1. Elements of Fiction In most fictional stories, one main character
faces a conflict that is resolved in the plot.
In addition, it usually conveys a
theme or message about life.

2. CHARACTER Types
Protagonist: the central character in a plot’s conflict. The protagonist isn’t just the “good guy,” but the character experiencing the conflict.
Antagonist: the force in conflict with the protagonist (could be society, nature, fate, another person…or if its man vs. self, the protagonist is his own antagonist)
Foil Character: a character whose traits help to highlight or accentuate the protagonist’s qualities.
Stereotype: a character who possesses expected traits of a group rather than being an individual.

3. CHARACTER Development
Character development is showing the multitude of traits & behaviors that give the character the complexity of a human being. This affects the quality of the story.
Round character: fully-developed, with many traits, both good and bad, shown in the story. We feel we know the character so well they’re almost real.
Flat character: not fully-developed; we usually see only one side of the character.

4. CHARACTER Development
The amount of change in a character affects the quality of the story too.
Dynamic character: experiences a basic change in character through the events of the story.
Static character: does not experience a change through the events of the story.

5. The setting of a story is the time and place of the action.
Time can include not only the historical period– past, present, or future– but also a specific year, season, or time of day.
Place may involve not only the geographical place– a region, country, state or town– but also the social, economic, or cultural environment.

6. POINT OF VIEW
The point of view in a story is the vantage point from which the story is told.
First Person: uses “I”; a character is telling the story.
Second Person: uses “you”; the author speaks directly to the reader (used in non-fiction, such as articles, speeches, etc).

7. There are two different types third person points of view:
POINT OF VIEW
Third Person: uses “he”, “she”, or “it”; the author is telling about the characters.
There are two different types third person points of view:
Limited - We are told the thoughts and feelings of only one character.
Omniscient - We are told everything about the story, including the thoughts and feelings of many characters, and even information in the author's mind which no character knows.

8. Watch the following video and sing along when you get it. 
POINT OF VIEW
Watch the following video and sing along when you get it. 
POINT OF VIEW

9. THEME
The theme of a short story is the central message or insight into life revealed through the work. Essentially the main “lesson” the character learns, often revealed during the climax.
In some stories, the theme may be stated directly. In most stories, however, the theme is only implied. You must consider the characters’ motives and decisions as well as the events of the story to help you draw conclusions about the theme.

10. FREEDOM THEME Freedom is to be valued above all.
To help you identify the theme, ask: Why did the protagonist make that decision? What lesson did they learn as a result of that moment?
A theme is always stated in a SENTENCE. Themes are not ONE WORD.
FREEDOM
Freedom is to be valued above all.