Focus Question: How does knowing about literary elements impact understanding of a story?

When a story really seems to jump off the page and come alive, one might ask themselves, "Why?". Upon a more through examination, it is clear that good use of the literary elements is the key to sucking any reader into a story. Characters that are dynamic, take the readers on a journey as they change and grow by encountering various pitfalls, trifles, and tribulations. They help bring the opportunity to see raw human potential and shed light to wide array of human emotions. Other literary elements, such as point of view, also help set the mood of a piece. For example, first person narratives give the reader an opportunity to witness the inner-monologue of the leading protagonist. Where-as a third person story gives the opportunity to take the perspective of multiple individuals. Time is another great literary element that is used to spice up stories. It often helps set theme or mood (a slower moving story can often focus in on core human emotions, where as a fast moving story keeps the reader on the edge of their seat). A sense of time can also contribute to the overall realism to the work. (I hate it when books skip around in time, its way too confusing and just seems sloppy and unbelievable). The last literary element that I will discuss (certainly not all of them) is the setting. A great setting can truly transport the reader to the destination. Giving readers an eerie dream-like awareness of the place where the events are happening provides for a sense of realness that cannot be matched by television. The setting, if strong enough, can also become a character in and of itself (see earlier blog on Gary Paulsen's Hatchet).
Consider these elements as a set of tools. When reading for deeper understanding, it is important to analyze each element. Truly dive in and ponder things such as character motivations, the sense of time in the story, how the perspective is impacting what you are reading, and if the setting has successfully transported you. Only then will you be able to see the layer behind the surface, deeper understanding.