This document defines and provides brief explanations of 10 key literary elements: 1) climax, 2) conflict, 3) essay, 4) mood, 5) narrator, 6) plot, 7) point of view, 8) resolution, 9) setting, and 10) theme. It explains that the climax is the turning point where the outcome becomes clear, conflict is the problem, an essay is a written piece with a beginning, middle, and end about a real topic, and mood is the emotional quality that is conveyed. It also defines narrator, plot, point of view, resolution, setting, and theme.

1. 1

2. 2
The turning point or
highest point of action in a
story. The climax is when
the story’s outcome
becomes clear.
1. climax

3. 3

4. 4
The problem in the story.
2. conflict

5. 5

6. 6
A piece of writing with a clear
beginning, middle, and end.
An essay is about a real topic.
3. essay

7. 7

8. 8
The emotional quality of a
story. How the writing
makes you feel as the
reader.
4. mood

9. 9

10. 10
The speaker telling
the story. The
narrator tells a story
through first person
or third person point
of view.
5. narrator

11. 11
RESOLUTION

12. RESOLUTION12
The sequence of events in
a story.
6. plot

13. 13

14. 14
The perspective from
which a story is told. The
narrator can be a
character in the story
(1st person) or outside of
the story (3rd person).
7. point of view

15. 15

16. 16
The final outcome of a story.
8. resolution

17. 17

18. 18
The time and
place of a story.
Setting can include
year, weather, town,
home, etc.
9. setting

19. 19

20. 20
A general message
about life in a story.
Theme is NOT a
summary of the plot.
10. theme