More about Short Fiction Elements of Fiction Plot

More about Short Fiction Elements of Fiction

Plot Remember, all the elements of fiction work together to unify the story as a whole. Plot-arrangement of events that make up a story. Ø Effective plots=sequence of incidents tht have a significant causal relationship. Ø Causality=important to realistic fiction (one thing happens as a result of another) Ø Example: The king died and the queen died of grief.

Plot Diagram (Review the plot elements)

Important notes about plot � Most plots don’t follow � Whatever the plot, the a rigid chronological structure writer has ordered the events for a specific purpose or impact on the reader � The reader should be conscious of how different incidents/events within the plot make them feel (experience) � Interrogate the text-Ask why the writer chose to order the events as they are presented in the text. � Through the plot writers: Control our emotional responses Vary the tempo of the action Prepare the reader for surprises or reversals

A second look at Kate Chopin In your group, review “The Story of an Hour” and answer the following questions. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. The very beginning of the story references what causality incidents? Where in the story does the tempo seem to slow down? The story has two ironic twists. The first involves Mrs. Mallard’s reaction. Explain. The last ironic twist is a climatic reversal of events. What was it? Why do you think Chopin chose to present her story in the order that she did?

Structure � Structure must be examined in relation to � Plot=sequence of the unfolding action vs. plot. structure=design or form of the completed action. � Differences: causality vs. patterns and shape � Story in motion vs story at rest � Structure provides balance, arrangement, order-aesthetically pleasing � It provides a clue to the meaning of the story

Structure cont’d �Looks fors: • Repeated elements • Recurrent details—of action and gesture, of • • dialogue and description Shifts in direction Changes of focus Important connections and relationships between characters and ideas Shifts in direction-signaled by a change of scene, a new voice, blank space in the text