Elements of Fiction

ELEMENTS OF FICTION ELEMENTS OF FICTIO N 1. Setting 2. Character 3. Plot 4. Conflict 5. Point of view 6. Theme 7. Moral or lesson SETTING  The time and location in which a st ory takes place is called the setting.  For some stories, the setting is very important, while for others it is not . Aspects of A Story’s Setting Place: geographical location. Where is the action of the s tory taking place? Time: When is the story taking place? (historical period, t ime of day, year, etc) Weather conditions: Is it rainy, sunny, stormy, etc? Aspects of A Story’s Setting Social conditions: What is the daily life of the character's like? Does the story contain local color? Mood or atmosphere: What feeling is created at the beginning of the story? Is it bright and cheerful or dark and frightening? CHARACTER There are two meanings for the word character: 1. The person in a work of fiction. 2. The characteristics of a person. 1. Persons in a work of fiction: Antagonist and Protagonist  Short stories use few characters. One character is clearly central to the story with all major events having some importance to this character he/she is the PROTAGONIST.  The person (or force) that opposes the main character is called the ANTAGONIST. 2. The Characteristics of a Person • In order for a story to seem real to the reader, its characters must seem real. • CHARACTERIZATION is the information the author gives the reader about the characters themselves. The author may reveal a character in several ways: • Through direct statements by the author/ narrator (Direct Characterization) • His/her physical appearance • What he/she says, thinks, feels and dreams • What he/she does or does not do • What others say about him/her and how others react to him/her Types of Character s Round Characters are many sided and complex personalities that you would expect of actual human beings. Flat Character are personalities that are presented only briefly and not in depth. Types of Character s Dynamic Characters are personalities that change, for better or worse, by the end of the story. Static Characters are characters that are often stereotyped and have one or two characteristics that never change which are emphasized. PLOT • The plot is how the author arranges events to develop his or her basic idea. • It is the sequence of events in a story or play. • The plot is a planned, logical series of events having a beginning, middle, and end. • The short story usually has one plot so it can be read in one sitting. CONFLICT  Conflict is essential to plot.  Without conflict there is no plot.  It is the opposition of forces which tie one incident to another and makes the plot move.  Conflict is not merely limited to arguments, rather it is any form of opposition that faces the main character.  Within a story, there may be only one central struggle, or there may be one dominant struggle with many minor ones. 2 types of Conflict 1. Internal 2. External 4 Kinds of Conflict 3. Human vs. Human 4. Human vs. Nature 5. Human vs. Society 6. Human vs. Self POINT OF VIEW • the angle or perspective from which the story is told. EXAMPLES First Person Second Person Third Person Innocent Eye Stream of Consciousness Omniscient Limited Omniscient Objective THEME & MORAL • THEME is the underlying message that the writer would like to get across. • a theme of bravery, perseverance, or undying love. • MORAL is a lesson that a piece of art consumer expects to derive from the story or experience that a character in the work goes through. EXAMPLES: • Pride comes before a fall • Think twice before you leap • Slow and steady is a sure win