Elements of Fiction

1. Elements of Fiction The Basics of Understanding Literature

2. Overall Learning Target • I can define, identify and analyze the elements of fiction individually and as used in a story.

3. The Very Basics • Fiction • Any writing or story that is made up • Opposite of…nonfiction

4. Characters People who take part in the story!!

5. Main Characters Characters who the events of the story center around.

6. Minor Characters Less important characters. The story does not revolve around them.

7. Protagonist • The “good guy.” The leading character in a particular story.

8. Antagonist • The “bad guy.” The character who strives against the protagonist.

9. Setting Time and place events occur in story.

10. Point of View • The view point of the story - Who the story is told by • 1st person – words like “I,” “you,” and “me.” • 3rd person limited – words like “he,” “she,” and “they.” • 3rd person omniscient (all knowing)– the narrator can see into the thoughts of more than one character. They “know all.”

11. Plot • Chain of related events that make up the story. • Plot centers on at least one major problem or conflict.

12. The Plot Diagram 3. 2. 4. 1. 5.

13. #1 - Exposition 1. • Background information a reader needs to know. • Can be about characters, setting, conflict, etc. • Continues throughout the story. Not just at the beginning.

14. #2 Rising Action • When the chain of events becomes more complex • Creates desire to know what comes next. 2.

15. #3 - Climax 3. • Peak of story’s intensity • Most exciting part • Often involves an important event or decision.

16. #4 – Falling Action • The events describing the results of the climax 4.

17. #5 - Resolution 5 • Tells how the story ends • Not all stories have a resolution!!

18. Theme • Main idea or message an author wishes to share • The “moral” of the story • Novels often have more than one theme • Rarely stated directly. The reader has to interpret.

19. Foreshadowing • Clues or hints to suggest later plot events

20. Tone • The attitude of the author towards the audience or the subject matter • Set by word choice • Examples: • The dark, gloomy house loomed over our heads in dreary silence. • Each fabulous moment is thrilling and exciting!

21. Style/Voice • How a writer expresses himself or herself. • Their writing personality

22. Conflict • The major problem in a story. • Internal • person vs. self • External • person vs. person • person vs. society • person vs. nature

23. Irony • Situational irony – where an event occurs which is unexpected because it is the exact opposite of what we thought would happen. • Example: I love chocolate. I love it so much. Any time I get a chance to eat chocolate I will. I have posters of chocolate everywhere in my room. My freezer is full of chocolate ice cream. I eat about 5 pounds of chocolate a day. I went to a party, and the host asked me if I wanted chocolate or vanilla ice cream. I chose vanilla.

24. Imagery • Words or phrases that appeal to the senses • Make a picture in your mind • Examples: • Sight – “big, blue eyes like the ocean” • Sound – “a thundering boom filled the room” • Touch – “The puppy’s fur was soft and fluffy.” • Taste – “The hot, spicy sauce burned my tongue.” • Smell – “The putrid odor of the rancid meat made me gag.”