The Elements of Fiction Just as an artist uses different colors, textures and tools to create art, a writer uses the elements of fiction to create a literary work of art. There are many different tools a writer can use, but the basics are plot, character, setting, point of view, conflict, symbols and theme.

The Elements of Fiction Plot Character Setting Point of view Conflict Imagery Suspense Irony Symbolism Theme

Plot Plot is the series of events in the story. It answers the question, “what happens?” The plot always involves some kind of conflict.

Plot Diagram Climax Rising Action Conflict  Inciting Incident Exposition - the part of the plot that tells how the story begins Rising Action - the action in the story leading up to the climax Inciting Incident - the event or decision that begins a story's problem or main conflict Climax - the point of crisis in the plot. It may be the reader’s point of highest interest Falling action - the action in the story after the climax is revealed Resolution - the part of the plot that reveals the final outcome Rising Action Falling Action Conflict  Inciting Incident Exposition Resolution

Character Characters are your actors in the story. Types of Characters: Round - has many traits and characteristics Flat - undeveloped and has only one or two traits Dynamic - experiences change Static - does not experience change Protagonist - main character (NOT always a good guy!) Antagonist - character who opposes the protagonist

Setting The setting is where and when the story takes place, including the atmosphere and weather. The physical place can be as broad as a cross country trip or as narrow as a single room. The chronological setting can be a fixed moment in time or span many years.

Point of View Point of view is the perspective from which the story is told. third-person omniscient (uninvolved narrator telling the story with access to the thoughts and feelings of many characters) third-person limited (uninvolved narrator telling the story with access to the thoughts and feelings of only one character) first-person (a character within the story telling it using “I”).

Conflict Conflict is a struggle between the character and opposing forces. It can be internal or external. External conflict: person vs. person person vs. nature person vs. society Internal conflict: person vs. self

Imagery Imagery is the use of figurative language to appeal to our five senses (smell, touch, taste, sight, and hearing). The word “imagery” is associated with mental pictures.

Suspense Suspense is the intense feeling that an audience goes through while waiting for the outcome of certain events. It basically leaves the reader holding their breath and wanting more information.

Irony Situational Irony occurs when there is a difference between what is expected to happen and what actually happens. It is a difference between the appearance and the reality. Example: In The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Dorothy goes to the wizard in search of a way to get home, only to learn that she was capable of doing so on her own the whole time.

Symbolism A symbol is an object or idea that represents something else beyond itself. For example, an open door might be more than just an open door; it could represent opportunity. A red rose might symbolize love.

Theme A theme is the central message of the story. Themes are universal and can applied to people or the world in general. It is not simply a topic. For example, “love” is a topic; “love overcomes all” is a theme. “Overcoming obstacles” is a topic. “It is possible to overcome obstacles with positive thinking” is a theme. Not all stories have positive themes.