What is Fiction?  Definition of Fiction: –Fiction is a made up story that may seem real, but has never happened in real life.

What is the definition of a short story?  Has a fully developed conflict with a theme.  Resembles a novel, but is considerably shorter.  Should be able to read in one sitting as opposed to a novel which takes several days.  Novella- a story that is longer than a short story but shorter than a novel.

5 Elements of Fiction 1.Plot2.Setting3.Character 4.Point of View 5.Theme

Plot  Definition of Plot: –Plot is the sequence of events that lead to a climax which is eventually resolved. Every Plot has: Conflict Climax Resolution

Freytag’s Pyramid Freytag’s Pyramid uses a five-part system to describe a story’s plot. This graphic organizer matches the way stories are constructed: The climax is the high point, and it’s surrounded by rising and falling action.

Plot: Plot is the literary element that describes the structure of a story. Exposition: The start of the story. The way things are before the action starts. Rising Action: the series of conflicts and crisis in the story that lead to the climax. Climax: The turning point. The most intense moment (either mentally or in action. Falling Action: all of the action which follows the Climax. Resolution: The conclusion, the tying together of all of the threads.

Types of Conflict  External: –Character vs. Character: a man arguing with his son –Character vs. Society: a character in conflict with a group.  Ex: A character who has a conflict with the rules of the NCAA –Character vs. Nature: a human trying to overcome something happening in nature:  Ex: a man trying to run from tornado  Internal: Man vs. himself: man trying to overcome a personal struggle Ex: a child trying to decide to call his mother to let her know where he will be today because if not he knows he will be grounded.

Moving from Plot to Setting  When we talk about the setting of a story, what exactly do we mean?  What is included in describing the setting of a story?

Setting  Definition: –Setting is the time and place in which the events (plot) take place in the story. Setting also includes: The physical and cultural environment Determine if it is a “real world” setting Determine if it is a “real world” setting How the setting is presented (all at once or over time) How the setting is presented (all at once or over time) Setting could signal character moods or events to come

“The Raven”  Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary, Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore, While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door. `'Tis some visitor,' I muttered, `tapping at my chamber door - Only this, and nothing more.'

“The Raven”…cont.  Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December, And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor. Eagerly I wished the morrow; - vainly I had sought to borrow From my books surcease of sorrow - sorrow for the lost Lenore - For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels named Lenore - Nameless here for evermore.

“Up the Slide” pg. 174  Based on the pictures throughout the story, what can we already say about the setting?

DO NOW: 4/7/09  Besides time and place, what else does the setting include?

 Open your book to page 174.  Review the story “Up the Slide.”  We have a quiz today dealing with the setting and events of the story.

Character Notes  Why is developing a character important for the author to do when writing a piece of fiction?  Possible Answers:  To bring the character to life  To create realistic and believeable characters

Ways an author might create a character: Describe this character.

Creating a character:  Physical description  Characters actions  Let the character speak (dialogue)  Revealing the character’s thoughts (through narration or interaction of dialogue with another character)  Narrator’s description of the character’s physical and emotional state.

Characterization   Characters are the people, animals, or imaginary creatures in a story. The main character is the one who the story is mostly about. These character can be a five headed alien or a 14 year old girl who is looking to find a place in the world. You can create whomever you wish to be your character!

Motivation   A character’s motivation is what makes him/her think, feel, or act in a particular way.   When you know the reasons for a character’s actions, thoughts, or feelings, you understand his/her motivation.   A character’s motivation influences his/her actions. The actions, in turn, reveal the character’s traits.

A character can be motivated by…

Direct Characterization  The narrator tells us EXACTLY what kind of person the character is.  Example: “He was a man that worked with his head.”

Indirect Characterization  The reader watches the actions and listens to the conversations of the characters and hears their thoughts.  This also includes the reactions of other characters to that particular character.  The author never directly tells us what kind of person the character is, we have to infer what the author is telling the reader.

Flat vs. Round  Flat characters: –One dimensional, not interesting, not original. Round Characters: Multiple qualities, interesting, unique.

Static vs. Dynamic  Static characters: –Does not change at all throughout the story. –There is no lesson learned for this character Dynamic Characters: Changes and develops throughout the story Learns a lesson and grows from it

Protagonist vs Antagonist  Protagonist –The main character in the story –The character that the reader is most concerned about  Antagonist –The character that is in conflict to the protagonist (main character) –This character may learn a lesson (dynamic) or may remain a flat character.

Open to page 358.  Using four of the new vocabulary words we just learned, describe the lady in the picture on page 358.  Only base your opinion on the picture of the lady, do not read the story.  Use complete sentences and support your opinion with a reason.

Theme  Summarize the story of “The Boy Who Cried Wolf.” What is the theme of “The Boy Who Cried Wolf?”  In other words, what was the reader supposed to learn from the boy’s experience?

Definition of Theme  Theme is the moral or the lesson learned in the story.  It is not often stated in the story by the author.  The theme is determined after the you read the story.  Most likely, it is the lesson that the author wants the reader to learn from the character’s mistakes.

More practice with Theme  What is the moral or theme? –An ANT, going to a river to drink, fell in and was carried along in the stream. A Dove pitied her condition, and threw into the river a small bough, by means of which the Ant gained the shore. The Ant afterward, seeing a man with a fowling-piece aiming at the Dove, stung him in the foot sharply, and made him miss his aim and so saved the Dove’s life.

Point of View:  Summarize the story of the Three Little Pigs.  Who is telling this story?

“The True Story of the Three Little Pigs”  Read “The True Story of the Three Little Pigs” by A. Wolf. –Discussion Questions:  Who is telling this story?  How has the story changed from the story of the “Three Little Pigs”?  What is the author’s purpose in writing a story from the point of view of the wolf?

First Person P.O.V: –The story is told by a CHARACTER in the story. –This character is then considered the NARRATOR of the story. –The reader only knows what this narrator THINKS and FEELS, not what any other character thinks and feels. –The only way the narrator would know thoughts and feelings of other characters is if they were using dialogue or actions to express their thoughts.

First Person Pronouns:  These pronouns provide a clue as to what the point of view of the story.  Pronouns: –I, Me, My –Our –We

Third Person Notes  This is the most “COMMON” narrator used in stories.  The story is told by a NARRATOR who is NOT a character in the story  This person is usually an OUTSIDER to the story.

Third Person Pronouns:  These pronouns are a clue to the point of view used in a story.  PRONOUNS: –He –She –They –Them –Those

Second Person Point of View  Second Person point of view does NOT exist in stories (narrative literature).  What kind of literature uses second person? –How-To Manuals –Directions –Cookbooks or recipes

Point of View  Omniscient- –All-knowing narrator –The narrator tells things that the character does not directly think or observe.

Point of View  Limited: –Tells us what only ONE character sees, feels, and thinks. –Tells the story from the point of view of ONE character. –The narrator does not tell us what other characters think or feel.

Review:  What is the most common voice of literature?  What point of view could be more biased?  What point of view does not exist in short stories?

Raymond’s Run  What Point of View is the story told from?  Who are the characters?  What is the setting?  What is the plot?  Define the theme of the story.  How would this story be different if it was told in another point of view?