Literary Elements

1
Literary Elements

• The foundations of literature

2
Literary elements Diction and Dialect

• Dialect is variation of a given language spoken
  in a particular place or by a particular group of
  people. A dialect is distinguished by its
  vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.
• If were only talking about pronunciation, we
  usually use the term accent.
• Dilalect is applied most often to regional speech
  patterns, but a dialect may also be defined by
  other factors, such as social class.
• Diction involves a writers selection of
  language.
• Diction may be described as formal or informal,
  abstract or concrete, figurative or literal.

3
Literary elements Theme

• Theme is what is revealed about human life or
  human nature. It reveals something that we can
  often relate to.
• Although it is usually unstated, it gives a story
  meaning.
• Theme can reveal an authors whole view of life.
• Theme is not a storys plot or the storys
  subject It is an idea.
• It gives us insight into some aspect of life we
  have never really thought about before, or it may
  make us understand on an emotional level.

4
Literary elements Theme

• General guidelines for discovering theme
• We must use at least one complete sentence to
  state a theme, rather than just a phrase, such as
  the joy of childhood.
• A theme is not the same as a moral. So ask
  yourself, What does this story reveal? rather
  than What does this story teach?
• One way to determine a theme is to ask how the
  main character (protagonist) changes during the
  story.
• Also, consider the storys title. It often will
  hint at the meaning of the story.
• A theme should not refer to specific characters
  or events in a story. It should be something
  about life or human nature that is general enough
  for the reader to relate to.
• Theme should explain the whole story, not just a
  part of it.

5
Literary elements Symbolism and setting

• Setting particular time, environment, and place
  in which events occur.
• Symbols used in literature are objects used to
  represent other things or ideas. Setting often
  serves as a symbol.
• Authors include symbolism in their stories to
  give the stories deeper meaning objects, people,
  places, or events that stand for something
  broader than themselves, such as an idea or
  emotion.
• Symbols are all around us
• Hearts symbolize love, caring.
• The American flag symbolizes the United States of
  America.
• The Trojan Head downstairs symbolizes pride and
  strength.

6
Literary elements Irony

• Irony is the contrast between what is expected
  and what actually exists or happens. Three types
  of irony include
• Situational irony the contrast between what a
  character or the reader expects to happen and
  what actually happens.
• Verbal irony occurs when someone says one thing
  but means another (a common form is sarcasm).
• Dramatic irony the contrast between what a
  character knows and what the reader or audience
  knows.