Learn YA Lit with Me (Ch.7)

The one where Ms. Shattuck learns about "Literary Elements."

I'm taking a class on Young Adult literature this semester at SHSU and am required to blog about each chapter that I read, so I thought I'd create a series to share with my blog friends. Welcome to Chapter 7.

Summary:

This chapter defined and explored the different literary elements/devices that readers may come across:

Literary Elements:

• Antagonist

• Character

• Conflict

• Mood And Tone

• Plot

• Protagonist

• Setting

• Themes

Literary Devices:

• Allegory

• Allusion

• Archetype

• Deus ex machine

• Hyperbole

• Imagery

• Metaphor

• Motif

• Point of view

• Simile

• Symbolism

The chapter then went into detail, offering external links for clarification, and then there was a slide presentation on Theme.

• Theme must be one overarching sentence.

• Theme must be a truism.

• Theme is not the main idea or a summary.

• There can be more than one theme in a story.

• The text MUST support the theme.

The slide presentation broke down possible themes of several books that children read in order to clarify upon the topic.

Reflection:

I've read this chapter in a previous class, but still enjoy the refresher. I use the definition of "theme" provided in this chapter when I talk to my 8th graders. We emphasize the use of ONE sentence that can apply to more than just the characters of the book.

As far as literary elements, these are things many students do not read for, but as an educator it is my job to help them find. I enjoy teaching literary elements/devices, and it excites me when students take pride in finding them in their text.