Core Elements:
* Plot: The sequence of events in a story. This includes the rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
* Characters: The people (or sometimes animals or even objects) who populate the story. Their actions, thoughts, and motivations drive the plot.
* Setting: The time and place where the story takes place. This can include the physical environment, the social context, and the historical period.
* Theme: The central idea or message that the author is trying to convey. It can be about love, loss, hope, justice, etc.
Other Important Elements:
* Narrative Structure: The way in which the story is organized. This includes the point of view, the use of flashbacks and foreshadowing, and the overall pacing of the story.
* Style: The author's unique way of using language, including their vocabulary, sentence structure, and use of figurative language.
* Symbolism: The use of objects, characters, or events to represent something beyond their literal meaning.
* Imagery: The use of vivid sensory details to create a picture in the reader's mind.
* Conflict: The struggle between opposing forces that drives the plot forward.
* Dialogue: The conversation between characters.
* Tone: The author's attitude towards the subject matter.
* Mood: The overall feeling that the story evokes in the reader.
Ultimately, what makes a literary element "key" depends on the specific work. Some elements might be more prominent or significant than others. For example, in a mystery novel, the plot and the characters might be the most important elements, while in a poem, imagery and symbolism could be more prominent.
Analyzing a literary work often involves identifying these key elements and understanding how they work together to create the overall effect.