Chapter Six: Literary Elements

Chapter Six. Literary Elements

Literature, of course, goes hand in hand with literary elements and literary devices. Reading for fun allows us to enjoy the various genres without really having to focus on thorough analysis. When we read for educational purpose, naturally, we are taught to view literature differently. However, it is important, I believe, that whether we are reading for fun, or for educational value, it is an advantage to be able to identify a deeper purpose in the author’s choice of words.

Literary Elements

Antagonist- is the character who actively opposes or is hostile to someone or something, especially the main character

Character- a person in a novel, play, or movie

Conflict- involves a struggle between two opposing forces usually a protagonist and an antagonist

Mood and Tone- the identification of the tone and mood in literatures is an important clue to discover the literary’s theme. Considering how the author creates a tone and mood helps the reader understand and appreciate the author’s style

Plot- describes the events that make up a story or the main part of a story. 

Protagonist- this is the good guy, or gal! This is the character whose life we're most concerned with or whose inner life we're given access to. A protagonist is often opposed by an antagonist of some sort, who keeps our main character in conflict until he triumphs over it.

Setting- is the time and place in which the story takes place. It can also include social statuses, weather, historical period, and details about immediate surroundings. Settings can be real or fictional, or a combination of both real and fictional elements.

Themes- a universal idea that a writer repeats in his work, making it the most significant idea in a literary work.

Literary Devices

• Allegory- a story with two levels of meaning. First, there's the surface of the story: the characters and plot, etc. Then there's the symbolic level, or the deeper meaning.
• Allusion-used to reference another object outside of the work of literature. The object can be a real or fictional person, event, quote, or other work of artistic expression
• Archetype-a reoccurring symbol or motif throughout literature that represents universal patterns of human nature.
• Deus ex machine-a rather debatable and often criticized form of literary device. It refers to the incidence where an implausible concept or character is brought into the story in order to make the conflict in the story resolve and to bring about a pleasing solution.
• Hyperbole-uses specific words and phrases that exaggerate and overemphasize the basic crux of the statement in order to produce a grander, more noticeable effect. The purpose of hyperbole is to create a larger-than-life effect and overly stress a specific point.
• Imagery Definition-consists of descriptive language that can function as a way for the reader to better imagine the world of the piece of literature and also add symbolism to the work.
• Metaphor- is a comparison of two unlike objects. One object is used to represent another.
• Motif- is any element, subject, idea or concept that is constantly present through the entire body of literature. Using a motif refers to the repetition of a specific theme dominating the literary work.
• Point of view-the angle of considering things, which shows us the opinion, or feelings of the individuals involved in a situation. It is the mode of narration that an author employs to let the readers “hear” and “see” what takes place in a story, poem, essay etc.
• Simile- makes a comparison, showing similarities between two different things. Unlike a metaphor, a simile draws resemblance with the help of the words “like” or “as”. Therefore, it is a direct comparison.
• Symbolism- means to introduce objects with a certain meaning that is different from their original meaning or function. Other literary devices, such as metaphor, allegory, and allusion, aid in the development of symbolism.

In selecting YA Literature Reads for our classrooms, or our librarians, I believe that a good option to incorporate in these selections is identifying the use of these elements within the books as to expose these young readings to these elements. In doing so, these elements will bring a lot more teaching opportunities so in addition to these young readers benefiting with great plots, they’ll appreciate author’s style and purpose by being able to identify these devices.