Elements of Fiction. The Elements of Fiction Some major elements of fiction are:...

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Elements of Elements of Fiction Fiction

Transcript of Elements of Fiction. The Elements of Fiction Some major elements of fiction are:...

Page 1: Elements of Fiction. The Elements of Fiction Some major elements of fiction are: *Plot*Characterization*Theme*Setting *Point of View *Style *Symbol, &

Elements of Elements of FictionFiction

Page 2: Elements of Fiction. The Elements of Fiction Some major elements of fiction are: *Plot*Characterization*Theme*Setting *Point of View *Style *Symbol, &

The Elements of FictionThe Elements of Fiction

Some major elements of fiction are:Some major elements of fiction are:*Plot*Plot*Characterization*Characterization*Theme*Theme*Setting*Setting*Point of View*Point of View*Style*Style*Symbol, & Allegory*Symbol, & Allegory**

While these elements are not all found in every work, they are While these elements are not all found in every work, they are critical to the understanding of each piece you read. critical to the understanding of each piece you read.

Page 3: Elements of Fiction. The Elements of Fiction Some major elements of fiction are: *Plot*Characterization*Theme*Setting *Point of View *Style *Symbol, &

Plot and StructurePlot and Structure

PlotPlot- The sequence of incidents or events through - The sequence of incidents or events through which an author constructs a story.which an author constructs a story.*The plot is not merely the action itself, but the way the author arranges the *The plot is not merely the action itself, but the way the author arranges the

action toward a specific end (structure).action toward a specific end (structure). Important Important elements of Plotelements of Plot::

**ConflictConflict- A clash of actions, ideas, desires, or wills- A clash of actions, ideas, desires, or willsTypes of Conflict: Types of Conflict: Person vs. Person, Person vs. Environment, Person vs. SelfPerson vs. Person, Person vs. Environment, Person vs. Self ..

**ProtagonistProtagonist- - The central character The central character in a conflict in a conflict

*Antagonist- *Antagonist- Any Any force arranged against the protagonist- force arranged against the protagonist- whether persons, whether persons, things, conventions of society, or the protagonists own personality traits.things, conventions of society, or the protagonists own personality traits.

**SuspenseSuspense- The quality in a story that - The quality in a story that makes readers ask “what’s going to makes readers ask “what’s going to happen nexthappen next?”. ?”. Usually produced through two devicesUsually produced through two devices; either ; either mystermysteryy (an unusual set of circumstances for which the reader craves an (an unusual set of circumstances for which the reader craves an explanation) or explanation) or dilemmadilemma (a position in which a character must choose (a position in which a character must choose between two courses of action, both undesirable.)between two courses of action, both undesirable.)

Page 4: Elements of Fiction. The Elements of Fiction Some major elements of fiction are: *Plot*Characterization*Theme*Setting *Point of View *Style *Symbol, &

CharacterizationCharacterization

Characters are presented in Characters are presented in two two different ways- directly and indirectlydifferent ways- directly and indirectly..• Direct Presentation-Direct Presentation- The reader is The reader is

told told straight out what the character is straight out what the character is like.like.

• Indirect Presentation-Indirect Presentation- The author The author shows the charactershows the character through their through their actionsactions; the reader determines what ; the reader determines what the character is like by the character is like by what they what they say or dosay or do..

Page 5: Elements of Fiction. The Elements of Fiction Some major elements of fiction are: *Plot*Characterization*Theme*Setting *Point of View *Style *Symbol, &

Characterization Characterization (cont.)(cont.)

Types of CharactersTypes of Characters* * Flat Characters-Flat Characters- Usually have Usually have one or two one or two predominant traitspredominant traits. The character can be . The character can be summed up in just a few lines.summed up in just a few lines.**Round Characters-Round Characters- CompleComplex and many x and many faceted; have the qualities faceted; have the qualities of real people. of real people.

**Static Character-Static Character- A character that A character that remains remains essentially the same throughout.essentially the same throughout.**Developing Character-Developing Character- A character that A character that undergoes a significant change during the undergoes a significant change during the storystory. .

Page 6: Elements of Fiction. The Elements of Fiction Some major elements of fiction are: *Plot*Characterization*Theme*Setting *Point of View *Style *Symbol, &

ThemeTheme

The theme of a piece of fiction is its The theme of a piece of fiction is its controlling idea or controlling idea or its central insightits central insight. It is the . It is the unifying generalization unifying generalization about life stated or implied by the story.about life stated or implied by the story.

While theme is central to a story, it is not the whole While theme is central to a story, it is not the whole purpose. The function of a literary writer is not to state a purpose. The function of a literary writer is not to state a theme by to bring it to life.theme by to bring it to life.

