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 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 your actors in the story. They can be round (true-to-life), dynamic (experience change), flat (shallow and undeveloped), or static (do not experience change). In general, you will have a protagonist (main character) and an antagonist (character who is an adversary for the protagonist).
© Laura Torres 2011

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

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

7. Conflict 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
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