Elements of Narrative Fiction THE SIX PARTS OF NARRATIVE FICTION 10/1/2014

What is Narrative Fiction?  Narrative Fiction tells a made-up, imaginary story  These can be novels, short stories, fables, folktales, etc.  Can you name any narrative fiction that you’ve read?

1. Characters  All narrative have characters  The story centers around the main character  There can be two types of main characters in a story. 1. Protagonist-the most important character 2. Antagonist- a person who struggles against the main character

2. Point of View First Person Point of View Third Person Point of View Narrator tells the story from his/her OWN point of view. The narrator observes the events of the story but does not take part in the story. (Bird’s eye view) KEY WORDS: I, we, me, us, our, KEY WORDS: he, she, they, or the character’s name being used over and over

3. Setting  The time and place in which the story occurs.  Some stories may have more than one time and place.  The setting also helps to set the tone- the attitude that author/narrator takes toward the subject. Example: playful, serious, positive, etc.  The setting also helps to set the mood- the emotion that the story creates in the reader. Examples: Cheerful, suspenseful, scary, nervous

4. Plot  A sequence of events, including a conflict and some kind of resolution.  What happens in the story?  How does the story move from event to event? How do the characters change throughout the plot?

5. Conflict  Conflict can be either internal or external.  Man vs. Man  Man vs. Society  Man vs. Self  Man vs. Nature  Which conflicts are internal? External?

6. Theme  The conflict allows the characters to learn a lesson. This lesson learned is called the theme.  What did the character take away from the story?