Elements of Literature

Short Story Unit

Mrs. Burt’s Language Arts

Characters- The people (or creatures) that a story is

about- Characters can be developed by the author

through descriptions, dialogue, their actions, and the reaction/description from other characters

- Character/Personality Traits:

e.g. smart, funny, loyal, shy, kind- Physical Appearance: what a person looks

like

e.g. hair, face shape, height, eye colour

Types of Characters- Primary (main) character(s): the story

is about this person (this person is found the most)

- Secondary character(s): characters that play a smaller role in the story

(any character that is not a primary character)

- Protagonist: the hero of the story (main character)

- Antagonist: the character who works against the protagonist (vilian/rival)

Setting- WHERE and WHEN a story takes place

- Time: can be specific or more general

- past, present or future

- a certain decade

- specific date or season

- specific time or time period (afternoon)

- Place: can be specific or general (e.g. country, city)

PlotWhat is the story about?What are the major events of the

story (in sequence)?These events lead to the climax of

the story A type of summary of what happens

in the story

Conflict- The problem or struggle that the character

faces- It creates tension and drives the action of the

plot

1)Person vs. Person - an argument or fight or struggle between two characters in the story

2)Person vs. Self – an inner conflict; a struggle within yourself; e.g. fears, anxiety, unsure about a decision

3)Person vs. Nature - a conflict or struggle with nature; animals, the environment, the weather/elements, with God

4)Person vs. Society - a character struggles with the rest of society or the large group; e.g. police, law, government, common beliefs or practices

Theme The main message of a story The central idea or lesson about life a

story conveys(e.g. the whole point of the story or the moral of the story)

Answers the questions “What is the story about?” without describing the plot

Style• a LITERARY DEVICE• Tools and techniques used to write an effective, interesting

story

a)POINT OF VIEW - first person story (“I” or “we”) usually from main character’s point of view or third person story

b)FLASHBACK - taking the reader back to an earlier time

c) FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE - using descriptive language such as similes, metaphors, personifications, alliterations etc.

d)MOOD - the feeling of the story (e.g. Sad, happy, scary, romantic)

e)SYMBOLISM - an object standing for something beyond itself; something that represents something else

f) SENSORY LANGUAGE - your 5 senses are a part of the story

g)FORESHADOWING - giving clues or hints about a future part of the story

h)CHARACTERIZATION - describing a character’s looks, behaviour, personality, emotions, etc.

The End