1. Elements of Fiction Theme Plot Setting Characterization
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Narration

2. Short Story
Short section
Not as detailed
BOTH
Fiction
stories
Characters
Setting
Plot
Title
Problem/Conflict
Solution
Authors
Illustrators
Based on a Genre
Novel
Book
Chapters
Plot is more
developed

3. Plot
Simply put, plot is what happens in the story. Some call it the storyline.

4. Plot
Plot is the literary element that describes the structure of a story. It shows arrangement of events and actions within a story.

5. Plot Components
Climax: the turning point, the most intense moment—either mentally or in action
Rising Action: the series of conflicts and crisis in the story that lead to the climax
Falling Action: all of the action which follows the climax
Exposition: The mood and conditions existing at the beginning of the story. The setting is identified. The main characters with their positions, circumstances and relationships to one another are established. The exciting force or initial conflict is introduced. Sometimes called the “Narrative HOOK” this begins the conflict that continues throughout the story.
Rising Action: The series of events, conflicts, and crises in the story that lead up to the climax, providing the progressive intensity, and complicate the conflict.
Climax: The turning point of the story. A crucial event takes place and from this point forward, the protagonist moves toward his inevitable end. The event may be either an action or a mental decision that the protagonist makes.
Falling Action: The events occurring from the time of the climax to the end of the story. The main character may encounter more conflicts in this part of the story, but the end is inevitable.
Resolution/Denouement: The tying up of loose ends and all of the threads in the story. The conclusion. The hero character either emerges triumphant or is defeated at this point.
Exposition: the start of the story, the situation before the action starts
Resolution: the conclusion, the tying together of all of the threads

6. Theme
It’s the moral or main idea of the story. Themes do not provide any plot developments and apply to many types of stories in almost any genre.

7. Characterization
The main character in a story is called the protagonist. She or he is always involved in the main conflict and its resolution.
The person opposing the protagonist is called the antagonist.
use the methods of characterization (flat, round, dynamic, or static) to describe the protagonists and antagonists in the story.
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8. Flat Characterization
A character who has one or two sides, representing one or two traits—often a stereotype Flat characters help move the plot along more quickly because the audience immediately understands what the character is about.
Example: Like a geeky science professor

9. Round Characterization
A character who is complex and has many sides or traits with unpredictable behavior and a fully developed personality. Antagonists are usually a round characterization.
Example: Like The Green Goblin (Norman Osborn)

10. Dynamic Characterization
A character who experiences an essential change in personality or attitude. Protagonists are almost always dynamic.
Example: Stitch, from Lilo and Stitch

11. Static Characterization
A character who does not change or develop beyond the way in which she or he is first presented.
Example: Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird.

12. Types of Conflict
In the Mini Lesson/Notes section of your notebook, please copy the following information about the types of conflict that form the basis of plot.

13. Internal Conflict
The protagonist in the story experiences conflict with her or his conscience.

14. External Conflict
There are three types of external conflict: character vs. character; character vs. society; and character vs. nature.

15. Character vs. Self
In this type of conflict, the main character experiences some kind of inner conflict.

16. Character vs. Character
The protagonist in the story experiences conflict with others, especially the antagonist.

17. Character vs. Society
The protagonist in the story experiences conflict with society as a whole.

18. Character vs. Nature
The protagonist in the story experiences conflict with the elements of nature.

19. Narration
First Person Point of View: The narrator tells the story and is a character in the story. (Pronouns: I, me, us, we, our, etc.)
Third Person Omniscient: The narrator is not a character in the story but can tell you the thoughts and actions of all characters at all times. (Pronouns: he, she, him, her, they, them, etc.)
Third Person Limited: The narrator is not a character in the story but can tell you the thoughts and actions of a few key characters at all times. (Pronouns: he, she, him, her, they, them, etc.)

20. Setting
The setting provides us with the when and where the story took place. In addition, the context or historical background in which the story is set provides us with additional plot information.

21. Flat Characterization
A character who has one or two sides, representing one or two traits—often a stereotype Flat characters help move the plot along more quickly because the audience immediately understands what the character is about.
Example: Like a geeky science professor

22. Round Characterization
A character who is complex and has many sides or traits with unpredictable behavior and a fully developed personality. Antagonists are usually a round characterization.
Example: Like The Green Goblin (Norman Osborn)

23. Dynamic Characterization
A character who experiences an essential change in personality or attitude. Protagonists are almost always dynamic.
Example: Stitch, from Lilo and Stitch

24. Static Characterization
A character who does not change or develop beyond the way in which she or he is first presented.
Example: Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird.