1. Elements of Fiction

2. SETTING: The time, place and period in which the action takes place.
Lord of the Flies: deserted island, the future.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: England/Hogwarts School, present day.
The Hunger Games: Panem, Dystopian Future.

3. PLOT
The plot of a story is the series of events and actions that take place in a story.

4. Plot Line
Climax: The turning point. The most intense moment (either mentally or in action).
Rising Action: the series of conflicts and crisis in the story that lead to the climax.
Falling Action: all of the action which follows the Climax.
Conclusion: The conclusion, the tying together of all of the threads.
Introduction: The start of the story. The way things are before the action starts.

6. Characters: The people (or animals, things, etc
Characters: The people (or animals, things, etc. presented as people) appearing in a literary work.
PROTAGONIST
Main character, often the hero
ANTAGONIST
Opposing force to the main character (does not have to be a person)
Ex: Red Riding Hood
Ex: Big Bad Wolf

7. Examples...
Protagonist
Antagonist

8. We know about a lot about these characters
We know about a lot about these characters. Descriptions go beyond appearance and readers are aware of the qualities they possess.
Characters
Developed or Round characters have many personality traits

9. Characters Developing character: Changes by the end of the story
Flat character: has few personality traits. They are minor and play a background role. They are one- dimensional & predictable. They are stereotypes.

10. Atmosphere or Mood
The prevailing feeling that is created in the story through the dialogue & imagery
Examples: tense, gloomy, dark, comedic.

11. Conflict Main types: A clash of forces.
Every story has a conflict(s) of some kind.
Main types:
Person vs. Person
Person vs. Self
Person vs. Nature/environment/unknown
Person vs. Society

12. Theme
The theme of a piece of fiction is it’s lesson learned. It usually contains some insight into the human condition.
In most short stories, the theme can be expressed in a single sentence.
In longer works of fiction, the central theme is often accompanied by a number of lesser, related themes, or there may be two or more central themes.
Themes should be stated as a generalization, or a life lesson.

13. Theme Examples... Don’t judge people based on appearance.
Treat others as you would want to be treated yourself.
Believe in yourself.
Always look for the silver lining.
Love will overcome all.

14. Point of View: Who is telling the story?
Omniscient Point of View: The author is telling the story.
“The boy with fair hair lowered himself down the last few feet of rock and began to pick his way toward the lagoon. Though he had taken off his school sweater and trailed it now from one hand, his grey shirt stuck to him and his hair was plastered to his forehead. All around him the long scar smashed into the jungle was a bath of heat.”
The Lord of the Flies - William Golding

15. Point of view
Point of View Song!

16. Point of View With one sweep of my arm, I push her behind me.
First Person: Story is told from point of view of one of the characters who uses the first person pronoun “I.”
With one sweep of my arm, I push her behind me.
“I volunteer!” I gasp. “I volunteer as tribute!”
-Katniss Everdeen, The Hunger Games

17. Point of View
Third Person Narrative: told from the viewpoint of a character in the story. This character will refer to the protagonist as he or she.
“As Harry squelched along the deserted corridor he came across somebody who looked just as preoccupied as he was. Nearly Headless Nick, the ghost of Gryffindor Tower, was staring morosely out of a window, muttering under his breath, ". . . don't fulfill their requirements half an inch, if that . . ."
-Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chpt. 8

18. Foreshadowing
The author leaves hints so readers can predict future events
Good foreshadowing doesn't spoil the surprise, yet seems an obvious clue in retrospect.
Examples:
prophecies or omens (Holes– Madame Zeroni’s curse)
Harry Potter films use several foreshadowing techniques

19. Flashback A device that shifts the story from the present to the past
Examples:
The television show Lost is particularly well known for extensive use of flashbacks in almost every episode
How I Met Your Mother can be considered one long flashback, as the show is set in the year 2030 with the narrator narrating the events of his life to his children.

20. Irony
A slight twist of the expected. Not to be confused with a surprise.
Events differing from what is expected.
Ex: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a story whose plot revolves around irony. Dorothy travels to a wizard and fulfills her challenging demands to go home, before discovering she had the ability to go back home all the time.

21. Imagery
A vivid description used to create pictures in the mind or appeal to the senses. Good imagery will help the reader picture the story.
"A few days ago I walked along the edge of the lake and was treated to the crunch and rustle of leaves with each step I made.  The acoustics of this season are different and all sounds, no matter how hushed, are as crisp as autumn air." -   Eric Sloane

22. Symbolism
A symbol represents an idea, quality, or concept larger than itself.
A Journey can symbolize life.
Water may represent a new beginning.
Black can represent evil or death.
A lion could be a symbol of courage.