Literary Elements in Prose

Learning Competency

At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to

compare and contrast the various 21st-century literary
genres and the ones from the earlier genres/periods,
citing their elements, structures, and traditions (EN12Lit-
1d-25).
 Objectives

At the end of this lesson, the students should be able

to do the following:

● Identify, analyze, and use the elements in prose

including atmosphere in writing, characterization,
conflict, plot, point of view, setting, and theme.
● Use knowledge of the literary elements in writing
prose.
 Warm Up

1. Bring a copy of your favorite novel.

2. Make sure that the cover of the book has a drawing or design.
3. Show your book to the class. Do not say anything about the
story.
4. Ask your classmates to guess the following:
● What is the story all about?
● Who is the main character?
● What is the possible plot or theme of the story?
 Essential Question

How can we use common literary elements to

further enhance the reading and writing of
literary prose?
Unlocking of Difficulty

1. poplar (noun) — a tall tree that grows in cold climate

We saw a lot of poplars when we went to Ireland in the wintertime.
2. turret (noun) — a small tower attached to a larger tower
Some old castles in the British countryside still have their turrets intact.
3. rapture (noun) — a feeling of intense joy
It is difficult to compare anything to the rapture of accomplishing something you’ve
worked on for years.
Unlocking of Difficulty

4. disillusioned (adjective) — extreme disappointment that something/someone

you thought was good turned out to be bad
I became disillusioned when I saw that the singer I liked was mean to his staff.

5. fancy (verb) — to imagine

While on the plane, I passed the time by fancying that I was traveling through a
kingdom of clouds.
Plot

This is the arrangement of

incidents and actions in a story.
A plot does not always have to
be chronological.

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Types of Plot

● Linear. This shows the chronological order of events

that happen in the story.

● Episodic. This is a set of connected incidents that

form a bigger plot.

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Types of Plot

● Parallel. This is a combination of two or more linear

plots that happen simultaneously.

● Circular. This starts and ends in a similar fashion.

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Types of Plot

● In Medias Res. This starts at the middle of the story.

● In Extrema Res. This starts at the end of the story.

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 Learn About It!

● The plot is the sequence of events that make up the story, told
in either a chronological or a non-chronological order.
Elements in a Plot

● Exposition. The initial part of a plot that introduces

the story’s characters, setting, and mood

● Rising Action. The incident or the set of incidents

that leads to the complication

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Elements in a Plot

● Climax. This is the highest point of tension in the

story where the conflict is shown or settled.

● Falling Action. This is the section where the story’s

tension decreases and the other unsettled issues are
solved.

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Elements in a Plot

● Resolution. The denouement or a part of the story

where the main problem is resolved and the end of a
plot is told.

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Conflict

This is the struggle that exists

in the story.

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 Learn About It!

● The problem or challenge faced by the character or characters

in the story is called the conflict.
Types of Conflict

● MAN versus HIMSELF is the struggle between the

protagonist and his or her self.

● MAN versus MAN is the struggle between the

protagonist and another character.

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Types of Conflict

● MAN versus NATURE is the struggle between the

protagonist and natural forces.

● MAN versus THE SUPERNATURAL is the struggle

between the protagonist and someone who has an
ability beyond human nature.

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Types of Conflict

● MAN versus TECHNOLOGY is the struggle between

the protagonist and technology or product of
technology.

● MAN versus SOCIETY is the struggle between the

protagonist and a group of people who belongs to a
social institution.

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 Learn About It!

● The atmosphere in prose refers to the creation of a mood

or feeling by the use of descriptions and setting.

● Characterization in prose refers to how the author

describes the character, either directly or indirectly through
action, using details or nuances to add depth.
 Point of View
This refers to the angle of
narration or the narrator.
The perspective or vantage point
of the speaker or the narrator is
called the point of view.

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Types of Point of View
● First person. This is the main character (or one of
the characters) who narrates the story.
○ There are instances where multiple characters
act as first-person narrators; thus, the concept
of multiple-person point of view emerges.

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Types of Point of View
● Second person. The reader is the focal point of the
narrator’s story.

