elements of fiction fiction writing that comes from an author’s imagination. writing that comes...

Elements of FictionElements of Fiction

FictionFiction

Writing that comes from an author’s Writing that comes from an author’s imagination. imagination. Realistic FictionRealistic FictionHistorical FictionHistorical FictionFantasyFantasyScience FictionScience Fiction

Purpose of Fiction: to entertainPurpose of Fiction: to entertain

2 Forms of Fiction2 Forms of Fiction

Short StoryShort Story

NovelNovel

Short StoryShort Story

Revolves around a single ideaRevolves around a single idea Is short enough to be read in one Is short enough to be read in one

sittingsitting

NovelNovel

Longer and more complexLonger and more complexUsually contains several chapters or Usually contains several chapters or

sectionssections

Bell RingerBell Ringer

Have your Elements of Fiction notes Have your Elements of Fiction notes out and your textbooks open to p. out and your textbooks open to p. 16.16.

CharactersCharacters

CharactersCharactersPeople, animals, or imaginary creatures People, animals, or imaginary creatures

who take part in the action of a story.who take part in the action of a story.

Main Characters and Minor CharactersMain Characters and Minor Characters

Defined by their traits and motivesDefined by their traits and motivesCan be Can be dynamicdynamic or or staticstatic

CharactersCharacters

Major (Main) Major (Main) CharacterCharacter Most important Most important

character in the character in the storystory

Minor CharacterMinor Character Provide part of the Provide part of the

background of the background of the storystory

SettingSetting

SettingSettingTime and place a story takes placeTime and place a story takes place

Past, Present, or FuturePast, Present, or Future

PlotPlot

Sequence of events in a storySequence of events in a storyThe sequence unfolds in this manner:The sequence unfolds in this manner:

ExpositionExpositionRising ActionRising ActionClimaxClimaxFalling ActionFalling ActionResolutionResolution

Plot: ExpositionPlot: Exposition

Sets the stage for the storySets the stage for the storyCharacters are introduced, setting is Characters are introduced, setting is

described, and conflict beginsdescribed, and conflict begins

Plot: Rising ActionPlot: Rising Action

Struggles leading to excitement of Struggles leading to excitement of the story occur.the story occur.

Events are building up to the climaxEvents are building up to the climax

Plot: ClimaxPlot: Climax

Highest point of interest or suspense Highest point of interest or suspense in story (peak is reached)in story (peak is reached)

Usually results in a major change in Usually results in a major change in the characters or a solution to a the characters or a solution to a problemproblem

Plot: Falling ActionPlot: Falling Action

The results of the climax are The results of the climax are revealedrevealed

Plot: ResolutionPlot: Resolution

Conclusion of the storyConclusion of the story

Loose ends are tied up and story Loose ends are tied up and story endsends

ConflictConflict

Struggles between opposing forces in Struggles between opposing forces in a storya story

Two types of conflict:Two types of conflict:External or InternalExternal or Internal

External ConflictExternal Conflict

External ConflictExternal ConflictStruggles take place between outside Struggles take place between outside

forcesforces

Character vs. CharacterCharacter vs. CharacterCharacter vs. NatureCharacter vs. NatureCharacter vs. MachineCharacter vs. MachineCharacter vs. SocietyCharacter vs. Society

Internal ConflictInternal Conflict

InternalInternalStruggle takes place within a character’s Struggle takes place within a character’s

mindmind

Character vs. SelfCharacter vs. Self

Point of ViewPoint of View

The perspective from which a story is The perspective from which a story is told.told.

11stst Person Narrator Person Narrator33rdrd Person Omniscient Person Omniscient33rdrd Person Narrator Person Narrator33rdrd Person Limited Person Limited

Point of ViewPoint of View

11stst Person Narrator Person NarratorNarrator is one of the charactersNarrator is one of the charactersUses I, me, and weUses I, me, and we

33rdrd Person Narrator Person NarratorNot a characterNot a characterUses he, she, they, and themUses he, she, they, and them

Point of ViewPoint of View

33rdrd Person Omniscient Person OmniscientAll knowingAll knowingNarrator knows everything about the Narrator knows everything about the

characterscharactersSees in their mindsSees in their mindsReveals thoughts and feelings of all Reveals thoughts and feelings of all

characterscharacters

Point of ViewPoint of View

33rdrd Person Limited Person LimitedNot in the storyNot in the storyNarrator tells us what one person thinks, Narrator tells us what one person thinks,

believes, and feelsbelieves, and feels

ThemeTheme

Central idea of the storyCentral idea of the storyMeaning or moralMeaning or moralMost themes are not stated directlyMost themes are not stated directlyExamplesExamples

FriendshipFriendshipSurvivalSurvivalFamily RelationshipsFamily RelationshipsDeathDeath