A Guide to Literary Elements

Theme

Theme is the main subject, idea of a book. All of the events of a text will relate back to the theme of the text. Finding theme is very important to the understanding of a text. The theme of the text is what the author wants you to walk away with, and what they feel is the most important message of the text.

Point Of View

Point of view is a way of looking at things. There are four points of view that a story can be told from. First person point of view is when the person telling the story is telling what they see. Second person point of view is the story being told to you by an observer who is part of the story from a he or she perspective. Third person limited point of view is the story is being told by a outside person from a he or she perspective. Third person Omniscient is told from the perspective from a outside person but they also have access to all of the characters thoughts.

Setting

Setting is where and when a story takes place. Setting also changes along with the characters, if they move the setting moves with them. Understanding setting is very important because peoples surroundings affect what they do and how they react to certain things.

Plot

The plot is the pattern of events in a story. Stories will have a rising action that leads to the turning point, and from there it starts to tie together till it comes to a climax where the problems tie together to a resolution.

Characters

Characters are the people, animals, or whatever the story is being based off the actions of. The main character being the focus point of the story. Character traits are the things about the characters that make them do and say the things they do.

Follow up

Watch the video on the next slide to review what you know and possibly get a better understanding