● Third person. The narrator is an outside observer,

not a character, in the story he or she presents.

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Types of Third-Person Point of View
● Limited. The narrator tells the actions and the
speech of the characters.

● Omniscient. The narrator shares everything about

the characters in the story, including their thoughts
and feelings.

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Character

This can be a person, an

animal, or a personified object
or idea that gives life to the
story.

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Types of Characters

● Protagonist is the main character of the story.

● Antagonist is the character who opposes or

contradicts the main character.

● Deuteragonist is the second most important

character in the story.

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Types of Characters
● Confidante is the character who is a close friend to
the main character.

● Foil is the character who has the traits or

characteristics that contrast the main character’s but is
not the villain in the story.

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Types of Characters

● Love Interest is the character who the main

character has romantic feelings for.

● Tertiary or Background are the characters who are

not directly connected to the main storyline.

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Types of Characters

● Dynamic is a character who changes his or her

personality as the story progresses.

● Static is a character whose personality remains

unchanged as the story continues.

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Types of Characters

● Round is a character who has varied and contrasting

traits.

● Flat is a character who has one personality.

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Writing A character sketch (or a character profile) is a
Tip
detailed description in prose of a character you
imagined. The sketch should contain the
character's backstory, traits, and appearance. It
should also include other important details that
will make the character unique, like his or her
hopes, dreams, or aspirations.

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Setting

This is the time, place, and

conditions in which the story
takes place.

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Types of Setting

● Geographical location. This includes the

topography, scenery, and physical arrangements,
such as the location of the windows and doors in a
room.
● Occupations. This includes the work and the daily
manner of living of the characters.

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Types of Setting

● Time or period. This sets when the action takes

place.
● General environment. This includes religious,
mental, moral, social, and emotional conditions of
the characters.

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Theme

This describes or represents

the unifying idea or statement
of a literary work.

Theme is the central idea of

the story, and to an extent, the
purpose for its utterance.

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 Learn About It!

Literary techniques are used in texts to convey its meaning.

● A flashback is a scene or a passage that interrupts the

present action of a plot to introduce a past event.

● Foreshadowing is the use of clues or indication suggesting

at a future event in the story.
Learn About It!
Learn About It!

A Lady’s Story
Anton Chekhov
 Learn About It!

Guide Questions

1. Recall what you know about the relationship between the

plot and the setting. Explain your answer.
2. Discuss why each is an important part of writing prose:
● Atmosphere
● Characterization
● Theme
1. How do you decide which type of conflict is most
appropriate for your story?
 Learn About It!

4. How do you decide which type of point of view is most

appropriate for your story?

5. In what situation is it best to use literary techniques like:

● Flashback?
● Foreshadowing?
 Analysis

Read the text carefully and answer the following questions.

Cite textual evidence to support your answers.

The Diamond Necklace

Guy de Maupassant
 Analysis

Guide Questions:

1. Summarize the plot of “The Diamond Necklace.” In two to

three sentences each, detail the following:
a. Exposition
b. Rising Action
c. Climax
d. Falling Action
e. Resolution
 Analysis

Guide Questions:

2. Detail how the author illustrated the following:

● Atmosphere
● Characterization
● Theme

3. Which type of point of view did the author use? Was it

the most appropriate type for the story? Why or why not?
 Analysis

Guide Questions:

4. What kind(s) of conflict(s) did the story have (a story can

have more than one)? Explain.

5. Which literary techniques did the author use? Enumerate

examples.
 Analysis

Criteria Score
Content
(The question is answered comprehensively. Textual evidence is
provided to support the given answer.) 2 pts
Organization
(Logical progression of details/events; clear transitions between
ideas.) 2 pts
Language
(spelling, mechanics, grammar and usage) 1 pt

Score: /5
 Values Integration

How does learning about the literary elements and

techniques in prose help you become a better reader
and writer?
Key Points

● Literary elements are used by writers to make a text

interesting to the readers.
● Literary elements can be used to analyze and
understand the text better.
 Synthesis

● Write a short (500 to 1000 words) story.

