Elements of Fiction The Main Elements Plot Setting

Elements of Fiction

The Main Elements • • Plot Setting Character Conflict Symbol Point of View Used by fiction writers to develop a story and its Theme.

Plot • Plot is the literary element that describes the structure of a story. • Shows the arrangement of events and actions within a story. – Exposition- Start of the story. Gives basic details the reader will need to know. – Rising Action- Series of conflicts and crisis leading up to the Climax – Climax- turning point. This is the most intense moment in the story. It can be emotionally intense or intense due to action going on. – Falling action- all of the action following the climax. – Resolution- conclusion or ending of the story. Loose threads are tied together.

Plot Diagram

Setting • Where the story takes place • Physical/Geographical- Place the story takes place, Ex: Mountain Home, Paris, Peru, etc • Time period- When in time the story takes place. Ex: WWII, Present, etc • Socio-Economic Characteristics- wealthy suburbs, city during the depression, etc • Specific places- Where exactly the story is set. Ex: A school house, a field, etc.

Character • The people (or animals or things, depending on the story) who appear in a story. – Round Characters- convincing and true to life. Have many personality traits – Flat Characters- stereotyped, shallow characters who only show one or two traits. Often are symbolic. – Dynamic Characters- undergo change and development throughout the story due to something happening to them or in their lives – Static Characters- do not change over the course of the story

Character • Protagonist- Main character in a story. Ex: Cinderella • Antagonist- Character opposing the protagonist. Ex: Cinderella’s stepmother • Direct characterization: the author develops the character through direct statements. Ex: Cinderella was beautiful and nice. • Indirect Characterization: Devoloping a character through their thoughts, what they say, comments made by other characters about them, and their physical appearance.

Conflict • Conflict is a struggle between two forces. • Two types: internal and external • Internal conflict: conflict within a person, with themselves. • External conflict: Conflict outside of a person. This can be a conflict with nature, with society or with a person

Symbol • Represents an idea, quality, or concept larger than itself. – A journey could symbolize life – Water could represent cleanliness and renewal – A lion could represent courage – A rose could represent love

Point of View • The perspective from which the story is being told. – Who is telling the story? – How do we know what is happening? • Different points of view: – Omniscient- Author is telling the story directly. Knows everything going on, and what each character is thinking. – Limited Omniscient/Third Person- Told from a character in the story. Knows all. – First Person- Told from a character’s point of view. Uses “I”

Theme • Central idea or message in the story. • Usually contains some insight into the human condition and life. • Can be stated directly or implied through the story’s actions and events.