Chapter
7 Literary Elements
Literary
elements and devices are used to evaluate critical thinking and comprehension
of literature. Literary devices or literary techniques can
also be defined as specific structures that writers often use to add meaning or
create more compelling stories for the reader. I like to think of the writing
is the cake and the literary devices and elements is the icing on the cake. Literary elements and devices are techniques
that can give the reader a greater understanding and meaning of the writer’s
intent.
The
antagonist
the person or force that works against the hero of the story. This is the
villain, evil character, or group of characters. The character is the person or animals in the
book. Conflict is A problem or struggle between two opposing forces in a story.
There are four basic conflicts. Person against person is a problem between
characters. Person against self is a problem within a character’s
own mind. Person against society is a problem between a character and society,
school, the law, or some tradition. Last is person against nature
is a problem between a character and some element of nature for example a
blizzard, tornado, or a hurricane. Mood and tone is the feeling the piece of literature
is intended to give the reader. It can be happiness, somber, or love. The plot
is the action that makes up the story, following a plan called the plot line.
The protagonist is the main character in a story, often a good or heroic type.
The setting is when and where the story take place.
Theme is not the main idea, topic, or summary.
Theme is a message stated or suggested by author. It also must be a complete sentence.
It must be a truism that takes place outside the novel in the real world. A
novel can have more than one theme, it must be demonstrated from the text. You
should be able to go into the novel and find evidence. When having discussions with students about
themes of books you should ask the following questions. What message is the author trying to convey
to readers? Is this message universal; does it apply outside of this story to
the world at large?
A literary device is a technique a writer uses
to produce a special effect in their writing. An allegory is a metaphor in which a character, place or
event is used to deliver a broader message about real-world issues and
occurrences. An allusion is A reference to a
well-known person, place, event, literary work, or work of art to enrich the
reading experience by adding meaning. An archetype is the images, patterns, and symbols that rise out of
the collective unconscious and appear in dreams, mythology, and fairy tales.
The literacy device deus ex machina refers to the
circumstance where an implausible concept or a divine character is introduced
into a storyline. The character is introduced to sometimes provide comedic
relief or to move the plot line along. This is also commonly referred to divine
intervention. A hyperbole the use of obvious and deliberate exaggeration.
Hyperbolic statements are often extravagant and not meant to be taken literally.
Imagery consists of descriptive language that can function as a way for the
reader to better imagine the world of the piece of literature and add symbolism
to the work. Imagery uses five senses of
taste, touch, sight, smell, and sound.
When reflecting on this chapter and how it correlates
with young adult literature I was able to connect to chapter 6. Many of these literary
elements and devices are very abstract in thinking. If your students have not developed
the intellectual capacity to think abstractly they will have difficulty with
many of these things. As an educator you must scaffold their learning when
teaching or discussing them. You also want to select books that can help move the
students through these difficult abstract literary elements and devices.
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