● Make sure to follow the following parameters:
○ The story must make use of at least five types of
figurative language tackled in Lesson 2.
○ The story must include at least two of the literary
techniques tackled in Lesson 3.
 Synthesis

○ All of the following elements must be present in the story:

■ Plot ■ Theme
■ Atmosphere ■ Point of View
■ Characterization ■ Conflict (one or
■ Setting more types)

○ They make use of at least one of the following:

■ Flashback
■ Foreshadowing
 Synthesis

Answer the following questions on a separate piece of paper:

a. Which types of figurative language did you use for your
work? Why did you choose those types?
b. Which literary techniques did you use for your work? Why
did you choose those techniques?
c. Does knowing about the elements of prose make your story
writing easier or harder? Why or why not?
d. Do you think you would have been able to write a good
story without knowing the elements of prose? Why or why
not?
 Synthesis

Criteria Below expectations Needs improvement Meets expectations Exceeds expectations

1 2 3 4

Content (50%) There are three types of There are four types of There are five types of The five types of figurative
Correct use of sound figurative language (from figurative language (from figurative language (from language (from lesson 2),
devices lesson 2), no literary lesson 2), one literary lesson 2), two literary two literary technique
technique (from lesson 3), technique (from lesson 3), technique (from lesson 3), (from lesson 3), and seven
and five literary elements and six literary elements and seven literary literary elements (from this
(from this lesson) used in (from this lesson) used in elements (from this lesson) lesson) are used several
the story submitted. the story submitted. Only used in the story times in the story
Foreshadowing and one between submitted. Both submitted. Both
flashback are used foreshadowing and foreshadowing and foreshadowing and
incorrectly. There is two flashback is used correctly. flashback are used flashback are used several
answer in the analysis There are three answers in correctly. There are four times correctly. There are
submitted. the analysis submitted. answers in the analysis four answers in the
submitted. analysis submitted.
 Synthesis

Criteria Below expectations Needs improvement Meets expectations Exceeds expectations

1 2 3 4

Organization (25%) The progression of The progression of The progression of The progression of
Logical progression of ideas is disorganized. ideas is somewhat ideas is organized. ideas is well-
details/events; clear Transitions are organized. Transitions Transitions are organized. Transitions
transitions between unclear, making the are somewhat clear, sufficiently clear, are clear and
ideas text almost impossible leading to vague leading to full effective, leading to
to understand. understanding. understanding. full and easy
understanding.

Language (25%) There are four or There are two to There is one language There are no language
Spelling, mechanics, more language errors. three language errors. error. errors.
grammar, and word
usage
 Assignment
1. Search for some short stories in the library or online. Choose
one short story you like.
2. Photocopy or transcribe another copy of the story.
3. On a separate piece of paper from the story, write your own
version of the story. For example, if the story occurs in the past,
they can write how the story would go if it would happen in the
present. Follow the following parameters:
● The story must make use of at least five types of figurative
language tackled in Lesson 2.
● The story must include at least two of the literary techniques
tackled in Lesson 3.
 Assignment
3. All of the following elements must be present in the story:
● Plot
● Atmosphere
● Characterization
● Setting
● Theme
● Point of View
● Conflict (one or more types)
4. They make use of at least one of the following:
● Flashback
● Foreshadowing
 Bibliography

Abrams, M. H., and Geoffrey Galt Harpham. A Glossary of Literary Terms. Stamford, CT:
Cengage Learning, 2015.
Blake, William. "London (excerpt)." Wikisource. Accessed May 4, 2018.
https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/London_(Songs_of_Experience).
Carroll, Lewis. "Jabberwocky (excerpt)." Wikisource. Accessed May 4, 2018.
https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Jabberwocky.
Dickinson, Emily. "A Bird Came Down the Walk (excerpt)." Wikisource. Accessed May 4,
2018. https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/A_Bird_came_down_the_Walk_%E2%80%94.
“Literary Analysis: Using Elements of Literature.” Roane State Community College Online
Writing Lab. Accessed May 3, 2018. https://www.roanestate.edu/owl/ElementsLit.html.