Elements of Fiction

Freytag Pyramid: Plot Diagram

Exposition Introduces the characters, setting, and basic situation

Rising Action Begins to develop conflict; builds interest and suspense that leads to the climax

Climax Turning point of the story; most intense moment

Falling Action Tension eases and conflict begins to be resolved

Resolution Loose ends tied up; conflict resolved, problems solved

Setting Where and when the story takes place

Protagonist Main character; hero

Antagonist Another character that causes conflict for the protagonist/can be character, society or an object

Dynamic Character Character that grows and changes throughout the story

Flat Character Character that doesn’t change but stays the same throughout the story

Motivation A character’s reasoning behind acting or behaving a certain way

Conflict Struggle between opposing characters or forces

Man v.s. Man Main character in conflict with another character

Man v.s. Nature Main character in conflict with forces of nature

Man v.s. Self The main character has inner conflict

Author’s Purpose The reason an author creates a piece of literature To persuade To inform To entertain

Tone Indicates the author’s attitude or feeling about what is written/created

Connotative Diction Emotion behind the words used by the author

Imagery A way to describe writing or artistic work using the five physical senses

Simile Comparing two things using “like” or “as”

Metaphor Comparing two things WITHOUT using “like” or “as”

Personification Giving human qualities to things that are not human

Suspense Excitement, tension, curiosity in a literary work

Theme Main idea or controlling topic about life or people the author wants the reader to see through the story or artistic work