointerfoulfoul free throwfree throw time outtime outrefereereferee camping in the lanecamping in the lane netnetshootshoot bounce passbounce pass half-timehalf-timewarm-upswarm-ups equipmentequipment reboundrebounddefensedefense offenseoffense assistassistgoal tendinggoal tending slam dunkslam dunk swishswishpickpick technicaltechnical stealsteal


Then write: Then write: For me, writing is like playing For me, writing is like playing

basketball. As I prepare for practice, I basketball. As I prepare for practice, I gather my equipment: a pencil, pad gather my equipment: a pencil, pad of paper, a dictionary, and a Diet of paper, a dictionary, and a Diet Coke. My warm-ups include doodling Coke. My warm-ups include doodling on the edge of the paper while I on the edge of the paper while I contemplate what to write. When my contemplate what to write. When my mind is sufficiently stretched, I begin mind is sufficiently stretched, I begin writing.writing.


The words start in my head and The words start in my head and dribble down my arm, through my dribble down my arm, through my pencil, and onto the page. It isn’t pencil, and onto the page. It isn’t always smooth: Sometimes, I get a fast always smooth: Sometimes, I get a fast break, and the words come faster than I break, and the words come faster than I can write them down. Other times, I can write them down. Other times, I throw the ball away, writing in a throw the ball away, writing in a direction that doesn’t match my topic. direction that doesn’t match my topic. Then I take a time-out and drink my Then I take a time-out and drink my Diet Coke.Diet Coke.

Literary element: Point of Literary element: Point of ViewView

The vantage point from which a story is The vantage point from which a story is told.told.– First person: told by one of the characters in First person: told by one of the characters in

his or her own words. his or her own words. – Third person: told by someone not in the story. Third person: told by someone not in the story.

A narrator who is not a character describes the A narrator who is not a character describes the events and characters. One version of third events and characters. One version of third person is called person is called third-person omniscientthird-person omniscient: the : the narrator is “all-knowing” and can see into the narrator is “all-knowing” and can see into the minds of all the characters, providing the most minds of all the characters, providing the most information possible.information possible.

Literary Element: Point of Literary Element: Point of ViewView

Effects of using different points of view:Effects of using different points of view:– First person: more limited (only view of one First person: more limited (only view of one

character); more subjective (told as one person character); more subjective (told as one person sees it, which may not be as it really is); more sees it, which may not be as it really is); more personal (goes deeper into the mind and personal (goes deeper into the mind and emotions of one specific character).emotions of one specific character).

– Third person: more complete (can look into any Third person: more complete (can look into any character’s thoughts, views, emotions); told character’s thoughts, views, emotions); told from a variety of perspectives (truer picture); from a variety of perspectives (truer picture); less development on one specific character less development on one specific character (development of many characters)(development of many characters)

Literary elements: ConflictLiterary elements: Conflict

Most stories are built around a central Most stories are built around a central conflict or struggle between opposing conflict or struggle between opposing forces.forces.

The five basic forms of conflict are person The five basic forms of conflict are person versus person; person versus self; person versus person; person versus self; person versus nature; person versus society; versus nature; person versus society; person versus a supernatural force.person versus a supernatural force.

Literary Elements: ConflictLiterary Elements: Conflict

Conflict is also seen as:Conflict is also seen as:– Internal: occurs inside the character (fear, Internal: occurs inside the character (fear,

doubt, confusion, guilt)doubt, confusion, guilt)– External: the character is pitted against External: the character is pitted against

another character, outside force (such as another character, outside force (such as nature) a physical obstacle, even a nature) a physical obstacle, even a supernatural forcesupernatural force

Usually, there is one central conflict in a Usually, there is one central conflict in a story, but many stories have more than story, but many stories have more than one struggle.one struggle.

Literary elements: AllusionLiterary elements: Allusion Review:Review: An An allusionallusion is a brief reference to a person, is a brief reference to a person,

event, place, or phrase outside of a story event, place, or phrase outside of a story that the writer assumes the reader will that the writer assumes the reader will recognize. recognize.

An allusive reference can be real or fictional.An allusive reference can be real or fictional. A literary allusion refers to another written A literary allusion refers to another written

work, art piece, book, etc.work, art piece, book, etc.

Literary elements: PlotLiterary elements: Plot

Plot is the chain of related events that take place Plot is the chain of related events that take place in a story. A plot is almost always built around in a story. A plot is almost always built around conflict. Most plots include these stages of conflict. Most plots include these stages of development:development:

Exposition: includes background about Exposition: includes background about characters, conflict, and setting.characters, conflict, and setting.

Rising action: suspense builds because Rising action: suspense builds because complications arise that make the conflict more complications arise that make the conflict more difficult for the main character(s) to resolve.difficult for the main character(s) to resolve.

Climax: the turning point of the action, when the Climax: the turning point of the action, when the reader’s interest reaches its highest point.reader’s interest reaches its highest point.

Falling action and resolution: The conflict ends Falling action and resolution: The conflict ends and loose ends are tied up.and loose ends are tied up.

literary elements the foundations of literature. literary elements: diction and dialect dialect is...

Documents

irony irony

theme theme

dramatic irony dramatic

types of irony

dialect dialect

theme general guidelines

human life

literary elements suspense