Notes with In-Text Citations Kimberly Cullen

Question # 1; How do authors hook and hold readers? -realistic fiction books use events that relate to readers to interest them in the stories (“Characteristics of Good Realistic Fiction”) -this genre uses modern times, and events, could happen to a real person, keeps them involved in the book -these stories take place in towns, involve people, and involve conflicts which are very possible in real life (Patterson)

Question # 2; How do realistic fiction writers persuade their readers? Authors of realistic fiction stories research the situations in the stories before writing the books, to make sure they have a full understanding to make the book as realistic as possible. ("Young Readers Relate to Titles in the Realistic Fiction Collection.“) They may go to towns of which the story is set in, to get connected to it and get information about it, as they would do with any job title a main character may have. For example if a character in the story has cancer, or is involved in a gang, the author will go interview and put themselves in the shoes of someone with this problem to get a better understanding. (Bang)

Question # 3; What is the difference between realistic fiction and the truth? Realistic fiction is closer to the truth than fantasy, or science fiction, but not as close as non-fiction. The characters may not be actual, "true" characters, but the situation they are put in are very much true. (Alphin)

Question # 4; Which truths are best communicated through the realistic fiction genre? Truths that are communicated through the realistic fiction genre would be the fact that many people relate to these stories for insight into their own life. (“Characteristics of Good Realistic Fiction”) If the character doesn't cope well with the death and ends with killing themself, the reader that relates to them will probably have an outlook on the situation in their real life that they can't get through it.

Question # 5; What are some of the elements of realistic fiction? The three main elements of a fiction book are setting, plotting and character. ("Answers.com - What is realistic fiction." ) Foreshadowing (when the writer drops hints as to what may happen in the future of the story), climax (where the most action takes place, usually 3/4's through the story, and what the story leads up to), symbolism (where the author uses things in the story to symbolize a desired concept) ("Literary Terms.“)

Question # 6; Who are some of the authors of realistic fiction books? J. D. Salinger, Ernest Hemmingway, Walter Dean Myers, Judy Blume, and Beverly Clearly ("popular realistic-fiction books.")

Question # 7; What general group of people enjoy realistic fiction books? Realistic fiction relates to everybody, and all types of people enjoy the genre. ("Young Readers Relate to Titles in the Realistic Fiction Collection.“) There is no definite group of people that appeal to this genre, which is why it is one of the more popular ones. Realistic fiction has a very broad range of subjects and topics (Alphin)

Question # 8; What kinds of things do main characters in realistic fiction books go through? realistic predicaments and situations ("Answers.com - What is realistic fiction.“) authors can write about something they might be going through, or someone they know, without giving away real information or names helps readers to relate and get through things ("All About Realistic Fiction.“)