The Elements and Forms of Fiction

1. Elements of Fiction Elements of Fiction

2. Fiction Fiction Writing that comes from an authors imagination. Writing that comes from an authors imagination. Realistic Fiction Realistic Fiction Historical Fiction Historical Fiction Fantasy Fantasy Science Fiction Science Fiction Purpose of Fiction: to entertain Purpose of Fiction: to entertain

3. 2 Forms of Fiction 2 Forms of Fiction Short Story Short Story Novel Novel

4. Short Story Short Story Revolves around a single idea Revolves around a single idea Is short enough to be read in one sitting Is short enough to be read in one sitting

5. Novel Novel Longer and more complex Longer and more complex Usually contains several chapters or sections Usually contains several chapters or sections

6. Bell Ringer Bell Ringer Have your Elements of Fiction notes out and your textbooks open to p. 16. Have your Elements of Fiction notes out and your textbooks open to p. 16.

7. Characters Characters Characters Characters People, animals, or imaginary creatures who take part in the action of a story. People, animals, or imaginary creatures who take part in the action of a story. Main Characters and Minor Characters Main Characters and Minor Characters Defined by their traits and motives Defined by their traits and motives Can be dynamic or static Can be dynamic or static

8. Characters Characters Major (Main) Character Major (Main) Character Most important character in the story Most important character in the story Minor Character Minor Character Provide part of the background of the story

9. Setting Setting Setting Setting Time and place a story takes place Time and place a story takes place Past, Present, or Future Past, Present, or Future

10. Plot Plot Sequence of events in a story Sequence of events in a story The sequence unfolds in this manner: The sequence unfolds in this manner: Exposition Exposition Rising Action Rising Action Climax Climax Falling Action Falling Action Resolution Resolution

11. Plot: Exposition Plot: Exposition Sets the stage for the story Sets the stage for the story Characters are introduced, setting is described, and conflict begins Characters are introduced, setting is described, and conflict begins

12. Plot: Rising Action Plot: Rising Action Struggles leading to excitement of the story occur. Struggles leading to excitement of the story occur. Events are building up to the climax Events are building up to the climax

13. Plot: Climax Plot: Climax Highest point of interest or suspense in story (peak is reached) Highest point of interest or suspense in story (peak is reached) Usually results in a major change in the characters or a solution to a problem Usually results in a major change in the characters or a solution to a problem

14. Plot: Falling Action Plot: Falling Action The results of the climax are revealed The results of the climax are revealed

15. Plot: Resolution Plot: Resolution Conclusion of the story Conclusion of the story Loose ends are tied up and story ends Loose ends are tied up and story ends

16. Conflict Conflict Struggles between opposing forces in a story Struggles between opposing forces in a story Two types of conflict: Two types of conflict: External or Internal External or Internal

17. External Conflict External Conflict External Conflict External Conflict Struggles take place between outside forces Struggles take place between outside forces Character vs. Character Character vs. Character Character vs. Nature Character vs. Nature Character vs. Machine Character vs. Machine Character vs. Society Character vs. Society

18. Internal Conflict Internal Conflict Internal Internal Struggle takes place within a characters mind Struggle takes place within a characters mind Character vs. Self Character vs. Self

19. Point of View Point of View The perspective from which a story is told. The perspective from which a story is told. 1 st Person Narrator 1 st Person Narrator 3 rd Person Omniscient 3 rd Person Omniscient 3 rd Person Narrator 3 rd Person Narrator 3 rd Person Limited 3 rd Person Limited

20. Point of View Point of View 1 st Person Narrator 1 st Person Narrator Narrator is one of the characters Narrator is one of the characters Uses I, me, and we Uses I, me, and we 3 rd Person Narrator 3 rd Person Narrator Not a character Not a character Uses he, she, they, and them Uses he, she, they, and them

21. Point of View Point of View 3 rd Person Omniscient 3 rd Person Omniscient All knowing All knowing Narrator knows everything about the characters Narrator knows everything about the characters Sees in their minds Sees in their minds Reveals thoughts and feelings of all characters Reveals thoughts and feelings of all characters

22. Point of View Point of View 3 rd Person Limited 3 rd Person Limited Not in the story Not in the story Narrator tells us what one person thinks, believes, and feels Narrator tells us what one person thinks, believes, and feels

23. Theme Theme Central idea of the story Central idea of the story Meaning or moral Meaning or moral Most themes are not stated directly Most themes are not stated directly Examples Examples Friendship Friendship Survival Survival Family Relationships Family Relationships Death Death