(The individual parts that make a story a whole) Fictional Elements (The individual parts that make a story a whole)

Journal / Do Now: In your own words, with as much detail as possible, write down a definition of the following terms: Then, list your favorite examples of each. (i.e. protagonist – main character of the story, example – Ariel from the Little Mermaid) Setting - Protagonist - Antagonist - Conflict - Point of View - Dialogue -

Important Note These are very basic definitions and for every “rule” in literature there is a great story that breaks it. As writers and artists we should not feel bound by tradition, but we should know what is “traditional” before we move beyond it.

Setting Includes the time, location, and physical description of everything in which a story takes place. Elements of setting may include culture, historical period, and geography.

Protagonist The main character (the central or primary personal figure) of a literary, theatrical, cinematic, or musical narrative, around whom the events of the narrative's plot revolve and with whom the audience is intended to share the most empathy.

Antagonist A character, group of characters, or an institution, that represents the opposition against which the protagonist must contend. The antagonist may also represent a major threat or obstacle to the main character by their very existence, without necessarily actively targeting him or her.

Conflict The emotional or dramatic tension around which the entire story is based. Six Main Types: 1. Character Vs. Self 2. Character Vs. Character 3. Character Vs. Society 4. Character Vs. Nature 5. Character Vs. Technology 6. Character Vs. Destiny

Point of View The vantage point from which a story is told. First-person stories use I and we, and are told by a character in the story. Third-person stories use pronouns like he, she , and they. This is often limited to the thoughts of one character, the protagonist, though there are exceptions.

Dialogue Conversation between two or more people. Conversation between a character and him or herself.

PLOT (A) Exposition - Introduce setting and characters (B) Rising Action - Conflict arises and tension slowly builds. Foreshadowing (C) Climax - The point of highest tension that changes the course of the story. (D) Denouement (Day-noo-mahn) - Unraveling the plot and providing a conclusion of some kind.

THEME The overall message or idea being expressed in a creative work. What the author is revealing about the given topic.

Where does the saying, “Never judge a book by its cover” come from? Book Covers! Where does the saying, “Never judge a book by its cover” come from?