1. The Elements of Fiction
Plot Character Setting Point of view Conflict Symbols Theme
© Laura Torres 2011

2. The Elements of Fiction
Just as an artist uses different colors, textures and tools to create art, a writer uses the elements of fiction to create a literary work of art.
There are many different
tools a writer can use,
but the basics are plot,
character, setting, point
of view, conflict, symbols
and theme.
© Laura Torres 2011

3. Plot
Plot is the series of made up events, or structure, of the story. It answers the question, “what happens?” The plot always involves some kind of conflict.
© Laura Torres 2011

4. Character
Characters are made up people or animals in a story. You will have a protagonist (main character) and an antagonist (Who or what the protagonist is struggling against).
© Laura Torres 2011

5. Setting
The setting is the time and place where the story takes place. The physical place can be as broad as a cross country trip or as narrow as a single room. The chronological (time) setting can be a fixed moment in time or span many years.
© Laura Torres 2011

6. Point of View
Point of view is The view from which a story is told ( narrator, character). The three most common points of view are omniscient (third person – author telling the story), limited omniscient (third person – a character telling the story) and first person (from the perspective of a single character using “I”).
© Laura Torres 2011

7. Conflict
Conflict is a problem that the protagonist has through out the story.
A conflict can be internal or external. External conflict can be person vs. person, person vs. nature, or person vs. society. Internal conflict is a person against him or herself.
© Laura Torres 2011

8. Symbols
A symbol is something that represents something else. For example, an open door might represent opportunity, or a red rose might symbolize love.
© Laura Torres 2011

9. Theme
A theme is the main idea, lesson, or message of the story. It is not simply a topic. For example, “love” is a topic; “love overcomes all” is a theme. “Overcoming obstacles” is a topic. “It is possible to overcome obstacles with positive thinking” is a theme. Not all stories have positive themes. Don’t confuse a theme with a “moral,” which implies something positive.
© Laura Torres 2011