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Elements of Fiction
Elements of Fiction
Fiction
• Literature with imaginary people, events, or places.
It can be inspired by fact and can include some real
events or people, but also includes at least one
made-up element.
• Types of Fiction – classified according to length
• Novels – long works of fiction (main plot with conflict,
plus sub-plots with conflicts)
• Short stories – brief, focus is upon one single conflict.
• Novellas – shorter than novels but longer than short
stories.
• Example: Narnia stories (Prince Caspian)
Plot Strikes Again
• Remember from your drama notes
• Plot
• Exposition
• Rising Action
• Climax
• Falling Action
• Dénouement
Setting-Part of the Exposition
• Keep in mind these things are not always
DIRECTLY stated
• When the story takes place
• Time period
• Time of day
• Where the story took place
• Location (specific or general)
• Weather
• Context / historical background / social
conditions in which the story is set provides us
with additional plot information.
• Socio-economic characteristics of a location, etc.
Setting
in relationship to the characters or conflict
• Antagonist
• The character who opposes the
protagonist.
• NOT always the “bad” guy!
Characterization
• The process by which the author reveals
the personality of the characters.
• Different types of characters
• Different ways of getting their personalities
across
Ways to find out about the
characters
Direct Characterization Indirect Characterization
• Direct characterization is • Indirect characterization is
when the author TELLS the when the author SHOWS
audience what the things that reveal the
personality of the character personality of the character.
is. • There are FIVE different
• Example: “The patient boy methods of indirect
and quiet girl were both at the characterization: speech,
game.”
thoughts, effect on other
• The author is telling us that
the boy is patient and the girl characters, actions, and
is quiet. looks. (STEAL)
Indirect Characterization
• S: Speech
• What does the character say? How does the character
speak?
• “Hey, we can have lots of fun at camp this summer! I love
being outside!”
• This shows us the character is upbeat and happy.
• T: Thoughts
• What is revealed through the character’s thoughts and
feelings?
• I wish it would stop raining. I am tired of sitting inside!
• This shows us the character is not happy about the situation.
• E: Effect on Others
• What is revealed through the character’s effect on other people? How do other
characters feel or behave in reaction to the character?
• The boy glared at his sister as she ate his dessert.
• This shows us that the character is upset about his sister’s behavior
and inability to think of others.
• A: Actions
• What does the character do? How does the character behave?
• The girl rode the lawn mower through the house and into the garage.
• This shows us the girl is not concerned with rules or safety.
• L: Looks
• What does the character look like? How does the character
dress?
• The little girl left the game with slumped shoulders and a frown on
her face.
• This shows us the little girl is not enjoying herself and is upset.
Point of View
• Refers to the way the story is told
• The perspective (position) from which the
events are narrated
Different View Points
• First Person Point of View
• Uses word “I” or “we”
• Often used when someone is stating an opinion or
sharing a feeling
• Naïve first person narrator
– Understands LESS about events in the story than the readers do
• Ie: If the narrator is a five year old; the reader may have
a clearer understanding of the events in the story than the
child who is describing them
• Second Person
• Uses the word “you”
• Used when giving directions or speaking
directly to someone
• Almost NEVER used to tell a story
• Third Person
• Uses words “he”, “she”, “they” and
sometimes “it”
• Omniscient
– The narrator is not a character in the
story but can tell you the thoughts and
actions of all characters at all times.
(Pronouns: he, she, him, her, they,
them, etc.)
• Limited:
– The narrator is not a character in the
story but can tell you the thoughts and
actions of a few key characters at all
times. (Pronouns: he, she, him, her,
they, them, etc.)
Conflict
• The problems encountered by
the characters in the story.
• Two types
• Internal
• External
Internal Conflict
• Character Vs.
Self
• The protagonist
in the story
experiences
conflict with
her or his
conscience.
External Conflict
• Main character fights against
something or struggles to
overcome something outside of
himself.
• Character versus Nature
• Character versus Character
• Character versus Society
• Character versus Technology
• Character versus the Supernatural
• Character versus Fate
Character vs. Nature
• The
protagonist in
the story
experiences
conflict with
the elements
of nature.
Character Vs. Character
• The protagonist
in the story
experiences
conflict with
others,
especially the
antagonist.
Character vs. Society
• The protagonist in the
story experiences conflict
with society as a whole.
Character Vs. Technology
• The
protagonist
in the story
experiences
conflict with
technology.
Character Vs.
Supernatural
• The
protagonist in
the story
experiences
conflict with
unnatural
elements.
Character Vs. Fate
• When the
protagonist tries to
break free of a
predetermined path
chosen before him
prior to his
knowledge. It can
also be referred to
as an issue between
destiny and
freewill.