Theme does not equal “moral”, “lesson”, or “message” but Theme does not equal “moral”, “lesson”, or “message” but the idea the story focuses on.the idea the story focuses on.

Commercial themes uphold things we would like to believe Commercial themes uphold things we would like to believe are true. Literary themes are more true to life.are true. Literary themes are more true to life.

There is no prescribed method for uncovering a There is no prescribed method for uncovering a theme, however, focusing on the protagonist, the theme, however, focusing on the protagonist, the central conflict and other pieces will make the task central conflict and other pieces will make the task easier.easier.

Page 7: Elements of Fiction. The Elements of Fiction Some major elements of fiction are: *Plot*Characterization*Theme*Setting *Point of View *Style *Symbol, &

SettingSetting

The setting of a story is its overall context- where, when and in what circumstances the action occurs.

• Place- The physical environment where the story takes place. The description of the environment often points towards its importance.

• Time- when the story happens whether it be a date or time period, time of day, or point in a person’s life. To determine the importance, ask, “what was going on at that time?”

• Cultural Context- Setting also involves the social circumstances of the time and place. Consider historical events and social and political issues of the time.

• Effects of Setting- Creates atmosphere, gives insight to characters, and provides connections to other aspects of the story.

Page 8: Elements of Fiction. The Elements of Fiction Some major elements of fiction are: *Plot*Characterization*Theme*Setting *Point of View *Style *Symbol, &

Point of View (POV)Point of View (POV)

Point of View is simply who is telling the storyPoint of View is simply who is telling the story..

*To determine POV ask, “who is telling the story”, *To determine POV ask, “who is telling the story”, and “how much do they knowand “how much do they know?”?”

Omniscient POVOmniscient POV-- The story is told by a The story is told by a narrator who has narrator who has unlimited knowledge of events and characters but is not unlimited knowledge of events and characters but is not in the storyin the story..

Third Person Limited POV-Third Person Limited POV- The story is told in third The story is told in third person but person but from the view point of a character in the story. from the view point of a character in the story. POV is limited to the character’s perceptions and shows POV is limited to the character’s perceptions and shows no direct knowledge of what other characters are thinking, no direct knowledge of what other characters are thinking, feeling, or doing.feeling, or doing.

*Stream of Consciousness- presents the random thoughts *Stream of Consciousness- presents the random thoughts going through a character’s head within a certain period going through a character’s head within a certain period of time. of time.

First Person POV- First Person POV- The author is the main character. The author is the main character. Shares the limitations of third person limited. Shares the limitations of third person limited. Uses the Uses the pronouns “I” and “we”.pronouns “I” and “we”.

Page 9: Elements of Fiction. The Elements of Fiction Some major elements of fiction are: *Plot*Characterization*Theme*Setting *Point of View *Style *Symbol, &

Style• Style is the manner in which an

author uses words, constructs sentences, incorporates non-literal expressions, and handles rhythm, timing, and tone.

• When asked to discuss style, you are being asked to describe how or explain why the words, sentences, and imaginative comparisons are effective in terms of what is being created.

Page 10: Elements of Fiction. The Elements of Fiction Some major elements of fiction are: *Plot*Characterization*Theme*Setting *Point of View *Style *Symbol, &

Symbol & AllegorySymbol & Allegory

SymbolSymbol- Something that means more than what it - Something that means more than what it suggests on the surface. Can be a name, object, suggests on the surface. Can be a name, object, action, etc. Symbols serve to reinforce and add to the action, etc. Symbols serve to reinforce and add to the meaning of a story, or even sometimes carry the meaning of a story, or even sometimes carry the meaning of the story.meaning of the story.\\

Allegory- Allegory- A story that has a second meaning beneath A story that has a second meaning beneath the surface, endowing a cluster of characters, objects, the surface, endowing a cluster of characters, objects, or events with added significance; often the pattern or events with added significance; often the pattern relates each literal item to a corresponding abstract relates each literal item to a corresponding abstract idea or moral principal. A metaphor becomes the idea or moral principal. A metaphor becomes the whole story.whole story.

Page 11: Elements of Fiction. The Elements of Fiction Some major elements of fiction are: *Plot*Characterization*Theme*Setting *Point of View *Style *Symbol, &

BibliographyBibliography

Arp, Thomas R. and Johnson, Greg.Arp, Thomas R. and Johnson, Greg. Literature: Structure, Sound and Literature: Structure, Sound and Sense.Sense. 2002 2002

Schakel, Peter and Ridl, JackSchakel, Peter and Ridl, Jack. . Approaching Literature in the 21Approaching Literature in the 21stst Century.Century. 2005 2005