Elements of Literature

1. Synopsis – It is the summary of the literary work (Prose – short stories, poetry and play)

2. Central idea – It is the story's main idea or central message.  It is only one and the combination of all the themes.  When all the themes are combined, it makes one central idea.  

 3. Themes – Themes are defined as morals, messages or what the story/poem is based on. Themes are multiple or many. These combined themes make a central idea. 

 4. Message – The moral of the story/poem conveyed at the end of the story or poem. It is an explicit (seen outside) message seen on the surface after reading the story. 

 5. Underlying Message – It is based on one’s perspective; it means a hidden message that the story is conveying. It is an implicit message (hidden or not seen). The readers need to extract the message from analyzing the story from their point of view.  

6. Title justification – It means how the title is justified, suitability of the title (appropriateness and relevance of title) 

7. Keywords and phrases – These are important words or phrases from every chapter that the students need to use in their answers.  

8. Word Meanings – These are the meanings of the words in general. However, they are asked about context or reference to context questions.   

9. Characterization – Character sketches or character analysis of the important characters of the story.  

10. Literary Devices—These are figures of speech used in stories or prose. When they are used in poems, they are called poetic devices.  

11. Reading the text with annotations – Annotations are short notes for understanding and explanation of any paragraph, passage or stanza. Annotations are important for reference to context questions. 

12. Important lines and passages of a story/poem - The important stanzas (poem) and important passages are to be marked with star symbols and important lines need to be underlined.  13. Story Sequencing - It means how a story develops in stages. It means a sequence of events one after another. 

14. Focus Points (Value Points) – These are valuable points or significant aspects of the chapter from where questions are expected in the examination.  

15. Names of Writers (Authors and Poets) - It is important to remember the authors and poets' names of the stories and poems.  

16. NCERT Questions (textbook exercises) 

17. Summary and paraphrase – A summary is a short version of the story or poem that includes the main idea. Paraphrase is rewriting the poem in your own words. Paraphrase is a little longer as each stanza is written in your own words.  

18) Extrapolatory Questions - These are comparison-based questions about similarities and differences between two works. 

19) Practice Questions – Previous Year Questions (PYQ), Board Examination Expected Questions (BEQ), Higher Order Thinking Skills Questions (HOTS)  Value-Based Questions (VBQ).

20) Elements of Story –Beginning, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution. 

21) Essence – It means summary, gist, central idea and theme. 

22) Tone and mood of the poem 23) Point of View - First Person and Third Person Point of View