Elements of Fiction What Is fiction

Fiction can have some true facts, events, or people though “make believe” or “not true” stories

Short Stories Long Stories / Novels Plays ~ Types of Fiction ~ Short Stories Long Stories / Novels Plays

~ Short Story ~ Fables Fairy Tales & Fantasy

~ Short Story ~ Folklore Myths & Legends

~ Long or Short Stories ~ Historical Fiction Science Fiction Realistic Fiction Mystery Adventure Romance Humor and others . . .

~ Elements of Fiction ~ Setting Characters Plot Conflict Climax Resolution

(The “When” & “Where” of the Story) Setting The TIME and PLACE of the story (The “When” & “Where” of the Story)

Setting Stories don’t always directly tell us their time period Long Ago Today In the Future Stories don’t always directly tell us their time period Sometimes we must figure it out from “clues” / descriptions in the story such as the style of clothing worn, the activities done, or the technology used by the characters.

Setting is also the “place” of the story

Stories can have more than one setting

(The “Who” of the Story) Characters The PEOPLE, ANIMALS, OR THINGS the story is about (The “Who” of the Story)

An author can make “make believe” characters seem believable by . . . describing them well letting the reader “hear” the characters speak to each other with dialogue “showing” characters’ actions in ways readers can relate to or that make sense for the situation letting the reader know the characters’ thoughts and feelings

The storyline or series of events that make up the story Plot The storyline or series of events that make up the story The “What Happened?” of the Story

Plot The plot of a story is where the reader learns what is happening and in what order: First . . . Then . . . Next . . . Finally . . .

A problem or struggle the character must face in the story Conflict A problem or struggle the character must face in the story

There are 2 types of Conflict Internal: Inside the Character External: Outside the Character

Internal Conflict Internal Conflict Internal conflicts are thoughts or feelings the characters struggle with like thinking they are going to lose a game or feeling worried.

These problems are happening “outside” of the character. External Conflict Conditions or people that are causing problems for the main character are called external conflicts. These problems are happening “outside” of the character.

Do you think this character is having thoughts and feelings right about now? Conflict Sometimes there can be both internal and external conflict as characters react with thoughts and feelings to the problems occurring “outside” of themselves.

Climax The most exciting part of the story – where the plot was leading.

The story leads up to the most exciting part Climax Climax Plot : Events in the story lead to the CLIMAX Shortly after the climax, the story ends Introduction Resolution The story leads up to the most exciting part

Climax The climax suggests how the conflict or problem in the story will be resolved.

Resolution By the resolution, or ending of the story, we learn how the conflict is solved . . . one way or another.

We’re NOT done with our work though . . . Resolution Resolution = The end of the story The End We’re NOT done with our work though . . .

In the story “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” . . . Now, let’s try it together! In the story “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” . . .

What is the setting ? Time & Place

Long ago / A cottage in the woods

Who are the characters ? Main Characters

Main Characters Goldilocks Papa Bear Mama Bear Baby Bear

Think back over the story: What is the plot ? Storyline

Plot

Plot

What is the conflict ? Problem to Overcome

(and apparently has no manners!) Conflict * Goldilocks is hungry and tired (and apparently has no manners!) * The bears will return.

Are these internal or external conflicts ? “Inside” the character or “outside”?

Conflict Being hungry or tired could be INTERNAL conflicts while the bears returning home is EXTERNAL.

What is the resolution ? How does the story end?

Resolution Goldilocks runs home when the bears return. (But has she learned not to go in strangers’ houses …?)

and of this presentation ! THE RESOLUTION of our story and of this presentation ! The End