1. Literary Elements in Fiction Writing Literary elements are the nuts and bolts of writing, the things every story has in common. Copyright © 2010 by Gamehinge

2. Genre (The type of story) Science Fiction Fantasy Historical Fiction Mystery Realistic Fiction

3. Copyright © 2010 by Gamehinge Setting (Time & Place) Your setting must be clearly described and must fit your story. U.S. Civil War fiction can’t be set on Mars. Possible settings: Speeding Train 1920 Athens 2010 Spaceship 2020

4. Copyright © 2010 by Gamehinge Point of View 1 st Person (Narrator’s Point of View) The angry werewolf chased me up the hill. I ran down an alley. 3 rd Person (Someone else’s perspective) Raymond ran up the hill. He was running from the hungry vampire. was running from the hungry vampire.

5. Copyright © 2010 by Gamehinge Characters Characters must be believable, with good and bad qualities, just like real people. A character might be honest but resentful. Or brave but greedy. Use dialogue that fits the characters as they interact with one another.

6. Copyright © 2010 by Gamehinge Beginning, Middle & End (Problem, Goal & Solution) Problem: The monster chases Raymond. Goal: The monster plans to catch Raymond. Raymond’s goal is to find a safe hiding place. Solution: Raymond avoids the monster. Or the monster has a midnight snack.

7. Copyright © 2010 by Gamehinge Plot (Series of events that follow a logical sequence) 1. Raymond takes a midnight stroll. 2. He notices a vampire hanging out on the street corner 3. The monster spots Raymond. (Problem) 4. The monster chases Raymond. 5. Raymond looks for a place to hide. (Goal) To be continued...

8. Copyright © 2010 by Gamehinge Part 2 6. Raymond tries to open a door but it’s locked. 7. He tries to climb through a window but he can’t fit. 8. He runs down an alley and dives behind a garbage can. 9. The monster runs past like lightning. 10. Raymond waits and then comes from the shadows and strolls away. (Solution)

9. Copyright © 2010 by Gamehinge Theme or Main Idea Making a point or giving the reader new insights into an important topic. A writer might emphasize the importance of conserving energy. Characters in a story might: take shorter vacation trips. drive compact cars instead of luxury cars. ride bicycles and take walks.

10. Copyright © 2010 by Gamehinge Style (Using verbs, modifiers & similes to make your writing unique) The green, hairy monster with enormous feet clumsily followed Raymond into the dark alley. Breathless from the long chase, Raymond cautiously peeked around the battered garbage can. He saw a shadowy figure with eyes glowing like burning embers approaching his hiding place.

11. Copyright © 2010 by Gamehinge Action Action keeps the reader turning pages. When Raymond spotted the hulking monster, he yelled out in fright. The slimy creature turned and grinned, his ugly teeth dripping with saliva. Raymond, shaking uncontrollably, backed away as long, rubbery arms reached toward him. Suddenly...

12. Copyright © 2010 by Gamehinge Believability Even science fiction and fantasy have elements of truth in them. Characters and situations must be believable. Problems must have reasonable solutions.

13. Literary Elements Literary Elements Copyright © 2010 by Gamehinge