I have to write a paragraph about the "elements" of The Help...what does that mean?

The phrase "elements" here refers to literary elements, a
part of literary devices. Generally, these include a wide range of aspects used by an
author in a work of literature. Some examples of literary elements are plot, characters,
setting, chronology, structure, mood, tone, point of view, all the things that are
non-optional parts of a story. 

In addition, this novel
uses several literary technique conventions quite extensively. Foreshadowing, irony,
dialect and symbolism each stand out as heavily used literary techniques in Stockett's
novel. 

We see the use of dialect in the chapters--part of
structure--narrated by Aibileen and Minny in points of
view. 

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Dialect - the language of a particular district,
class, or group of persons. It encompasses the sounds, grammar, and diction employed by
a specific people as distinguished from other persons either geographically or
socially.

Some of the objects
that take on a symbolic value in this novel include Aibileen's teapot, Celia's mimosa
tree, and Skeeter's satchel. 

Dramatic irony is also a
technique used in this novel. The book project is a great example of dramatic irony.
This occurs when the audience along with one character (or set of
characters)--characters are a literary element--is aware of certain information that
other characters in the story are not. The book project is a dangerous secret for much
of the duration of the novel, a secret which the audience is fully aware of but which
Hilly and the town are not.