Elements of Fiction Language Arts

Theme The main message or lesson that the author communicates Theme is developed through characters’ actions, dialogue, and thoughts as well as through the setting, conflicts, and resolution Theme can be determined by: Identify big topics or ideas in the story Find examples of how characters think, feel, act toward, and talk about that topic State the theme in the form of a lesson one could learn

Exposition Exposition is the story’s introduction in which background information is given The purpose of the exposition is to fill readers in, in order to develop the plot Exposition includes information about the setting, the situation or “climate” (mood or tone), and characters In Cinderella, readers are immediately introduced to Cinderella’s poor living conditions (and how these living conditions came to be)

Conflict Conflict is the opposition between forces Every fiction story contains conflict There are four main types of conflict in fiction: Character vs. Self Character vs. Character Character vs. Society (World) Character vs. Nature (Sometimes, the categories Character vs. Technology or Character vs. Supernatural are used) Regardless of the type of conflict, every story always boils down to PROTAGONIST VS. ANTAGONIST

Conflict In Cinderella, the main conflict is Character vs. Character(s) in Cinderella’s daily struggles to make it work with her evil stepmother and stepsisters.

The protagonist is the main character Cinderella is the protagonist in Cinderella because it is her problems, dreams, and feelings that are at the forefront of the tale.

Antagonist The antagonist refers to whatever opposing force the protagonist struggles against. Antagonists can include: Another character The environment, or something in nature Thoughts or feelings within the protagonist The evil stepmother is the main antagonist in Cinderella. She causes constant problems and heartache for the protagonist.

Climax Climax in a story is the turning point, or the action or decision that determines the outcome It is often described as the “a-ha” moment, when you can begin to see the outcome of the conflict Don’t confuse the climax with the crisis Crisis is the moment of highest tension in a story Sometimes the crisis and climax occur at the same time, but not always

Climax If the main conflict in Cinderella is Character vs. Character, than the climax occurs when the prince arrives at Cinderella’s home with the glass slipper and tries it on her. (The crisis would have occurred when Cinderella must dash away from the ball at midnight.)

Rising Action Rising action refers to the complications, problems, or suspense in a story that builds toward the climax Examples of rising action in Cinderella are when the protagonist is told she can’t attend the ball and when her fairy godmother arrives.

Falling Action Falling action takes place after the climax of the story and includes any events that lead into the resolution Falling action takes place in Cinderella when the stepsisters react to the slipper fitting on Cinderella’s foot.

Resolution or Denouement The resolution (also known as the denouement) is the final stage or unraveling of the plot; Here the tension is over, and unanswered questions may be explained. The resolution of Cinderella is, of course, when the slipper fits Cinderella’s foot, and she is whisked away to live HAPPILY EVER AFTER.

Examples of this theme are: With all the plot elements working together, we can determine that one theme of Cinderella is: Kindness and a good heart will not go unrewarded. Examples of this theme are: Cinderella works hard to help out her step-family, and she does so with patience and generosity A fairy godmother rewards Cinderella Cinderella, not her step-sisters, gets to marry the prince