8 Literary Elements You Should Know
Last Updated : 17 Apr, 2025
You're reading a book and it has certain elements that make it interesting. The characters are the people in the story - you learn about them and what they want. The plot is what happens, the events that take place. There are symbols, like objects that mean something more than what they are. The setting describes the time and place where the story occurs. The author uses these literary elements to tell a compelling story that keeps you reading. By understanding the basic elements, you can appreciate how the writer crafted the narrative to engage your imagination and emotions. In this article, we are going to explore 8 Literary Elements that everyone should know.
What are Literary Elements?
Literary elements are the fundamental components that make up a piece of literature, contributing to its structure, depth, and meaning. These elements are the tools that writers use to convey their ideas, emotions, and messages effectively to the readers. Common literary elements include plot, character, setting, theme, point of view, symbolism, tone, and style.
Plot refers to the sequence of events that form the storyline, including the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. Characters are the individuals or entities who drive the narrative forward, each with their traits, motivations, and conflicts. Setting establishes the time and place in which the story occurs, influencing its mood and atmosphere.
The theme is the central idea or message that the author explores through the narrative, while the point of view determines the perspective from which the story is told. Symbolism involves the use of objects, actions, or figures to represent abstract ideas or concepts. The tone reflects the author's attitude towards the subject matter or audience, while the style encompasses the author's unique voice, word choice, and sentence structure.
Literary Elements vs Literary Devices
Literary elements and literary devices are both essential components of literature, but they serve slightly different purposes.
- Literary elements are fundamental components that form the structure and foundation of a literary work. They are the basic building blocks that contribute to the overall meaning and impact of the text. Common literary elements include plot, character, setting, theme, point of view, symbolism, tone, and style. These elements provide the framework through which the story is developed, allowing readers to analyze and interpret the narrative's deeper meanings and messages.
- Literary devices, on the other hand, are specific techniques or tools that writers use to enhance the effectiveness and aesthetic appeal of their writing. Unlike literary elements, which are inherent aspects of the text, literary devices are intentional and deliberate choices made by the author to create particular effects or evoke certain responses in the reader. Examples of literary devices include metaphor, simile, imagery, symbolism, irony, foreshadowing, allegory, alliteration, and personification. These devices add layers of complexity, creativity, and depth to the writing, enriching the reader's experience and enhancing the overall quality of the work.
Types of Literary Elements
Literary elements consists of a wide range of components that contribute to the structure and meaning of a literary work. Here are some common types of literary elements:
- Plot: The plot is the sequence of events that form the storyline of a literary work. It includes the introduction of characters and setting, the development of conflict through rising action, the peak of tension at the climax, the resolution of the conflict during the falling action, and the conclusion or denouement.
- Character: Characters are the individuals or entities who inhabit the story. They possess unique traits, motivations, and conflicts that drive the narrative forward. Well-developed characters are essential for readers to connect with the story and understand its themes.
- Setting: Setting establishes the time and place in which the story occurs. It creates the backdrop against which the events unfold, influencing the mood, atmosphere, and sometimes even the plot of the narrative.
- Theme: Theme is the central idea or message that the author seeks to convey through the narrative. It often reflects universal truths, human experiences, or societal issues, inviting readers to ponder and interpret the deeper meaning of the story.
- Point of View: Point of view refers to the perspective from which the story is told. It can be first-person, third-person limited, or omniscient, affecting the reader's understanding of events and characters.
- Symbolism: Symbolism involves the use of objects, actions, or figures to represent abstract ideas or concepts. It adds depth and complexity to the narrative, allowing authors to convey themes and emotions indirectly.
- Tone: Tone is the author's attitude towards the subject matter or audience. It is conveyed through the choice of words, imagery, and overall mood of the writing, influencing the reader's emotional response.
- Style: Style encompasses the author's unique voice, word choice, sentence structure, and literary techniques. It shapes the overall tone and impact of the writing, contributing to its aesthetic appeal and effectiveness in conveying meaning.
- Imagery: Imagery refers to vivid and descriptive language that appeals to the senses. It creates mental images in the reader's mind, improving the atmosphere and bringing the narrative to life.
- Irony: Irony involves a discrepancy between expectation and reality. It can be used to add depth, humor, or complexity to the narrative, prompting readers to reconsider their assumptions and interpretations.
8 Literary Elements Examples
Understanding literary elements is imperative for analysing and appreciating literature. Here are eight essential literary elements examples to know:
- Plot: In Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," the plot revolves around the love affair between the title characters from feuding families, leading to their tragic deaths and reconciliation of the families.
- Character: In J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" series, Harry Potter himself undergoes significant growth and development as he pass the challenges of adolescence, friendship, and his destiny as the Boy Who Lived.
- Setting: The eerie and desolate moors of Emily Brontë's "Wuthering Heights" serve as a haunting backdrop for the passionate and tumultuous relationships of its characters.
- Theme: The theme of identity and self-discovery is central to J.D. Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye," as protagonist Holden Caulfield grapples with his place in the world and his resistance to growing up.
- Point of View: Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" is narrated from the perspective of Scout Finch, offering a child's innocent yet insightful view of racial injustice in the American South.
- Symbolism: In George Orwell's "Animal Farm," the farm itself symbolizes the Russian Revolution and the subsequent rise of Stalinist totalitarianism, with characters like Napoleon representing historical figures.
- Tone: The satirical tone of Jonathan Swift's "Gulliver's Travels" allows him to critique and lampoon various aspects of society and human nature through the lens of fantastical travel adventures.
- Style: Ernest Hemingway's minimalist writing style in "The Old Man and the Sea" emphasizes the protagonist's solitary struggle against nature, conveying themes of perseverance and resilience with stark simplicity.