C & C: Characterization Elements of Fiction Theme Plot Setting C & C: Characterization and Conflict Click for Guidelines Narration Click on the link above each finger to discover one of the five aspects of the Elements of Fiction. Then, in the “Notes” section of your notebook, draw a hand and copy the definition at each digit of the hand. Click on the home icon on each page to return here.

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’s basic path, including the initial hook, the rising action, the climax, and the resolution.

Theme It’s the moral or main idea of the story. Themes do not provide any plot developments and are general truths that the author is trying to illustrate. Themes are universal and can apply to many stories and genres. When doing an Elements of Fiction Hand, state the theme in a complete sentence. A theme can never be stated in one word.

Setting The setting provides us with the when and where the story took place. In addition, the why - the 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 = when does the plot occur? Consider the date, season, time of day, year, etc.; Where = where does the action occur? Give a specific country, state, city, location, etc.; Why = why is the setting historically significant? Why did the author choose this setting?

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 Click Here

Methods of Characterization On a new page in the “Notes” section of your notebook, title it “Methods of Characterization” and copy the information from the following slides.

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: A geeky science professor

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

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

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.

Types of Conflict In the “Notes” section of your notebook, please copy the following information about the types of CONFLICT that form the basis of plot.

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

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

Character vs. Society The protagonist in the story experiences conflict with society’s rules or expectations

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

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

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.)

Narration 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.)

Narration 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.)

Guidelines When creating an Elements of Fiction Hand, please follow these guidelines Be sure to write the author’s name and the title of the story (in quotation marks) on the palm of the hand graphic. Be sure to label each digit with one of the Elements of Fiction. Add in the details for each Element of Fiction neatly and carefully. Provide names of characters, places, dates, times, locations, etc. As always, be creative and try to do something original and unusual!