Elements of Fiction Setting Mood Tone Character Dialogue

Elements of Fiction • Setting • Mood & Tone • Character • Dialogue & Dialect • Plot • Foreshadowing • Theme • Irony • Point of View • Flashback • Symbolism • Imagery • Style

n Setting n n the time, place or period in which the action takes place Can establish the atmosphere of a story n Sensory Details “During the whole of a dull, dark, and soundless day in the autumn of the year, when the clouds hung oppressively low in the heavens, I had been passing alone, on horseback, through a singularly dreary tract of country. ” “The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allan Poe

n Character n Static Characters: n Do not experience personal change – Static= Same Dynamic Characters: Experience a personal change throughout the story – Dynamic= Different n The people (or animals, things, etc. presented as people) appearing in a story. – Types of Characters: n Protagonist-The leading character in a story who possess the main conflict. n Antagonist- The character who opposes, is working against the protagonist

CHARACTERIZATION: An author can give information about a character by describing several aspects of the character: • Physical appearance & Personality (Character Traits) • Speech, behavior, actions thoughts and feelings of the character • Interactions with other characters, how other characters behave, act, feel, speak to and think about the character • The author’s direct comments about the character

n n 1 st Person – One character’s point of view – “I”, “We”, “Me” Narration POINT-OF-VIEW n 3 rd person Narrated by someone outside the story – “he”, “she”, “they”, “them” Objective: told by someone who just tells the story and does not show any character’s emotions or thoughts Limited: told by someone who can see, feel and hear ONLY ONE of the characters emotions and thoughts Omniscient: told by someone who can see, feel and hear ALL of the characters emotions and thoughts

n Plot n The series of events and actions that takes place in a story. Climax: The turning point. Not always overly exciting. If it doesn’t happen the story will continue in the same direction Rising Action: the series of conflicts and crisis in the story that lead to the climax. Exposition: The start of the story. Falling Action: all of the action which follows the Climax. Resolution: The conclusion, the tying together of all of the threads.

n Plot cont. (Rising Action) n Conflict n Character VS Character External n Character VS Nature External n Character VS Society External n Character Internal VS Himself

THEME Lesson or moral learned in the story Central idea of the story Never just one word!

SYMBOLISM A symbol is something concrete— such as a person, place, or object— that signifies something more than just itself, something abstract, such as a concept or an idea. Some symbols you will probably be familiar with already. A heart symbolizes __________ A dove symbolizes __________

STYLE Style is the way writers express their ideas. It’s how they say something, not what they say. Style involves these three elements: • Word choice • Sentence structure and length • Literary devices, such as figurative language, symbols, dialogue, and imagery

Tone The writer’s attitude toward the subject matter. Mood The mood of a literary work is the feelings that a writer wants readers to have while reading. It’s the atmosphere that’s created. Writers can choose words, phrases, and images to create a whole range of moods—from anger and sadness to excitement and fear.

Dialogue It is written conversation between two or more characters. Writers use dialogue to bring characters to life and to give readers insights into the characters’ qualities, traits, and reactions to other characters.

Dialect A dialect is a form of a language that is spoken in a particular place or by a particular group of people. Dialects may feature unique pronunciations, vocabulary, and grammar.

Foreshadowing occurs when a writer provides hints that suggest future events in a story. Foreshadowing creates suspense and makes readers eager to find out what will happen.

Irony is a contrast between what is expected and what actually exists or happens. Exaggeration and sarcasm are techniques writers use to express irony. Dramatic- When the audience knows something the characters do not. Verbal-When a characters says one thing but means another Situational- When a situation does not have the expected outcome

Flashback A flashback is an interruption of the action to communicate events that took place at an earlier time. It provides information that can help a reader better understand a character’s current situation.

Imagery consists of words and phrases that appeal to a reader’s five senses. Writers use sensory details to help the reader imagine how things look, feel, smell, sound, and taste.