Literary Elements Flashcards

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Plot

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The sequence of events that make up a story. It's what happens, from beginning to end.

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Character

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A person, animal, or being who takes part in the action of a story.

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Setting

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The time and place in which a story occurs.

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Conflict

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The central struggle or problem between opposing forces that drives the plot. Common types include:

Character vs. Character,

Character vs. Self,

Character vs. Nature,

Character vs. Society.

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Theme

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The central message, moral, or underlying idea of a story. It's a universal truth or observation about life that the author shows to the reader.

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Point of View (POV)

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The perspective from which the story is told.

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Protagonist

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The main character of the story. The plot is centered around this character's experiences and decisions.

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Antagonist

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The character or force that opposes the protagonist, creating the main conflict.

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Tone

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The author's attitude toward the subject or the audience. It is conveyed through word choice and writing style (e.g., serious, sarcastic, humorous, formal).

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Mood

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The atmosphere or feeling that the story evokes in the reader. The setting, imagery, and tone all contribute to the mood (e.g., suspenseful, cheerful, mysterious).