Students will learn about common literary elements, such as setting, character, plot, theme, and point of view, and how to analyze them in literature.
Analyzing Literature: Literary Elements
Literary elements are the building blocks of literature. They are the tools the author uses to create a story or poem. Some of these elements include plot, character, setting, theme, point of view, and conflict.
Plot is the sequence of events that make up a story. It includes the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
What is plot?
*Sequence; Elements; Analysis
Character refers to the people, animals, or other creatures who populate a story. They can be the protagonist (main character), antagonist (opposing character), or supporting characters.
What are characters?
*People; Plot; Settings
Setting is the time and place in which a story takes place. It can include the physical environment, as well as the social and historical context.
What is setting?
*Time and place; Characters; Theme
Theme is the underlying message or meaning in a story. It is what the author wants the reader to take away from the story.
What is theme?
*Message; Exposition; Character
Point of view is the perspective from which a story is told. It can be first person (I, we), second person (you), or third person (he, she, they).
What is point of view?
*Perspective; Theme; Conflict
Conflict is the struggle or problem faced by the characters in a story. It can be internal (within the character) or external (with another character, society, or nature).
What is conflict?
*Struggle; Plot; Setting