Literary Elements

Literary Elements

The main character in the story that faces a conflict. The reader/audience roots for this character to be successful.  Often, but not always, the “hero” of the story.

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This is our hero

Protagonist

Open Ended

Give me an example of a Protagonist

Someone or something that is against the protagonist. It poses the conflict for the protagonist.

The Joker is always trying to stop The Batman

Antagonist

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of an Antagonist?

• The Guards in "Night"

• Elie Wiesel in "Night"

• Ronald Weasley

• Frodo Baggins

The dominant emotion created in the reader by a literary passage; a feeling or atmosphere that  a reader senses while reading or listening to a 

work of literature. (mood can be created by word choice, tone, setting, internal monologue,  description, rhythm of language, pacing, repetition, etc.)

​Some text here about the topic of discussion.

Mood

​Some text here about the topic of discussion.

Symbolism

A symbol is a word (person, place, object, or  action) that has meaning in itself but is  used to represent or stand for something else as well. The color green may symbolize greed or 

envy. Spring may symbolize re-birth or "new life.”

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A reference to a famous person, place, event  or work of literature,

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for ex. “That boy is as strong as Hercules.”

​Allusion

Multiple Choice

What is this an example of?

• Mood

• Allusion

• Symbolism

Multiple Choice

T Swift's (Taylor Swift) song 'Romeo' is a reference to which Literary Element

• Allusion

• Mood

• Symbol

Words or details that appeal to the senses and cause a scene to flash before the reader’s eyes. Imagery appeals to the senses. 

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​Imagery

When an inanimate object is given 

human characteristics, for ex. “The wind whistled

in the trees.”, “The chair sighed under my weight.”

Personification

Point of View

Who is telling the story. We find the  point-of-view by asking “Who is the narrator?”

The narrator is a character in the story telling the story in his or her own words. The first person pronouns “I”, “me”, “we”, “us” are used.  The reader knows one character’s thoughts (narrator).

First Person

The narrator knows and shares the thoughts and ideas of one character.

Third Person Limited

The narrator does not share the thoughts or ideas of any characters. This narrator only reports on what can be seen or heard. 

​​Third Person Dramatic

The narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of more than one character.

Third Person Omniscient

The writer’s hints and clues about what is going to happen later in the story.

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Foreshadowing

An exaggerated statement used for effect; for

      -- ex. “It’s raining cats and dogs.” or “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.”

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Hyperbole

False or misleading information to present a point-of-view. Name-calling, snob appeal, bandwagon.

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Propaganda

The author’s attitude toward his or her subject. The author’s tone may be serious, sarcastic, playful, objective, regretful, mournful, etc.

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Tone