1. Elements of Fiction

2. Plot
Plot: sequence of events that make up a story

3. Parts of Plot Exposition – arouses reader’s interest, gives background
Conflict – struggle between opposing forces (protagonist vs. antagonist  “good guy” vs. “bad guy”
Person v s. person
Person vs. themselves
Person vs. nature
Person vs. society
Person vs. supernatural

4. Parts of Plot - continued
Rising Action – development of the conflict
Climax­ – turning point of the story, point of most intense interest
Falling Action – aka “denouement” – events that lead to resolution
Resolution – outcome of the conflict

5. Plot Diagram

6. Character
Character is generally the central or focal element in the story

7. Character
4 Types of Characterization:  techniques the author uses to develop a character
Physical description
Speech and actions of the character
Direct comment from the narrator
Speech and other actions of other characters

8. Character 4 General Types of Characters
Round – complex, presented in detail
Dynamic – developing and learning in the course of the story
Flat – characterized by one or two traits
Static – unchanged from the story’s beginning to end

9. Mood Developed by the setting and the atmosphere of the story:
Setting – the time and place in which the story is taking place, including factors such as weather and social conditions
Atmosphere – the overall feeling (vibe) which pervades the story

10. Point of View
Omniscient – “all knowing” - the author tells the story using the third person . The author knows all of what is said, done, and felt by the characters.
Limited omniscient – author tells the story from the third person, however limits observations of thoughts and feelings to one character
First person – one character tells the story in the first person. The reader sees and knows only as much as the narrator.
Objective – the author is like a movie camera, moves around, freely recording objects. The author offers no comment about the thoughts/feelings/actions of the characters.

11. Theme
The theme of a work of fiction is a universal idea or message that stretches through an entire story. A theme may show up in a pattern (such as reoccurring examples of beauty in simplicity) or a theme may come through as the result of a buildup (tragedy of war). It is often a lesson that we learn about life or people.

12. Theme
A theme is not a subject (examples of subjects: love, death, betrayal). Theme is what the author is saying about a specific subject.
A good way to identify theme is to think “After reading __________, the author wants me to know________”

13. Sample Theme Statement
After reading Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare wants me to know that love is a violent, ecstatic, overpowering force that supersedes all other values, loyalties, and emotions.

14. Think of A Sample Theme Statement for your favourite story or movie as a child
The Lion King
Cinderella
Harry Potter
The Hunger Games