The Elements of Fiction: The Elements of Fiction: A General Introduction

1- Character A textual representation of a human being (or creature). How do we get to know a character? Through… Dialogue Thoughts Actions Narration

Example Finding Nemo Why are we so interested in the characters and their problems if they are only aquatic animals and computer graphics?

2- Plot The series of events that give a story its meaning and effect An event is comprised of a conflict and a resolution

Example Disney’s Cinderella What’s the first conflict? What’s the second conflict? Cinderella’s father dies. What’s the resolution? Her step mother becomes her guardian Her step mother and step sisters are mean. What’s the resolution? She befriends mice.

Disney’s Cinderella (Cont’d) What’s the third conflict? What’s the fourth conflict? Cinderella wants to go to the ball. What’s the resolution? Her step mother says that she is allowed to go if she finishes her chores and has a suitable dress. Her step sisters ruin her dress, so she can’t go to the ball. What’s the resolution? Her fairy godmother saves the day.

3 Setting A story’s time and place Example: Fox’s The O.C. When and where does it take place?

4 Theme The meaning or concept we are left with after reading a story The meaning or concept we are left with after reading a story How can you figure out a story’s theme? Ask yourself, “What is the author suggesting is true about human nature and/or life?”

Example What are some of the themes in Harry Potter ? Good vs. Evil Death (conquering/fear of) Love motivates some people to take risks. Overcoming seemingly impossible odds

5- Point of View Refers to the source of the narrative voice (or person telling the story) It answers the question, “Who is telling the story?” Example: The Notebook

6- Style Refers to the manner in which an author tells his or her story Refers to the manner in which an author tells his or her story Examples: Examples: Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (Elaborate Language) Juliet: My only love sprung from my only hate! Too early seen unknown, and known too late! Prodigious birth of love it is to me That I must love a loathèd enemy.

Style( Cont’d) ·Twilight (simple language) ·"And so the lion fell in love with the lamb...," he murmured. I looked away, hiding my eyes as I thrilled to the word. "What a stupid lamb," I sighed. "What a sick, masochistic lion."

7- Literary Devices Devices that writers have used throughout the timeline of literary history. Include… Symbols Imagery and Figurative Language: Metaphors, Similes, and Personification

Literary Devices (Cont’d) ·Symbol- a person, place, or thing comes to represent an abstract idea or concept -- it is anything that stands for something beyond itself. ·Some symbols are generic, such as the color red representing love, and flowers representing mortality. Other symbols, such as The Valley of Ashes in THE GREAT GATSBY, are specific to individual novels. (The Valley of Ashes represents the consequences of greed.)

Literary Devices(Cont’d) ·Imagery- Language which describes something in detail, using words to substitute for and create sensory stimulation, including visual imagery and sound imagery. The hot July sun beat relentlessly down, casting an orange glare over the farm buildings, the fields, the pond. Even the usually cool green willows bordering the pond hung wilted and dry. Our sun-baked backs ached for relief.

Literary Devices (Cont’d) Metaphors- comparisons that show how two things that are not alike in most ways are similar in one important way. My love is a red, red rose.

Literary Devices (Cont’d) ·Simile- a comparison between two unlike things using the words “like” or “as”. ·My love is like a red, red rose.

Literary Devices (Cont’d) ·Personification- giving human traits (qualities, feelings, action, or characteristics) to non-living objects (things, colors, qualities, or ideas). ·For example: The wind whispered through the trees. The verb, whispered, is a human action. Wind is non-living.