Textbook Reflections 6-9

Literary Elements

Antagonist:  Character who stands against the main character (protagonist). Usually seen as the “bad guy”.

Character:  Any person, animal or figure who is represented in works of literature.

Conflict:  The opposition that the main character must face in order to achieve their goal.

Mood:  Element that evokes certain feelings in the reader through words or descriptions.  Depends on the reader.

Tone:  Attitude of the writer towards the characters or the readers.  Usually conveyed through the choice of words or viewpoint.

Plot:  Describes the events that make up the main part of the story

Protagonist:  The central character in literary works.  Usually known as the hero to the readers.

Setting: In literature, the time and date a story takes place.  Can include details about the weather and immediate surroundings.

Theme:  The central idea in a work of literature.

Literary Devices

Allegory:  story in which a symbolic meaning is conveyed through characters and plots.

Allusion:  An indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political significance

Archetype:   typical character, an action or a situation that seems to represent such universal patterns of human nature.

Deus ex machina:  The introduction of an unexpected character to solve an intractable problem.

Hyperbole:  Exaggeration of ideas for the sake of emphasis.

Imagery:  use figurative language to represent objects, actions and ideas in such a way that it appeals to our physical sense

Metaphor:  figure of speech which makes an implicit, implied or hidden comparison between two things that are unrelated but share some common characteristics.

Motif:  an image, sound, action or other figures that have a symbolic significance and contributes toward the development of theme.

Point of view:  The mode of narration that an author employs to let the readers “hear” and “see” what takes place in literary work.

Simile:  An explicit comparison between two unlike things through the use of connecting words, usually “like” or “as.

Symbolism:   To imbue objects with a certain meaning that is different from their original meaning or function.  Often used to convey deeper meaning.


Poetry

A format of literature found in many genres.

Children prefer narrative poetry because it tells a story.

Poetry should create imagery.

Does not need to be made childish for child’s enjoyment.

Should be interactive.

Repeated reading of the poem is important.

Historical Fiction

Any story set in the past.

History might be different based on the age of the reader.

Offer the reader the opportunity to live vicariously as they explore what it’s like to be alive during a previous time and place.

Does the author blend the story and the history well?

Are the period facts accurate?

How are the values of the time brought to life?

Is there consistency within the social setting?

Can contemporary readers relate to the theme?