Unit 1: Literary Elements Notes - Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering POV, Perspective, Setting, and Theme from Unit 1.

Point of View

The perspective from which the story is told; includes 1st Person, 3rd Person Omniscient, and 3rd Person Limited.

First-Person Point of View

The story is told by one of the characters; uses I, me, my; limited to that character's knowledge.

Third-Person Omniscient Point of View

An all-knowing narrator who knows everything about everyone and can reveal thoughts and feelings.

Third-Person Limited Point of View

A third-person narrator who follows one character; reveals only that character's thoughts, feelings, and perceptions.

Perspective

A person's experiences, background knowledge, preferences, feelings, and thoughts; affects how information is presented; revealed through word choice, descriptions, detail, actions, and omissions.

Point of View vs Perspective

POV is the narrative stance (1st/2nd/3rd, limited or omniscient); Perspective is the viewpoint shaped by experiences and attitudes and relates to how the topic is viewed.

Setting

Where and when a story takes place; Place and Time; changes in setting can affect the plot.

Place

Where the story takes place (state, country, or location).

Time

When the story takes place (time of day, year, season).

Theme

The central message, lesson, or moral of a story; universal and can be more than one; supported by events, conflicts, and character changes; not a one-word slogan or a plot summary.

Theme Formula

Topic (one word) + Author's Message = Theme Statement; e.g., Friendship + requires trust and loyalty -> True friendship requires trust and loyalty.

Theme Statement

A complete sentence that states the theme; e.g., The theme of Cinderella is to treat others as you want to be treated.