Bringing history to life… Historical Fiction Bringing history to life…

Characteristics Places appealing characters in accurately described historical settings Although the story is imaginary, it is within the realm of possibility Historical facts blend with story Exposes reader to history on an emotional level through characters

Definition A narrative story of past events and characters Partly historical but largely imaginative Realistic fiction set in a time remote enough from the present to be considered history History—study of change over time

Purpose To entertain To involve the reader in the lives of historically realistic characters and real events from history

Form Opens with background information and introduces characters in a setting, conflict, problem or goal The middle of the story develops the plot and builds to the climax Plot includes the sequence of events set in motion by a problem that begins the action that is realistic for that period in history Realistic fiction so characters must seem like real people and setting must be historically accurate

Features Setting is a specific time and place in history Real events are mixed with fictional events Historical characters are mixed with fictional characters Dialogue shows characters perspectives and what people knew and thought about at that time in history

Conflict Person—against—self Person—against—person Person—against—nature Person—against—society