Elements of Fiction Plot Theme Setting Characterization

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.

PLOT Climax End Resolution Beginning Expositions The series of events and actions that takes place in a story.

Plot Line Exposition: The start of the story. The way things are before the action starts. Rising Action: the series of conflicts and crisis in the story that lead to the climax. Falling Action: all of the action which follows the Climax. Resolution: The conclusion, the tying together of all of the threads. Climax: The turning point. The most intense moment (either mentally or in action.

Theme It’s the moral or main idea of the story. Themes do not provide any plot developments, are not expressed in a single word, is not the moral or the conflict, and apply to many types of stories in almost any genre. Can Be expressed in a single sentence Its central idea. It usually contains some insight into the human condition.

Theme, cont…. Identifying the Theme in Five Steps To identify the theme, be sure that you’ve first identified the story’s plot, the way the story uses characterization, and the primary conflict in the story. 1. Summarize the plot by writing a one-sentence description for the exposition, the conflict, the rising action, the climax, the falling action, and the resolution. 2. Identify the subject of the work. 3. Identify the insight or truth that was learned about the subject. How did the protagonist change? What lesson did the protagonist learn from the resolution of the conflict? 4. State how the plot presents the primary insight or truth about the subject. 5. Write one or more generalized, declarative sentences that state what was learned and how it was learned. Theme Litmus Test Is the theme supported by evidence from the work itself? Are all the author’s choices of plot, character, conflict, and tone controlled by this theme?

Symbolism A symbol represents an idea, quality, or concept larger than itself. A Journey can symbolize life. Black can represent evil or death. Water may represent a new beginning. A lion could be a symbol of courage.

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.

Methods of Characterization

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

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)

Dynamic Characterization A character who experiences an essential change in personality or attitude. Protagonists 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.

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. The Geographical Location The Time Period The Specific location like room The socioeconomic status of the location

The End