Fact Check: Literary Element

A literary element or narrative element, or element of literature is an essential characteristic of all works of written or spoken narrative fiction. Literary elements include plot, theme, character, and tone. In contrast, literary techniques are non-universal features of literature and include figurative language, irony, and foreshadowing.

Literary elements aid in the discussion of and understanding of a work of literature as basic categories of critical analysis; literary elements could be said to be produced by the readers of a work just as much as they are produced by its author. For the most part, they are popular concepts that are not particular to any particular branch of literary criticism, although they are most closely associated with the formalist method of professional literary criticism. There is no official definition or fixed list of terms of literary elements; however, they are a common feature of literary education at the primary or secondary level, and a set of terms similar to the one below often appears in institutional student evaluation. For instance, the New York State Comprehensive English Regent Exam requires that student use and discuss literary elements relating to specific works in each of the three essays.

Terms of Literary Elements

1. Action - the physical movement of the characters.
2. Character - a person or other being in a narrative. The character may be fictional or based on a real-life person.
3. Conflict - a major literary element of narrative or dramatic structure that creates challenges in a story by adding uncertainty on whether the goal will be achieved.
4. Dialogue - verbal exchange between two or more characters (but can also involve the use of strategic silence). If there is only one character talking aloud, it is a monologue.
5. Genre - the category of literature such as horror, science fiction, fantasy, romance, suspense and thriller.
6. Language -structured system of communication including the grammar and the free components of its vocabulary.
7. Mood - the atmosphare of the narrative. It is created by means of setting (locale and surroundings in which the narrative takes place), attitude (of the narrator and of the characters in the narrative), and descriptions.
8. Narrative mode - the use of written or spoken commentary to convey a story to an audience.
9. Narrative structure - generally described as the structural framework that underlies the order and manner in which a narrative is presented to the reader.
10. Pacing - the speed at which a story is told--not necessarily the speed at which the story takes place.
11. Plot - the sequence of events where each events affect the next one through the principle of cause-and-effect. 
12. Point of view - theoretical approaches defined point of view in terms of person, perspective, voice, consciousness, and focus.
13. Setting - the time and geographic location within a narrative.
14. Writing style - the manner of expressing thought in language characteristic of an individual, period, school, or nation.
15. Theme - a central topic, subject, or message within a narrative.
16. Tone - expresses the writer's attitude toward or feeings about the subject matter and audience.

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