The pieces that add depth to literature are the story elements. The theme is the main idea of the story. The setting is described through the time and location of the piece. The plot is created by the events of the story. Throughout the plot, the reader will learn about a conflict occurring between characters. Background information may be given to support the conflict as certain events cause the tension to increase, creating rising action. Eventually, all of the events will lead to a climax in the story where the character reaches a turning point and the conflict is resolved.
The mood of a piece of literature is an emotional feeling created by the author and may change throughout the story. By using specific tones or changing tone during the piece, the author can express an attitude toward the events or characters. Authors may also use flashbacks to add details to the story from prior events, or foreshadowing to give the reader an idea of what may happen later in the story.
Characters in a piece of literature can take on many forms and personalities. The protagonist is the main character of the story. The antagonist opposes the main character and can take on a tangible or intangible form. The author describes characters through their physical characteristics, emotional features, speech, and actions.
Irony is a gap between what is expected to happen and what really happens. Verbal irony can come across as sarcasm when there is a difference between what is said and what is literally indicated. An unexpected event that occurs in a storyline is referred to as situational irony. Dramatic irony is inserted into literature to clue the reader in on information that the characters do not know.
The point of view is the perspective from which the author tells the story. Narratives told in the first-person point of view are told from a character in the story. This character expresses what they see and feel. An individual outside the story will use the third-person point of view. Depending on the type of literature, the individual speaking in third-person may only be able to describe the thoughts and feelings of a couple characters or may explain what all of the characters are thinking in an omniscient role.
Poetry uses a variety of language techniques to convey a message. Rhyming uses two or more words together with similar sounds. Alliteration occurs when the beginning consonant sound is used repeatedly. Using vowel sounds to create rhyming is known as assonance. The rhythm or meter of a poem gives it the feeling of having a beat as it is read.
Words are played around with frequently in poetic readings. Imagery is created when words are used to form a picture in the reader's mind. Literal language is meant to be taken as the true meaning of the words written. Figurative language is used when words should be taken outside of their typical connotation. Similes and metaphors compare items that are generally not similar, but may have one common attribute. Hyperbole is used to greatly exaggerate a feeling. Writers give human characteristics to non-human objects by using personification. Onomatopoeia is used to convey sounds in literature.