1. Bringing history to life…
Historical Fiction
Bringing history to life…

2. Characteristics
Places appealing characters in accurately described historical settings
Although the story is imaginary, it is within the realm of possibility
Historical facts blend with story
Exposes reader to history on an emotional level through characters

3. Definition A narrative story of past events and characters
Partly historical but largely imaginative
Realistic fiction set in a time remote enough from the present to be considered history
History—study of change over time

4. Purpose
To entertain
To involve the reader in the lives of historically realistic characters and real events from history

5. Form
Opens with background information and introduces characters in a setting, conflict, problem or goal
The middle of the story develops the plot and builds to the climax
Plot includes the sequence of events set in motion by a problem that begins the action that is realistic for that period in history
Realistic fiction so characters must seem like real people and setting must be historically accurate

6. Features Setting is a specific time and place in history
Real events are mixed with fictional events
Historical characters are mixed with fictional characters
Dialogue shows characters perspectives and what people knew and thought about at that time in history

7. Conflict Person—against—self Person—against—person
Person—against—nature
Person—against—society