Composition (language)

The term composition (from Latin com- "with" and ponere "to place"), in written language, refers to the collective body of important features established by the author in their creation of literature. Most often, composition relates to narrative works of literature, but may also relate to essays, biographies, and other works.

In narratives (primarily fiction), composition includes, but is not limited to,


 * Outline, the organisation of thoughts and/or ideas which is used to determine organisational technique
 * Plot, the course or arrangement of events
 * Theme, the unifying subject or idea
 * Dialogue, a reciprocal conversation between two or more persons
 * Characterisation, the process of creating characters
 * Setting, the time and location in which the composition takes place
 * Description, definitions of things in the composition
 * Style, specifically, the linguistic style of the composition
 * Setting tone or mood, conveying one or more emotions or feelings through words
 * Voice, the individual writing style of the author
 * Tone, which encompasses the attitudes toward the subject and toward the audience