1. Elements of Fiction

2. Why do author’s write fiction? Why are not all stories true?

3. Fiction: Short Story (flash fiction): extremely brief story
Novella: a story of intermediate length
Novel: long work of prose fiction. Includes:

4. Character
Character: a person (or sometimes an animal) who figures in the action of a literary work.
Character trait-
Examples:

5. Character
Protagonist: main character; the central figure in a literary work.
Examples:
Antagonist: a character who is pitted against a protagonist

6. Character
Major:
Minor:

7. Character
Flat (________________________________________): a character who exhibits a single dominant quality
Examples:
Rounded (___________________________________):
a character who exhibits the complexity of traits associated with human beings

8. Character Static: Dynamic:
Stock: character found again and again in different literary works
Examples:

9. Motivation
Motivation: the force that moves a character to ___________, ____________, or _____________ in a certain way

10. Characterization: Use of literary techniques to create a character

11. Direct Description The author comments on character through:
The author communicates appearance, habits, dress, background, personality, motivations, etc.

12. Examples A man wearing black with darting dark eyes
A young woman in white

13. Portrayal of Character’s Behavior
Author uses _________________ and _______________ of a character
Reader draws his or her own conclusions from what character _______________ or ____________________

14. Representations of Internal States
Reveals character’s private thoughts usually through internal monologue
Example:
Now don't misunderstand me, I mean, I want you to know from the beginning that I'm not really stupid. I know what's right and wrong for a girl to do. I get around, I read, I listen to my friends, and I have two older brothers to tell me what to do. I know it's becoming to wear slimming skirts and smart blouses, and stockings, and French-heeled shoes. And I know your hair should be kept neatly, with maybe a little bow at the top. Now me, I don't wear my hair too high like some; it makes me too young, and it just doesn't suit me. Well, anyway, I'm not in the least bit small- town. I read "Dear Abby." I read Woman’s Day.  I get to know how men think, how to make my cheeks look like they have natural blush, and what is currently the prettiest. This isn't really what I wanted to tell you. I just wanted you to get the general idea of how I'm not stupid. It's vital that you understand that.
You see, it was funny how I met him.

15. Who is this character?
How is this character portrayed?  (What’s this character’s personality?)
Where/when is the character?
What’s the situation?