2. Cause and Effect Cause and effect is the relationship between two things when one thing makes something else happen. For example, if we eat too much food and do not exercise, we gain weight. Eating food without exercising is the "cause;" weight gain is the "effect." There may be multiple causes and multiple effects.

3. Cause and Effect Cause- Effect pairs occur frequently in text. They are also known as actions and reactions. Several examples can be found in the paragraphs below:

4. Cause and Effect Maria's Cat Maria's cat was hungry so he yowled and circled around Maria's legs almost tripping her while she walked. Maria noticed that her cat was trying to get her attention and stopped to pet him. The cat continued to yowl and walked into the kitchen. He stood by his food dish and yowled more loudly. Finally Maria got the idea. Her cat was hungry! Maria decided to feed her cat. She opened a can of food and put it into the bowl. Because he had finally been fed, Maria's cat stopped yowling and purred loudly as if to say thank you!

5. Cause and Effect Cause: Maria's cat was hungry Effect: So he yowled and circled around Maria's legs almost tripping her as she walked. Cause: Maria noticed her cat was trying to get her attention Effect: She stopped to pet him. Cause: He stood by his food dish and yowled more loudly. Effect: Finally Maria got the idea. Her cat was hungy! Cause: He was finally fed Effect: He stopped yowling and purred loudly.

6. Elements of Fiction Click on the link above each finger to discover one of the five aspects of the elements of fiction. Click on the home icon on each page to return here. Click for Guidelines Plot Theme Setting Characterization Point of View

7. Plot Simply put, plot is what happens in the story. Some call it the storyline. When doing an Elements of fiction hand, describe the plot in ten words or less without revealing the plot’s climax or resolution.

8. 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. A theme is not the same as the subject of a work. For example, the subject of Green Eggs and Ham is "green eggs and ham are well worth eating, no matter the location". The theme might be "have an open mind". When doing an elements of fiction hand, state the theme in five words or less. Often it can be stated in one word.

9. 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. When doing an Elements of Fiction hand, use the methods of characterization (flat, round, dynamic, or static) to describe the protagonists and antagonists in the story. Click Here

10. Narration/Point of View 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.)

11. 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. When doing an Elements of Fiction Hand, use the three W’s of setting When = the timeframe, Where = place or location, and Why = the context in which the story is set

12. Guidelines When creating an Elements of Fiction Hand, please follow these guidelines Trace your hand or use a graphic on a blank piece of paper Be sure to label each digit with one of the elements of fiction Where needed, provide names of characters, places, dates, times, locations, etc. No lined paper: must be in color As always, be creative and try to do something original and unusual

13. Methods of Characterization

14. 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

15. 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)

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

17. Static Characterization A character who does not change or develop beyond the way in which she or he is first presented. Example: Goofy

18. Types of Conflict

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

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

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

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

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