wwNa Eduardo Hartz Period: 6 Date: 9/20

me:

Notes: Literary Elements

1. The 1st column names the element
2. The 2nd column provides a picture representing the element
3. The 3rd column defines the element
4. The 4th column gives an example of the element

Literary Element Visual Representations Definition Example

Plot & Conflict  Plot = series of events that make a story;  Character vs. Character
includes conflict o Harry Potter vs. Voldemort
 Conflict = A struggle between protagonist  Character vs. Society
& antagonist o Shrek vs. Society’s Prejudice
o Protagonist = main character  Character vs. Nature
o Antagonist = obstacle protagonist o Frodo vs. Snowstorm
must overcome  Character vs. Self
 External = problem outside of o Rapunzel vs. Her Guilt
protagonist’s mind
o Character vs. Character
o Character vs. Society
o Character vs. Nature
 Internal = problem within protagonist’s
mind
o Character vs. Self
o Trouble with...
 taking action
 making decisions
 overcoming feelings
Characterization  Defined: The methods the author uses to  Round Character
develop a character o Harry potter
 Character Types:  Flat Character
o Direct = Gives a concrete o Harry potters uncle
description  Dynamic Character
o Indirect = You must infer their o Puss & boots
traits  Static Character
o Round = Complex, show range of o That 1 squirl
 emotion. Weaknesses and  Physical Appearance
Strengths, main character. o Apu from Simpsons
o Flat = Defined by only one or 2 (stereotyped)
traits, stereotype or stock  Actions
characters, don’t grow or change,  Internal Thoughts
minor characters o Elsa, she doesn't know what
o Dynamic = Personality changes to do
significantly by the end of story  Reactions to the Character
o Static = Personality stays relatively o SpongeBob; ppl hate him
the same.  Speech
 Inferring character traits: use PAIRS o ___
o P = Physical appearance
 Beware stereotypes
because they can be bad
o A = Actions of characters
 1. How do they choose to
act in a certain situation
 2. How to they react to
life's situations
 3. How do they treat
others
 4. Do they make sacrifices?
 5. Do they do things
differently from what
society expects from
them?
o I = Internal Thoughts
 Themself & them
 Internal conflict =
Character vs Self
 1st person = Everything is
internal thought
o R = Reactions to the character
 How others react to the
character
 Compare reactions to
internal thoughts
o S = Speech
 1. Culture
  2. Time period
 3. Social Status
 4. Age
Setting and Mood SETTING: 
 The setting of a story is the time and place
in which the action occurs
 It is important because it can help us
imagine the story and feel like we're really
there. Setting can also impact the mood of
a story
 For example, a spooky forest might make
us feel scared, while a sunny beach might
make us feel happy.
 Can be about social conditions, a time in
history, or weather
 Inferences = conclusions reached on the
basis of evidence and reasoning
 Setting details = the specifics that make up
the whole setting
 Comparison = a consideration or estimate
of the similarities or dissimilarities
between two things or people


Description:
 One of the most straightforward ways to
reveal the setting through descriptive
language. By describing the physical
surroundings, the writer can create a vivid
picture in the reader's mind
Character Actions:
 Another way to reveal setting thru the
actions of characters
Dialog:
 Characters can reveal their setting thru
dialog
Historical Context
 Sometimes the setting can be revealed
thru the historical or cultural content
--
  Categories can overlap.

MOOD:
 Setting influences the mood
 The mood is the feeling or atmosphere
that a writer creates for readers.
 A mood can be described as exciting,
terrifying, cheerful, or something else
entirely. It is how the writers' words make
us feel.
 The mood is mainly affected by the setting,
imagery, and how characters respond to
what is going on.
 The mood of a story can change over time,
depending on the events that take place
and the emotions that the characters
experience.
 Mood can be influenced by the readers
own experiences and emotions. Different
readers may interpret the same story in
different ways.
 Mood can be used to create tension and
sustense in a story or to evoke a particular
emotional response from the reader
Point of View  
Symbolism  A symbol is a literal object, person, place,  A bleak winter setting = isolation or
or activity that represents an abstract idea death
 A dove could represent love  A small child = innocence
 They help:  A physical challenge = a character’s
o Create thematically appropriate emotional growth
moods  White = innocent and pure
o Provide information about  Black = Evil
characters  ^ could be racist/stereotypical
o Reveal an author's perspective
o Illustrate something about a
work’s historical context
 Symbols can have more then one meaning
and use
 o Renewal
o Destruction
o Survival
o Passion
o Hate
Theme 1. Finding Theme-o NOTES 

 Theme is…
o a view about life and how people
behave
o the central idea, truth, or insight
o a comment on the human
condition


3. What is the human

condition?
o Human Condition = basic questions
about the nature, purpose, and
lives of human beings.

 Examples
 Why is there
suffering in the
world?
 Why do bad things
happen to good
people?
 Why do people think
the way they do?

4 Theme is not... (bad examples

from Finding Nemo)

 Theme is not… expressed in a single

word
 courage
  The theme of the
story is friendship.
NO!

 Theme is not… the subject of a work

 its topic
 The theme of the
story is fish
learning about
acceptance. NO!

 Theme is not… the purpuse of a work

 the reason why it was
written
 The theme of the
story is that the
writer wants
people to know
that family is
important. NO!

 Theme is not… the moral (in advanced

texts)
 telling us what is right or
wrong
 The theme of the
story is that taking
fish from the reef
is bad. NO!

 Theme is not… the conflict

 the problem
 The theme of the
story is that
Marlen must
 rescue his son
Nemo from the
dentist who stole
him. NO!

Subject vs. Theme –

10

What's the difference?

 Subject vs. Theme
o Subject = what a work is about =
one word
 For example, courage is a
subject found in Finding
Nemo.

 Theme: What does the work say about the

subject
o Complete sentence.
 One theme from Pixar's
movie Finding Nemo is
that life is full of exciting
but difficult experiences
that develop people's
courage.

12Developing a Theme
Statement
 Theme Statement Formula:

theme = [statement] + [purpose]

 Key Terms from the formula

o Theme Statement: An argument
about theme that contains its
statement and purpose in the text

o Subject: One word/short phrase
summarizing what the text is
about.

____________________________
____________________________
___________________________

o Purpose: what role does the
subject play in the text? What
happens to the subject?

____________________________
____________________________
____________________________

 15 Theme Statement
Formula:

 Other Examples of Theme Statements

o Family expectations often conflict
with the values of popular culture.
o Personal identity is more
important than family loyalties.
o Conformity is a way to avoid
embarrassment.

 /18 Finding Nemo Examples
Happiness: Despite endless challenges, life is still full of

happy moments.

Courage & Experience : Life is full of exciting but difficult


experiences that develop people’s courage.

Perseverance & Friends: Perseverance is more easily


maintained through the support of encouraging friends.
 

Notes: Writing Elements

5. The 1st column names the element
6. The 2nd column provides a picture representing the element
7. The 3rd column defines the element
8. The 4th column gives an example of the element

Writing Element Visual Representations Definition Example

Selecting Evidence  Seeok out parts of the story that make 
sence towards ur argument
(Video Notes)
Analysys Chunk  Sentence 1  The narrator yells, "Chapita! You’re
o Textual evidence with citation just another Chapita!" (Alvarez 7). Her
 Sentence 2 use of the term "Chapita" to describe
o Explain the meaning of the her father reveals she becomes
evidence outspoken and confrontational when
she feels frustrated and angry. These
 Sentence 3
character traits make her a round and
o Explain why that meaning matters
dynamic character because they hint
in the development of the story at her growing independence and
assertiveness as a teenager.
LACE  It’s a concise method of embedding a  L: Shaw confronts separation from
quoted piece of evidence into a sentence dante as her brooklyn
of tour own creation while ensuring you’ve  LA: Shaw confronts separation from
properly cited the quote and explained itw Dante as her Brooklyn “neighborhood
connection to your thesis rearranged itself” around
 L: Lead in: Create a lead in for the quote  LAC Parenthetical: Shaw confronts
Who is the speaker of this quote? separation from Dante as her Brooklyn
What context/event led to this quote? “neighborhood rearranged itself”
This should be brief, aim for less then a
around her (Reynolds 3).
sentence. Beware summary! If you are
giving more then one sentence of context,
you are probably summarizing
  A: Add a quote as supportive evidence

Select a quote that actually shows the exact

point you want to make

Don’t include extra detail that you could easily

paraphrase

 C: Parenthetical Citation:

Decide if you will use a parenthetical or in-text

citation

Parenthetical: (Name pg)

 E: Explain the meaning of the quote and

why it matters

What is the meaning of this quote?

What is important about this meaning?

Thesis statement  