The Elements of Fiction

Plot Exposition (Intro) Rising Action Climax (the “big event”) The plot of a fiction story has 5 main parts: Exposition (Intro) Rising Action Climax (the “big event”) Falling Action Resolution (Conclusion)

The 5 Stages of Plot Exposition Introduces characters, setting, conflict Rising Action The first things that happen in the story; usually explains the conflict Climax A “turning point” in the story that changes its outcome Falling Action The action that results from the climax/change Resolution The conflict is resolved or comes to a conclusion

Characters The subjects involved in the story; who the story is about Types: “Flat” Characters: not much too them; simple actions, stereotypes “Round” Characters: well developed; have their own true-to-life personalities “Static” Characters: Characters that don't change throughout the course of the story “Dynamic” Characters: Characters that DO experience a change during the story

Characters (continued) Protagonist: The “hero” of the story; the character that the story focuses on Antagonist: The “villain” - the character that is causing problems for the protagonist

Setting Where/when (in time) the story is happening Chronological Setting: what time period the story takes place in Ex: yesterday, when I was 14, in the year 1776 Physical setting: the location that the story takes place in Ex: Greenville, Mars, Hogwarts School

CONFLICT Conflict: A struggle between opposing forces; a problem, argument, or difficult event in a story Internal conflict: when a character struggles within him/herself (takes place INSIDE THE MIND!) External conflict: when a character struggles against an outside force, like another person, society, nature, or a difficult problem/event (takes place outside the mind)

Examples of Conflict: Person vs. Self: One month ago, Abby was assigned a book to read for a book report. Upon sitting at the computer to work on it, Abby struggled with the decision to do the reading or to surf the web instead. She felt guilty, knowing she should do the work, but was really motivated by her desire to look up new information about her favorite rock band.

Examples of Conflict: Person vs. Person Abby and her best friend Megan are working together on a group project. Abby did not do any work, leaving it all for Megan to do. When the girls get together to do the project, Megan finds out Abby did not do any work. She becomes angry, yells at Abby, and storms out of the room.

Examples of Conflict Person vs. Society Abby needs to go to the library to begin working on her project. When she arrives, she finds out that juveniles under the age of eighteen cannot enter the library without a parent. Her mom is at work. Abby is mad about this thing, totally out of her control. She writes a letter to the library, expressing her disgust.

Examples of Conflict Person vs. Nature When their car breaks down on the way home from a mountain vacation, the Peterson family becomes stuck in a remote area of the Appalachian mountains. When a terrible storm prevents them from going out to find help, they must survive the elements and get through the storm together, huddled alone in their mini-van.

Point Of View The perspective from which the story is told First person: narrator participates in the story & tells his/her version of it. I knew I shouldn't have let Grandma go down there. She isn't too steady on her feet to start with, and then she gets those dizzy spells. But she insisted, and the next thing I know, she's tumbling down those stairs like a gymnast . . . Second person: (least common POV for fiction writing) The narrator tells the story to another character using “you.” Often used for “how-to”s You know how it is. You think you shouldn't intervene, you think she'll get mad at you if you don't let her do what she's always done . . .

Third Person: The narrator does not participate in the action, but tells readers about the actions of all or some characters. Mrs. Smith stood at the top of the stairs, her son John next to her. Clinging to the handrail, she planted her trembling foot on the first step. But the other foot caught on the carpet and . . . 3rd person objective: The writer tells what's happening without giving away any of the character's feelings or thoughts “Mr. Donahue passed out the exams without stopping his lecture. Dawn made a C minus, but Landon made an A.” 3rd person omniscient: The narrator is not involved in the story, but reveals the actions and emotions of ALL the characters. Narrator “sees all” and “knows all.” John stood next to his grandmother. He wanted to help her down the stairs. Mrs. Smith looked at her grandson, her blue eyes sharp, and moved a strand of hair from her face. She was determined to do this on her own, to prove she wasn't an helpless old lady . . . 3rd person limited: the narrator is not involved in the story, but relates events with a particular bias toward/interest in one character’s side of things (Harry Potter)