Elements of Story and Literary Devices

Elements of Story

• Plot structure: Exposition → Rising Action → Climax → Falling Action → Resolution

• Narrative structure: Linear or non-linear narration, point of view (first-person, third-person, omniscient)

• Characterization: Direct (explicit) and indirect (implied through actions/dialogue)

• Internal conflict: Struggle within a character (e.g., Hamlet’s indecision)

• External conflict: Character vs. outside forces (e.g., Hamlet vs. Claudius)

• Theme: Central message (e.g., appearance vs. reality, revenge, madness)

• Mood: Atmosphere (e.g., tense, eerie, somber)

• Tone: Author or character’s attitude (e.g., sarcastic, reflective)

2. Literary Devices

• Symbolism: Objects representing ideas (e.g., Yorick’s skull = mortality)

• Foreshadowing: Hints of future events (e.g., Ghost foreshadows revenge)

• Comic Relief: Humor in serious scenes (e.g., Gravediggers)

• Sublime: Awe mixed with terror or grandeur (Hamlet’s thoughts on death)

• Imagery: Descriptive language appealing to senses

• Pathetic fallacy: Attributing human feelings to nature (e.g., storm reflects turmoil)

• Paradox: Contradictory truth (“I must be cruel to be kind”)

• Irony: Dramatic (audience knows more), situational, verbal

• Metaphor: Implied comparison (“Denmark’s a prison”)

• Simile: Direct comparison using “like” or “as”

• Pun: Wordplay (e.g., Hamlet’s dark puns)

• Oxymoron: Contradictory terms (“wise fool”)