Elements of Fiction
Transcript of Elements of Fiction
Five Main Elements
Plot – what is the story about?Characterization – the people or objects the
story is about.Point of View – who is telling the story? Setting - where does the story take place?Theme – the main idea or ideas.
Lesson(s) learned
Rising Action
The events that complicate the plot. Inciting Incident or Literary Hook is sometimes used
between the Exposition and the Rising Action.
Climax
The highest point of interest or emotion in the story.
The point where the two opposing forces are strongest.
Resolution
The end of the conflict. Dénouement- Sometimes this term is used to
specifically list the ending events.
Two Types of Conflict
External- involves an outside source Man vs. Man Man vs. Nature Man vs. Society
Internal- goes on within the character Man vs. Himself
Character Development
What a character say, thinks, and feelsWay a character actsWhat others say about the characterHow others act toward the character
Protagonist
The main characterThe heroThe character that the reader becomes
emotionally involved with.
Antagonist
The character who goes up against the protagonist in the man versus man conflict.
The “villain.”…this is not always true.
Ways to Characterize
Round Character- Shows many different traits (i.e. faults, virtues) We feel as if we know the character
Flat Character- Not fully developed We only meet one side of the character
Characterization
Dynamic Character- The character has changed in someway by the end of
the story
Static Character- The character does not change throughout the story
First Person
Narrator is a characterNarrator knows the thoughts and feelings of
one characterNarrator uses words like I, me, my, we, us,
our …psst… these are personal pronouns
Second Person
Uses You while referring to you (the reader): You open the door and step outside. You notice
several of your friends running.
Not used very often Very popular in song or directions.
3rd person Omniscient
The narrator knows the thoughts, feelings, and motivations for all characters.
Setting
The Time Period a story happens in “White Fang”- early 1900s
The Place a story happens “The Tell-Tale Heart”- a spooky house.
Roles of Setting
Background for action.Adds details necessary to the story.Drives the action of the plot (the story
couldn’t take place in a different setting).
Theme
What the protagonist learns. The main idea of the story.What the reader can take and apply to his/her
life.
Work Cited
Potter, Kacey. Man vs. Nature. Digital image. Engrade. Wiki. Retrieved on 31 Oct. 2014 from https://wikis.engrade.com/literaryconflict
---. Man vs. Society. Digital image. Engrade. Wiki. Retrieved on 31 Oct. 2014 from https://wikis.engrade.com/literaryconflict
Sloan, Barbara J. Plot Structure Diagram. Digital image. Engaging Faith. Ava Maria Press, 29 Aug. 2011. Retrieved on 31 Oct. 2014 from https://www.avemariapress.com/engagingfaith/2011/08/introducing-course-plot-structure-diagram/
Sonato Das. Jason Booth vs. Willie Casey. Digital image. Boxing Mania. Blog, 14 Jul. 2012. Retrieved on 31 Oct. 2014 from http://boxnigmania.blogspot.com/2012/07/watch-jason-booth-vs-willie-casey-live.html
STARWARS.COM TEAM. Darth Vader. Digital image. Starwars.com. Databank. Retrieved on 31 Oct. 2014 from http://www.starwars.com/databank/darth-vader
“Superman.” Heroes Wikia. Digital image. Wiki. Retrieved on 31 Oct. 2014 from http://hero.wikia.com/wiki/Superman
Tebeau, Colleen Newvine. Internal Conflict. Digital image. Newvine Growing. Wordpress, 28 Feb. 2010. Retrieved on 31 Oct. 2014 from http://newvinegrowing.wordpress.com/2010/02/28/silencing-your-inner-critic/