Literary Elements

The time and place of a story. Ex. "We were at the beach on a summer day."

• Motif

• Suspense

• Setting

• Narration

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

The most intense, exciting, or important point of something; a culmination or apex. Ex. When Little Red Riding Hood comments on the wolf's nose, eyes, ears, and teeth, and he responds by swallowing her in one big gulp.

• Flashbacks

• Narration

• Theme

• Climax

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Sequence of events in a story. Ex. "First, Jack went out to sell the cow, and then he bought some magic beans. After that, Jack's mom got mad and threw the beans out the window."

• Motif

• Protagonist

• Setting

• Plot

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

A person (or animal) in a story. Ex. Harry Potter, Lord Voldemort, Ron Weasley, etc.

• Mood

• Antagonist

• Character

• Conflict

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

A recurring theme, subject or idea. Ex. An author frequently touching on dark vs. light or good versus evil. A candle could represent a light in darkness, or storm clouds could represent temporary darkness.

• Plot

• Setting

• Motif

• Theme

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

A person who actively opposes or is hostile to someone or something; an adversary. Ex. Draco Malfoy, the Joker, the White Witch, Captain Hook.

• Mood

• Protagonist

• Motif

• Antagonist

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Main character of a story. Ex. Simba, Elsa, Ariel (Little Mermaid), Cinderella, Pocahontas, Wreck it Ralph.

• Setting

• Protagonist

• Motif

• Plot

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

A struggle between opposing forces. Ex. person against person, person against nature, person against self, person against society, person vs. technology, person vs. supernatural.

• Antagonist

• Motif

• Conflict

• Character

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

The subject of a talk, a piece of writing, a person's thoughts, or an exhibition; a topic. Ex. The _________ of the Lion King is that life is constantly changing, using the motif of the circle of life. One day you're born, then you're a child, then you fly the nest and become an adult, then you become a parent yourself, and the circle starts all over again.

• Suspense

• Genre

• Climax

• Theme

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

The act of creating and developing a character. Ex. "Joe was motivated by money. He had no use for love or family."

• Characterization

• Narration

• Foreshadowing

• Protagonist

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.3