Elements of Fiction Setting Plot Character and Theme

Elements of Fiction Setting, Plot, Character, and Theme

Fiction: A Genre of Literature n n Works of prose that have imaginary elements Can be inspired by actual events and real people, but springs from writers’ imaginations 2 major types: Novels and Short Stories 4 Basic Elements: Setting, Plot, Character, and Theme

#1 SETTING n n Tells us WHERE and WHEN a story takes place Can reveal about the characters Can provide MOOD or ATMOSPHERE Expresses a TONE (attitude toward a subject or character)

#2 PLOT n n n Sequence of events that make up a story Almost always built around CONFLICTS (problems or struggles) 5 main stages 1. Exposition 2. Rising Actions 3. Climax 4. Falling Actions 5. Resolution

Plot Diagram Turning point in the story; Most tension or suspense; Can be anywhere in the novel Climax Actions following climax; Conflict starts to resolve ll Fa in Development of complications & problems leading to the climax; Suspense builds & plot “thickens” s sin g. A ct on io cti ns g. A Ri Resolution Conflict ↑ & Tension ↑ Exposition Complications Grow Introduction – background info; Sets the stage for the story; Introduces characters, setting, & conflict (Denouement) French: “untying of knots” Conclusion Final outcome of the story

ü for Understanding n FICTION is real or not real. n What is PLOT built around? n Define CONFLICT. n Explain the 5 stages of PLOT: 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) n What is the French term for Resolution?

Conflicts in a Plot n n Conflict – struggle or problem 2 main kinds: External vs. Internal 1) External – a struggle outside of the character; against someone or something else 2) Internal – a struggle within a character’s mind or heart

Types of Conflict n 4 types Self Society Person vs. Nature Person

Sequence & Development of Plot n n Author’s carefully choose the sequence of events and the timeline in which the plot is developed (the order the events are presented) Chronological Order, Reverse Order Flashback START Presents episodes/events From the past Foreshadow TIME LINE Hints or clues of what Is to happen later on Flash-Forward END Jumps ahead to Future events

#3 CHARACTER n Main Characters n n n Protagonist: the main character; often the narrator Antagonist: character that the protagonist struggles against and must overcome Subordinate Characters n Minor characters who add depth and complication

Describing a Character n Round vs. Flat Characters n n n Round: have several sides to their personality; complex, fully developed Flat: have few traits; Undeveloped Dynamic vs. Static Characters n n Dynamic: grow or change by the end of the story; take action, change behavior or attitudes Static: don’t grow or change; stay the same

What is Characterization? n n The way writers create characters in a story 2 ways: n n Direct Characterization – tells us directly what a character is like or what a person’s motives are Indirect Characterization – shows us a character but we have to interpret the character ourselves

What are the methods of INDIRECT Characterization? n Character’s SPEECH n n n 1 st person narration – character speaks directly to the reader Dialogue – what they have to say to themselves and to others Character’s APPEARANCE – look & dress Character’s PRIVATE THOUGHTS Character’s INTERACTIONS – how other characters in the story feel about them or interact with them Character ACTIONS – what they do & how they act

# 4 THEME n n Theme- Is the central message of a story that gives the reader insight about life BIG IDEA + AUTHOR’S BELIEF = STATEMENT OF THEME (1 -2 sentences)

# 5 SYMBOLISM n n A SYMBOL is a thing, person, or idea that represents another larger idea. Authors use symbols to enhance theme or to give readers a greater understanding of a key idea in a story. For example, a dove represents ______.