Five Elements of Fiction

1. Character People People or animals who take part in the action Most Most authors use few characters; 2-6 Usually Usually one character is the main character

How Characters Are Revealed By By author comment, where the author tells a person’s actions a character’s actions a character’s comments what other characters say

Useful Character Questions What traits does each character have? What traits does each character have? How are they revealed? How are they revealed? Does a character change during the story? How? Does a character change during the story? How? Does the character remind you of someone you know? Does the character remind you of someone you know?

2. Plot Plot Plot is the series of events or the main story is based on a conflict or conflicts: –Between –Between two characters - human vs. human a character and society – human vs. society a character and nature or the supernatural – human vs. nature –Within –Within a character – human vs. him/herself

Plot Map

Parts of the Plot Exposition Exposition or Opening: Opening: setting, characters and situation are revealed Rising Rising Action: Action: the action is developed by incident, description, characterization and dialogue Climax: Climax: the culmination of the events of rising action; the most exciting moment; the highest point of interest Falling Falling Action: Action: follows the climax and explains any details that need further clarification. Usually short

3. Point of View Point Point of view is the relationship of the storyteller to the story: –First –First person person – The narrative is told by one of the characters from the “I” point of view. –Limited –Limited third person person – The narrator tells the story using “he” and “she.” This point of view can be limited with the narrator knowing only the thoughts and feelings of one character. –Omniscient –Omniscient – The narrator tells the story using “he” and “she,” but the narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of all the characters.

4. Setting The The time and place in which the action takes place Normally Normally explained at or near the beginning of the story Geographical Geographical location, scenery, weather, furniture, clothing, time of year, period of history give indications of setting

5. Theme The The main idea or meaning or message of a story Not Not the same as the subject or a summary The The author’s reflection on a universal truth, possibly a lesson or a moral author will not tell you directly what the theme is Theme Theme is revealed through character, setting and point of view You You need to read the entire book before you can determine the theme

The Theme Sounds Like a Fortune Cookie Message How How we act, not how we look determines how beautiful we are Honesty Honesty is the best policy Sometimes Sometimes bad things happen to good people The The truth hurts truth will set you free