Elements of Fiction All fiction is based on conflict and this conflict is presented in a structured format called a PLOT. A plot is the sequence of events in a story.

Elements of a Plot Exposition Setting Foreshadowing Inciting Force The beginning of a story which gives the setting, tone, characters, and other facts necessary to understanding the story. The place where and when the story takes place. The use of hints or clues to suggest what will happen later in the story. The event or character that triggers the conflict. The main ingredient in fiction. It creates the plot. There are four kinds of conflict. See Next Few Slides… Exposition Setting Foreshadowing Inciting Force Conflict

Conflict Man vs Man Man vs Nature Man vs Society Man vs Self Note… Character vs. character A run-in with the forces of nature. Character has conflict with values, rules, or customs by which everyone else lives by. Internal conflict *Often, more than one kind of conflict is taking place at the same time

Elements Continued Rising Action Crisis Climax Falling Action: The series of events that builds from the conflict. The conflict reaches a turning point. The conflict becomes more intense. The crisis occurs before or at the same time as the climax. The climax is the result of the crisis. It is when the problem in the story is solved. Usually, the most exciting part of the story The events AFTER the climax leading to the resolution. Concludes the story Rising Action Crisis Climax Falling Action: Resolution

Characterization = To reveal the personality and traits of a character Dynamic Characters Flat Characters: Static Characters Round Characters: The have good and bad qualities. Their goals, ambitions, and values change. They have only one or two striking qualities, stereotypes. They are usually all good or all bad. They do not change in the story. True to life, feel like they could exist.

Characters Protagonist Antagonist Prose Genre The main character, hero, “good guy.” The “bad guy,” the character or force that opposes the protagonist and gives rise to the conflict in the story. Writing arranged in sentences and paragraphs, not poetry or drama. Type of writing: historical, fantasy, biography, play, etc.

The use of hints or clues to suggest events that will occur later in the story. It builds suspense by raising questions that encourages the reader to go on and find out what happens. The contrast between what is expected and what actually happens. Foreshadowing Irony

Feelings The author’s attitude toward a subject. Some examples are: pessimism, optimism, earnestness, seriousness, bitterness, humorous, and joyful. It can be revealed through choice of words and details. The climate of feeling in a story. The choice of setting, objects, details, images, and words all contribute towards creating a specific mood. A person, place or object which has a meaning in itself but suggests other meanings as well. Things, characters, and actions can by symbols. For example: bright sunshine symbolizes goodness, thunder symbolizes danger. Language that appeals to the senses Tone Mood Symbolism Imagery

Theme: The lesson or meaning of a story. It may be stated or implied. Author can express themes by: Sharing feelings of the main character Presenting thoughts and conversations Asking what does the main character learn in the story? Revealing actions or events

Figurative Language Simile Metaphor Personification Onomatopoeia Hyperbole Involves a direct comparison between two unlike things using the words “like” or “as.” Implied comparison between unlike things. Do not use “like or as.” Gives human qualities to an animal, an object, or an idea. Use of words that mimic sounds. An exaggerated statement that emphasizes a point.

Point of View or P.O.V. First-person POV Third-person POV (3 Kinds) Omniscient third-person POV Limited third-person POV Objective third-person POV Told by character in the story. Uses pronouns: I, me, we our, us. Told by a narrator outside of the story. Uses pronouns: he, she, they, them. The all-knowing narrator. Knows all thoughts and feelings of all characters. Refers to a narrator who knows only the feeling and thoughts of one character. Narrator only gives an account of what is seen and heard.