Elements of Fiction

Fiction Writing that comes from an author’s imagination. Writing that comes from an author’s imagination. Realistic Fiction Realistic Fiction Historical Fiction Historical Fiction Fantasy Fantasy Science Fiction Science Fiction Purpose of Fiction: to entertain Purpose of Fiction: to entertain

2 Forms of Fiction Short Story Short Story Novel Novel

Short Story Revolves around a single idea Revolves around a single idea Is short enough to be read in one sitting Is short enough to be read in one sitting

Novel Longer and more complex Longer and more complex Usually contains several chapters or sections Usually contains several chapters or sections

Bell Ringer Have your Elements of Fiction notes out and your textbooks open to p. 16. Have your Elements of Fiction notes out and your textbooks open to p. 16.

Characters Characters Characters People, animals, or imaginary creatures who take part in the action of a story. People, animals, or imaginary creatures who take part in the action of a story. Main Characters and Minor Characters Main Characters and Minor Characters Defined by their traits and motives Defined by their traits and motives Can be dynamic or static Can be dynamic or static

Characters Major (Main) Character Major (Main) Character Most important character in the story Most important character in the story Minor Character Minor Character Provide part of the background of the story

Setting Setting Setting Time and place a story takes place Time and place a story takes place Past, Present, or Future Past, Present, or Future

Plot Sequence of events in a story Sequence of events in a story The sequence unfolds in this manner: The sequence unfolds in this manner: Exposition Exposition Rising Action Rising Action Climax Climax Falling Action Falling Action Resolution Resolution

Plot: Exposition Sets the stage for the story Sets the stage for the story Characters are introduced, setting is described, and conflict begins Characters are introduced, setting is described, and conflict begins

Plot: Rising Action Struggles leading to excitement of the story occur. Struggles leading to excitement of the story occur. Events are building up to the climax Events are building up to the climax

Plot: Climax Highest point of interest or suspense in story (peak is reached) Highest point of interest or suspense in story (peak is reached) Usually results in a major change in the characters or a solution to a problem Usually results in a major change in the characters or a solution to a problem

Plot: Falling Action The results of the climax are revealed The results of the climax are revealed

Plot: Resolution Conclusion of the story Conclusion of the story Loose ends are tied up and story ends Loose ends are tied up and story ends

Conflict Struggles between opposing forces in a story Struggles between opposing forces in a story Two types of conflict: Two types of conflict: External or Internal External or Internal

External Conflict External Conflict External Conflict Struggles take place between outside forces Struggles take place between outside forces Character vs. Character Character vs. Character Character vs. Nature Character vs. Nature Character vs. Machine Character vs. Machine Character vs. Society Character vs. Society

Internal Conflict Internal Internal Struggle takes place within a character’s mind Struggle takes place within a character’s mind Character vs. Self Character vs. Self

Point of View The perspective from which a story is told. The perspective from which a story is told. 1 st Person Narrator 1 st Person Narrator 3 rd Person Omniscient Narrator 3 rd Person Omniscient Narrator 3 rd Person Limited Narrator 3 rd Person Limited Narrator

Point of View 1 st Person Narrator 1 st Person Narrator Definition: Narrator is one of the characters Characteristics Uses I, me, and we Uses I, me, and we Character tells their story as it is happening Character tells their story as it is happening

Point of View 3 rd Person Omniscient 3 rd Person Omniscient Definition: All-knowing Narrator knows everything about the characters Characteristics Sees in the minds of multiple characters Sees in the minds of multiple characters Reveals thoughts and feelings of all characters Reveals thoughts and feelings of all characters

Point of View 3 rd Person Limited Narrator 3 rd Person Limited Narrator Not a character in the story Not a character in the story Uses he and they Uses he and theyCharacteristics One character’s thinking One character’s thinking One character’s beliefs One character’s beliefs One character’s feelings One character’s feelings

Theme Definition: Central idea or main message of the story Characteristics Meaning or moral Meaning or moral Most themes are not stated directly Most themes are not stated directly

Theme Examples Friendship Friendship Survival Survival Family Relationships Family Relationships Death Death