Fiction is based on:

1. Fiction is based on: • Imaginary people • Imaginary places • Imaginary events

2. Two forms of fiction I. Short stories 1. revolves around a single idea 2. is short enough to be read in one sitting 3. contains very concise events

3. Novel • 1. Intended to be read in multiple • sittings • 2. Revolves around multiple • related ideas • 3. Contains multiple detailed • related events

4. Elements of Fictions Characters – the people, animals, or imaginary creatures that take part in the action of the story

5. Main character – a single character whose life events are the center of action in a story. Ex: Grandma Dowdel from “A Long Way From Chicago” Characters

6. Minor Characters – people, animals, or creatures who sometimes provide part of the background in a story. They often interact with the main character. Their actions and words move the plot along. Characters

7. Setting Setting is: • Time • Place • Atmosphere Ex. It was a dark and starry night. The stranger stood at the crossroads in utter confusion.

8. Plot Plot- the sequence of events as they occur in the story. Ex. The small girl ran into the house with her hair and clothing dripping wet. Her feet slipped on the the wood floor, sending her sprawling across the room. In an effort to break her fall she grabbed at the closest solid object. CRASH! The irreplaceable Ming vase shattered as it hit the floor. 1st event 2nd event 3rd event 4th event Girl ran in wet She slips She grabs For anything To keep from falling Priceless Vase breaks

9. Plot • The plot of a story can be divided into 4 major parts: • Exposition – the beginning of the story • 1. Sets the stage for the story • 2. Characters are introduced • 3. Setting is described • 4. Conflict begins to unfold

10. Plot • Conflict – the struggle between two opposing forces. There are two primary categories for conflict: 1. Internal conflict – the character struggles with his own ego or with his own emotions a. Man vs. himself

11. Plot • External conflict – the character struggles with forces outside himself a. Man vs. nature – the character struggles with some type of natural occurrence ex: a character caught in a blizzard as he climbs Mt. Everest b. Man vs. man – the character is at odds with another person ex: John Isner faces James Blake at the US Open

12. Plot c. Man vs. society – the character struggles with a common view or policy ex: A young girl fights to play on an all male football team

13. Plot • Climax – the highest point of interest and action in a story • the turning point • Peak of action • Usually results in a change in the characters or a solution to the conflict

14. Plot Rising Action – the series of conflicts and crisis in the story that leads to the climax Complications – anything that keeps the main character from reaching his or her goal Falling action – all of the action that occurs after the climax of a story

15. Plot • Resolution – the conclusion of the story • Loose ends are tied up • All information is revealed to the characters and the reader • The story comes to a close

16. Theme • Theme is the life lesson that is to be learned by reading a piece of literature • No two readers will state the theme of a story exactly the same.

17. Point of View • Point of view is the vantage point from which the story is being told 1st person point of view: The narrator is included in the action of the story. The narrator refers to himself as “I” and to the group of characters as “we”. 3rd person point of view: The narrator is not included in the action of the story. The narrator uses pronouns such as he, she, and they.