Introduction to Fiction English II
Defining Fiction Fiction: Originally defined as anything made up, created, or shaped. **Refined Definition: Prose story based on the imagination of the author.
What are the two Purposes of Fiction? 1. Read for entertainment! 2. Write to say something significant about human experience.
Who was the originator of the Short Story? a short, concentrated tale that can be read in one sitting. has limited characters and a restricted setting Who was the originator of the Short Story? Why? He felt people’s lives were too busy to read long works; they needed to pick it up and finish it before putting it down again. Who: Edgar Allan Poe Why: He felt people’s daily lives prevented them from reading long works. Also, a story read in ONE sitting allowed for maximum impact on the reader.
The four Major Elements FICTION Plot Character Setting Theme
the series of events that make up a story What is the Plot? the series of events that make up a story
What is A Character? the imaginary people, animals, or objects that model the good and bad of human beings.
can be a natural or artificial environment What is The setting? the time or place can be a natural or artificial environment
what the story reveals about life What is The Theme? what the story reveals about life the central idea presented throughout the story
Literary Terms and Devices
the perspective of the story the voice of the narrator Point of View the perspective of the story the voice of the narrator
Symbol A thing that may be understood to mean something beyond itself. For example: A heart, a flag, a bald eagle, etc.
When the intended meaning is the opposite of the actual meaning. Irony When the intended meaning is the opposite of the actual meaning.
a story meant to be read on a symbolic level Allegory a story meant to be read on a symbolic level
the repetition of initial consonant sounds Alliteration the repetition of initial consonant sounds Examples: Sally sells sea shells… Candy Kisses Debbie Downer
giving a non-human object human characteristics Personification giving a non-human object human characteristics Examples: The chair groaned as she pushed it in. The engine of the car screamed as he accelerated. The cat smiled before lunging at the ball of yarn.
a comparison of two unlike things using “like” or “as” Simile a comparison of two unlike things using “like” or “as” Example: He eats like a pig.
a comparison of two unlike things; DOES NOT use “like” or “as” MEtaphor a comparison of two unlike things; DOES NOT use “like” or “as” Example: He is a pig.
when an author hints at future events of the story Foreshadowing when an author hints at future events of the story
a break in sequence of a story to an earlier time FLASHBACK a break in sequence of a story to an earlier time
the feeling of uncertainty about events to come Suspense the feeling of uncertainty about events to come
a reoccurring literary element motif a reoccurring literary element helps the author develop/stress important ideas repeated symbols that represent the theme
IMAGERY the author’s use of language that appeals the 5 senses the reader feels a part of the story
allusion an author’s reference to a well known person, text, object, event, etc. He’s a real Romeo with the ladies!
an extreme exaggeration hyperbole an extreme exaggeration
paradox a statement that is seems to contradict itself because it contains to truths, but in general, both cannot be true at the same time