1. What is Fiction?
1. Fiction: literature that an author imagines or invents. Sometimes the author bases the story on real events.
2. Short Story: revolves around a single idea and is short enough to be read in one sitting.
3. Novel: a longer, more complex work of fiction.
Types of Fiction (Genre)
Historical Fiction
Myths/Legends/Fairy Tales
Mysteries
Horror
Fantasy
Science Fiction

2. 4.CHARACTERS: the people, animals or imaginary creatures that take part in the action of the story.
5.Protagonist:
The main character in a work of literature. The character is involved in the central conflict of the story. It is usually the one who opposes the forces of evil. The “Hero”
6.Antagonist:
The force working against the protagonist, usually another character but could stem from another kind of conflict (such as nature, society, technology, or a force within the character). “The Villain”

3. Main or Minor?
7.Main Character: usually a story centers on the events of one person/animal/creature. He/She/It is the main character.
8.Minor Character: provides the background of the story, interact with the main character and with one another, and help to move the plot along.

4. Types of Characters
9.Flat – very few personality traits, do not change throughout the story, sometimes can be symbols or stereotypes, boring, one dimensional and predictable.
10.Round –convincing and true to life, many different personality traits, usually undergo a change during the story, complex and multidimensional, one that is unpredictable. And quite interesting.
11.Dynamic- a character that changes, grows or learns something over the course of the plot.
12.Static- a character that is exactly the same at the end of the story as he/she was at the beginning.

5. 13.Characterization: The way an author develops a character and makes him come alive for the reader.
INDIRECT
The character’s actions or words
The character’s thoughts
The character’s appearance
The responses of other characters to the character.
DIRECT
The author directly describes the character, his personality, and his attributes

6. (an internal struggle or dilemma—a conflict within the character)
A struggle or battle between two or more opposing forces. Every story must have a conflict.
14a. External Conflicts
(outside of the character)
Man vs. Supernatural
Man vs. Society
14b. Internal Conflict
(an internal struggle or dilemma—a conflict within the character)
Man vs. Man
Man vs. Himself
Man vs. Nature
Man vs. Technology

7. 15.Setting: the time and place the action occurs.
Time: 1865, Revolutionary War, today, the future, 3rd period
Place: Philadelphia, the desert, a bus, wealthy neighborhood
Settings can sometimes have their own personality and emotions, authors use setting to create mood.
16.Mood: (atmosphere) the feelings created within the reader upon experiencing the text.
17. Tone: the author’s attitude toward his subject

8. 18.Plot Outline Climax Falling Action Rising Action Suspense builds
Complications
Suspense builds
Resolution/Denouement
Exposition
Inciting Force

9. INCITING FORCE: Pigs are warned of the danger of the wolf.

10. 19. Plot: the sequence of events in a story.
20. Exposition: the introduction of the story. Background information is given, the setting explained, and the characters are introduced here.
21. Inciting Force: the initial problem or conflict that starts the action of the story.
22. Rising Action: The events that lead to the climax, suspense builds
23. Climax: highest point of action in the story, turning point, usually a change in the characters will occur
24.Falling Action: the action and dialogue that follows the climax and precedes the solution.
25. Resolution: Conclusion of the story, loose ends are tied up, the story ends, clear solution to the conflict
26. Suspense: the quality that makes the reader want to read on. “Edge of your seat” feeling, “page turner”

11. 27.Point of View: the vantage point from which the story is told (narrated).
27.First Person: usually is identified by the pronoun “I”. A first person narrator is often a major character and can be the protagonist. However, it can also be a minor character. Point of view has significant effect on the story. First person is limited to the observations and thoughts of the narrator.

12. 28.Third-Person Narrator
The narrator is not a character in the story. So while first-person narration is- “I never sing in the choir on Sundays.” Third-person narration is, “She never sings in the choir on Sundays.”
Omniscient: (All-Knowing) The narrator can get information from anywhere, including the thoughts and feelings of the characters. The narrator can roam freely in the setting and beyond.
Limited: the narrative voice can relate to what is in the minds of a couple of characters (usually only one).
Objective/Observer: the narrator gives details only about things that are able to be observed and does not have access to the internal thoughts of the characters or background information about the situation/setting. A character’s thoughts are only inferred by their speech or actions. This isn’t used often because it is confusing to the reader.

13. 29. imagery: Language that appeals to the 5 senses
30. allusion: a reference to another work of literature, a time period, a historical event, famous person or place, or the Bible
31. flashback: a shift in time from present to past
32. irony: the contrast between what is expected and what actually happens. The “twist” or “surprise ending”
33. stereotype: a generalization about a group of people. “All” statement. Ex. All teachers are boring.
34. foreshadowing: hints or clues that tell what is to come later in a story (used to prepare the reader).

14. 35. Symbolism
An image/object in a story that is used repeatedly and carries a deeper meaning.
Universal Symbols:
water = purity
black clouds = evil approaching

15. Theme
36.
Theme is the meaning or concept we are left with after we read the story. Theme is an answer to the question, “What did you learn from this?”
Theme is worded in a full sentence!
It is NOT one word—that’s a topic!