Elements of Fiction

series of related events that make up the action of the story and give the story structure. What happens, to whom, and when. Plot Structure

Five Elements of Plot Exposition – introduction setting, character and sometimes conflict Rising Action – conflict intensifies Climax – an action or decision is made to impact the outcome of the story Falling Action – the consequence of the action or decision made at the climax Resolution – The conflict is resolved

Plot Diagram

Setting time and location in which the story takes place. For some stories the setting is very important, while for others, it’s not.

Setting a) place - geographical location. Where is the action of the story taking place? b) time - When is the story taking place? (historical period, time of day, year, etc)

Setting a) place - geographical location. Where is the action of the story taking place? b) time - When is the story taking place? (historical period, time of day, year, etc) c) weather conditions - Is it rainy, sunny, stormy, etc?

Setting a) place - geographical location. Where is the action of the story taking place? b) time - When is the story taking place? (historical period, time of day, year, etc) c) weather conditions - Is it rainy, sunny, stormy, etc? d) social conditions - What is the daily life of the characters like? Does the story contain local color (writing that focuses on the speech, dress, mannerisms, customs, etc. of a particular place)?

Setting a) place - geographical location. Where is the action of the story taking place? b) time - When is the story taking place? (historical period, time of day, year, etc) c) weather conditions - Is it rainy, sunny, stormy, etc? d) social conditions - What is the daily life of the characters like? Does the story contain local color (writing that focuses on the speech, dress, mannerisms, customs, etc. of a particular place)? e) mood or atmosphere - What feeling is created at the beginning of the story? Is it bright and cheerful or dark and frightening?

Characters people (or animals, things, etc. presented as people) appearing in a literary work that participate in the action of the story.

Characters Main – most important, impact the outcome of story Minor – interact with main characters, but do not impact the outcome of the story Protagonist – the character central to the action of the story and attempting to overcome conflict Antagonist – the character who/that creates conflict

Characters Dynamic – undergo changes as story progresses Static - remain the same throughout the story Round – character traits revealed in greater detail Flat – character traits are simply stated

Methods of Characterization 1. Description – physical appearance and personality 2. Background 3. Words and Deeds – what the character says and does 4. Thoughts, Feelings, and Emotions 5. Reaction of Others – other characters thoughts, feelings, and actions toward a character

Conflict The struggle between opposing forces central to the action of the story. The protagonist struggles to overcome the conflict. The antagonist generally creates the conflict. Internal or External

Conflict Person vs. Person – a problem with another character Person vs. Society – a problem with the laws or beliefs of a group Person vs. Nature – a problem with a force of nature/environment Person vs. Self – a problem deciding what to do or think Person vs. Fate – a problem that seems uncontrollable Generally occurs during the rising action and helps to create suspense. Suspense is the excitement or tension that readers feel as they become involved in a story.

Perspective The perspective or point of view from which the author presents a story. Who is narrating the story?

Perspective First Person Point of View – Story told by one of the characters using first person pronouns such as I or we. This narrator participates in much of the action of the story. The reader is limited to knowing only what that character knows, thinks, and feels.

Perspective Third Person Point of View Story is told by a narrator who is not a character in the story. The story told in third person pronouns such as he, she, and they. Omniscient - When the thoughts and feelings of all chacracters are revealed Limited Omniscient – thoughts and feelings of just one character, usually the protagonist are revealed

Irony- difference between appearance and reality, usually one in which reality is the opposite of what it seems

Verbal Irony An author or character says something, but means something else. What is said is often the opposite of what is meant. The character is aware of the irony. The reader is aware of the irony.

Situational Irony What actually happens is not what is expected to happen. Situational irony often defies logic. The character does not expect the outcome (irony). The reader does not expect the outcome (irony).

Dramatic Irony The reader knows something about a character’s situation that the character(s) does not know. The character is unaware of the irony. The reader is aware of the irony.

Theme The statement about life that the author wants to convey to the reader. A universal message that transcends space and time I like to call it the “moral” of the story.

In longer works of fiction, the central theme is often accompanied by a number of lesser, related themes (called motifs), or there may be two or more central themes. Themes should be stated as a generalization.

A symbol represents an idea, quality, or concept larger than itself.

Other Important “Stuff” Allusion- an indirect reference to a famous work of art, literature, or a significant person place, event, or thing in history. Atmosphere- the prevailing emotion and mental climate of a piece of fiction Dialogue- the reproduction of a conversation between two of the characters. Imagery- descriptive words and phrases that re-create sensory experiences. Idiom- expression that has a meaning different from the meaning of its individual words.

Foreshadowing- a writer’s use of hints or clues to indicate events to indicate events that will occur later in the plot. Style- a writer’s individual and distinct way of writing. The total qualities that distinguish one author’s writing from another’s. Personification- a figure of speech in which human qualities are given to an object, animal, or idea.

Narrator- the voice that relates the story’s events to the reader. Hyperbole- a figure of speech in which the truth is exaggerated for emphasis or humorous effect. Inference- the process of using prior knowledge, combined with information from text, in order to draw conclusions.