The Elements of Fiction

Setting fiction the time, place, and general environment in which a piece of fiction occurs

Functions …to establish mood …to illuminate/highlight a character …makes fiction more credible/believable …to establish mood …to illuminate/highlight a character setting can be similar to a character setting can contrast with a character …to provide a source of conflict

All the Places to Love by Patricia MacLachlan Answer the following questions in your RS Is the setting established briefly or in great detail? Explain. Is the time and place clearly defined or is it vague and unclear? Does the writer give you clues to the setting? If so, what are they? Is the setting important in this story? Could the story be successful without the setting? Could the story take place somewhere else? How does it establish mood? What is the mood?

Characterization the method an author uses to get the reader to know the characters the act of creating and developing the characters development of characters

Techniques of Characterization Speech - look at what a character says to other characters Thought - look at what a character thinks; this tells us more than what he/she just says Actions - look at what a character does Appearance - look at the way a character appears/dresses/looks; may reveal personality Conversation of others - look at what other characters say about a character Author’s direct comments - the author tells you what you should think/know about the character(s)

Character Web for Russell from “No Gumption” A Writer Salesman for the SEP Russell Feels Rejected No Gumption Lazy

A Boy Called Slow by Joseph Bruchac What do we learn about Slow through his speech? his thoughts? his actions? his appearance? the conversation of others? the author’s direct comments?

the sequence of events that make up a story Plot the sequence of events that make up a story Three different time orders… chronological flashback interweaving

Story Pattern of the Plot Exposition Rising Action Climax Resolution/Denouement  

Four Conflicts man v himself man v man man v environment man v supernatural 

Foreshadowing points or hints toward future events builds tension or suspense prepares readers to predict or anticipate future events

Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg Did the author use chronological, flashback, or interweaving order? Make a chart and list events in the Exposition; Rising Action; Climax; Resolution/Denouement. What was the conflict? How do you know? man v himself man v man man v environment man v supernatural Was there foreshadowing? Was the plot completely resolved? Does the tension continue?

Exposition Parents go out for night Peter and Judy get bored Find Jumanji at park Instructions say game MUST end once it is started

Rising Action Peter rolls, and lion attacks Wants to quit, Judy says, “No.” Judy rolls, and monkeys appear in kitchen Peter causes monsoon season to begin Guide gets lost when Judy rolls Peter gets sleeping sickness Rhinos stampede on Judy’s turn Peter wakes up, and rolls; python appears Volcano erupts causing steam to fill room

Climax Judy gets free roll with shortcut She gets two sixes Slams piece on board and yells, “JUMANJI!” Everything disappears Kids put game in box Game is placed back under tree

Resolution/Denouement Parents wake up kids Get ready for dinner Talk with Mrs. Budwing Daniel and Walter are seen with box in park Hmmm???

Man v… Himself? Man? Environment? Supernatural?

Point of View the vantage point or perspective from which fiction is told Types First Person or Personal First Person Observer Third Person or Omniscient

anything that stands for or represents an idea or something else Symbol anything that stands for or represents an idea or something else a shortcut to meaning

Two Types of Symbols Conventional – universally agreed upon ideas Created – author creates it him/herself

Fly Away Home by Eve Bunting From what point of view was the story told? How do you know? What is a symbol from the story? What does it represent? Is it conventional or created?

Fly Away Home by Eve Bunting How important was setting in the story? Which of the six techniques of characterization were used? What was the climax of the story? What was the major conflict? How do we know?

Mood feeling/atmosphere created by a piece of fiction the emotional charge of a piece of fiction Mood is created by plot. characters. setting. author’s word choice.

The Widow’s Broom by Chris Van Allsburg Answer the following questions in your RS: How would you describe the mood? How is the mood set by the plot? characters? setting? What was the climax of the story? What was the conflict?

the central message, concern, or purpose of a work of fiction Theme the central message, concern, or purpose of a work of fiction not a summary of the plot stimulates the intellect may be stated (the author tells you) implied (you have to figure it out on your own)

The Wretched Stone by Chris Van Allsburg Answer the following questions in your RS: What is the symbol in the book? What does it represent? Is it conventional or created? What is the theme? Is it stated or implied?

toward his/her audience and subject Tone/Voice the writer’s attitude toward his/her audience and subject Tone is identified by things the author points out. words the author uses. how the author writes the fiction.

The Three Pigs by David Weisner The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by Scieszka & Smith How would you describe the tone of each book? What did the author point out? What words did he/she use? How did he/she write the story? How could you change the tone to make the story different?