Review of Literary Elements

Character: person or animal that takes part in the action, usually changes in some way as a result of whatever happens in story. Characterization: developing a character Direct Characterization: author tells reader what kind of person the character is Indirect Characterization: author gives clues to help reader figure out what kind of person a character is by describing what they say and do. Protagonist: main character Antagonist: character in opposition or conflict with protagonist (“bad guy”)

Setting: location where story takes place, including physical place, time, culture, and other descriptive factors.

Conflict: struggle between opposing forces. Characters in conflict are what stories and plays are about – what happens as a result of the conflict makes up the story. External conflict: character against an outside force (nature, another character, society’s expectations, prejudice, etc) Internal conflict: character against him or her self, struggling to make a decision about something

Plot: what happens in the story, usually involves characters and conflict. Rising Action: everything leading up to the climax Climax: high point of interest or suspense Falling Action: everything after the climax up to the resolution Resolution: conflict resolved and change or insight is clarified

Narrator: someone who tells a story. Can be someone in the story (a character, first person) or not (outside speaker, third person). Determines Point of View (PoV) of story. First Person Narrator/PoV: can be major or minor character, or even just a witness, but must be someone in the story. Readers see/hear/experience only what the narrator can. Omniscient Third Person Narrator/PoV: a voice outside the story tells the story and can tell the reader what everyone involved is seeing, hearing, experiencing, and thinking. (all knowing) Limited Third Person Narrator: a voice outside the story tells the story and can tell the reader what one character is seeing, hearing, experiencing, and thinking. (not all knowing)

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