Literary Devices-Ch. 6 Reading

Authors uses a variety of words, phrases, and devices to create theme, images, and mood in their stories.   Some basic elements used in stories are setting, characters, and conflict.  The setting is the backdrop for a story.  It can create different moods in the story, a time in history or the future, or a particular place, either real or imaginary, as well as helping to create images for the reader.  Characters are the "actors" of the story, and usually  the plot of the story revolves around the main character.  The protagonist, or main character, is usually involved in some type of conflict they are trying to resolve.  The antagonist is usually the protagonist's opponent, and is likely to create more problems for the protagonist.  The mood and tone are the feelings created through the words and details the author writes.  The reader can infer the mood through the author's words as happy, scary, sad, etc.  Authors use a variety of devices in their stories such as imagery, symbolism, point of view, allegory, and allusion to create mood.

Theme is the message the author is trying to convey to the reader.  This message is stated or suggested by the author through the events that happen in the story.

Some things to note about theme:

1. Theme must be stated in a complete sentence. 

EX:  A mother's love is forever.  

2. Theme is a truism.  It is true in both stories and real life. It is a message that is universal.

3. Theme must be demonstrated in the text.  It can be proved by text evidence.

4. Theme can happen in real life. 

When reading literature, it is important to recognize the theme or author's message in order to make connections to the text, characters, and problems presented in the text.  As librarians, knowing the theme in books can help librarians match readers to books.