1. Elements of Fiction Literary Elements – Part II

2. Plot, Exposition, Complications Plot: A series of related events that make up a story Exposition: The part of the story that introduces the characters, the setting, and the basic situation. Complications: Mini-conflicts that contribute to the rise in action

3. Climax, Resolution Climax: turning point or emotional high point of the story Resolution: the end or outcome of a conflict in a story

4. Diagram of A Short Story Falling Action

5. Conflict Struggle between opposing forces Two types: Internal External ***There may be more than one in a story.

6. Internal Conflict A character struggles within himself Man vs. Self

7. External Conflict A character struggles against an outside force: Man vs. Man Man vs. Society Man vs. Nature Man vs. Supernatural

8. Setting The time and place of a story. The basic situation when the story begins. The historical/political context Pay attention to sensory details!

9. Characters Protagonist: main character. Usually thought of as the “hero” but not always! Antagonist: character or force who struggles against the protagonist

10. Characterization Round: fully developed emotionally / physically Flat: reader has limited information about the character Dynamic: changes during story Static: does not change during story

11. Tone and Mood Tone: The writer’s attitude towards the audience and the subject matter Mood: The feeling created in the reader after reading a story. Each can be described in one word!

12. Point of View Perspective from which the story is told. First person: one character tells what they see, hear, etc. ; uses “I” Omniscient: Narrator outside of the story relates the events and tells what all the characters think and feel Third person limited: Narrator only sees the world through ONE character’s eyes

13. Foreshadowing Author gives hints about what is going to happen BEFORE it happens Think about movies!!!

14. Flashback When the events in a story momentarily stop so a story from the past can be told

15. Theme Most important message the author tells through their writing Message about human nature or the human condition NOT a plot summary! Ask yourself: “What is the author trying to teach me through this story, book, movie, etc.?”