The Elements of Fiction

1. The Elements of Fiction

2. Setting fiction the time, place, and general environment in which a piece of fiction occurs

3. Functions …makes fiction more credible/believable …to establish mood …to illuminate/highlight a character • setting can be similar to a character • setting can contrast with a character …to provide a source of conflict

4. All the Places to Loveby Patricia MacLachlan Answer the following questions in your RS • Is the setting established briefly or in great detail? Explain. • Is the time and place clearly defined or is it vague and unclear? • Does the writer give you clues to the setting? If so, what are they? • Is the setting important in this story? Could the story be successful without the setting? Could the story take place somewhere else? • How does it establish mood? What is the mood?

5. Characterization • the method an author uses to get the reader to know the characters • the act of creating and developing the characters • development of characters

6. Techniques of Characterization • Speech - look at what a character says to other characters • Thought - look at what a character thinks; this tells us more than what he/she just says • Actions - look at what a character does • Appearance - look at the way a character appears/dresses/looks; may reveal personality • Conversation of others - look at what other characters say about a character • Author’s direct comments - the author tells you what you should think/know about the character(s)

7. Character Web for Russell from “No Gumption” Russell A Writer Salesman for the SEP Feels Rejected No Gumption Lazy

8. A Boy Called Slowby Joseph Bruchac What do we learn about Slow through • his speech? • his thoughts? • his actions? • his appearance? • the conversation of others? • the author’s direct comments?

9. Plot the sequence of events that make up a story Three different time orders… • chronological • flashback • interweaving

10. Story Pattern of the Plot • Exposition • Rising Action • Climax • Resolution/Denouement

11. Four Conflicts • man v himself • man v man • man v environment • man v supernatural

12. Foreshadowing • points or hints toward future events • builds tension or suspense • prepares readers to predict or anticipate future events

13. Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg • Did the author use chronological, flashback, or interweaving order? • Make a chart and list events in the Exposition; Rising Action; Climax; Resolution/Denouement. • What was the conflict? How do you know? • man v himself • man v man • man v environment • man v supernatural • Was there foreshadowing? Was the plot completely resolved? Does the tension continue?

14. Exposition • Parents go out for night • Peter and Judy get bored • Find Jumanji at park • Instructions say game MUST end once it is started

15. Rising Action • Peter rolls, and lion attacks • Wants to quit, Judy says, “No.” • Judy rolls, and monkeys appear in kitchen • Peter causes monsoon season to begin • Guide gets lost when Judy rolls • Peter gets sleeping sickness • Rhinos stampede on Judy’s turn • Peter wakes up, and rolls; python appears • Volcano erupts causing steam to fill room

16. Climax • Judy gets free roll with shortcut • She gets two sixes • Slams piece on board and yells, “JUMANJI!” • Everything disappears • Kids put game in box • Game is placed back under tree

17. Resolution/Denouement • Parents wake up kids • Get ready for dinner • Talk with Mrs. Budwing • Daniel and Walter are seen with box in park • Hmmm???

18. Man v… • Himself? • Man? • Environment? • Supernatural?

19. Point of View the vantage point or perspective from which fiction is told Types • First Person or Personal • First Person Observer • Third Person or Omniscient

20. Symbol anything that stands for or represents an idea or something else a shortcut to meaning

21. Two Types of Symbols • Conventional – universally agreed upon ideas • Created – author creates it him/herself

22. Fly Away Homeby Eve Bunting • From what point of view was the story told? How do you know? • What is a symbol from the story? What does it represent? Is it conventional or created?

23. Fly Away Homeby Eve Bunting • How important was settingin the story? • Which of the six techniques of characterization were used? • What was the climaxof the story? • What was the major conflict? How do we know?

24. Mood feeling/atmosphere created by a piece of fiction the emotional charge of a piece of fiction Mood is created by • plot. • characters. • setting. • author’s word choice.

25. The Widow’s Broomby Chris Van Allsburg Answer the following questions in your RS: • How would you describe the mood? • How is the moodset by the plot? characters? setting? • What was the climaxof the story? • What was the conflict?

26. Theme the central message, concern, or purpose of a work of fiction • not a summary of the plot • stimulates the intellect • may be • stated (the author tells you) • implied (you have to figure it out on your own)

27. The Wretched Stoneby Chris Van Allsburg Answer the following questions in your RS: • What is the symbolin the book? What does it represent? Is it conventionalor created? • What is the theme? • Is it stated or implied?

28. Tone/Voice the writer’s attitude toward his/her audience and subject Tone is identified by • things the author points out. • words the author uses. • how the author writes the fiction.

29. The Three Pigsby David WeisnerThe True Story of the 3 Little Pigsby Scieszka & Smith • How would you describe the toneof each book? • What did the author point out? What words did he/she use? How did he/she write the story? • How could you change the toneto make the story different?