1. Elements of Fiction Notes 2012 Mr. Linville Sophomore English

2. Characterization Characterization is the term which describes how an author creates and develops a character. When studying a short story, the reader should consider the following: A.The character’s actions and deeds B.The character’s spoken or unspoken thoughts C.The character’s physical characteristics D.Other characters’ thoughts about and reactions to the character E.The narrator’s thoughts concerning the character

3. Character Types A. The protagonist is the main character of a story. The protagonist is 1) the character who discovers the theme of the story or 2) the character whose central conflict allows the reader to discover the theme B.The antagonist opposes the main character. C.Major and minor characters serve many functions. They help to develop the protagonist’s character and to clarify his/her central conflict. D.Flat characters have one-dimensional personalities. E.Round characters have multi-dimensional personalities. F.Static characters are set in their ways; they do not show a change in their personalities during the story. G.Dynamic characters are open to or capable of change in their thoughts, attitudes, or opinions during the story.

4. Narrator and Point of View The Narrator is the character who tells the story. He/She may or may not be part of the story itself. Point of view is the perspective the narrator uses to tell the story. Perspective refers to the knowledge, attitudes and biases of the narrator. A. 1st Person – “I” voice – The narrator is a character in the story. B. 2 nd Person – “You” – The reader is either being addressed by the writer, or assumes the position of the “main character” C. 3rd Person Omniscient The narrator is not a character in the story. The narrator reveals thoughts and feelings of more than one character in the story. D. 3rd Person Limited The narrator is not a character in the story. The narrator focuses on the thoughts of one particular character in the story.

5. Symbol A symbol is an object or event that has a meaning, or range of meanings beyond itself. A.Some symbols are “universal”. They are recognized and understood by many people. For example, a dove often represents peace; a rose often means beauty; a long trip for a young person often suggests a journey to adulthood. Some symbols depend on associations with other symbols; the color green symbolizes plants or vegetation, which in turn, symbolizes growth. B.Some symbols are invented. An author creates and uses symbols in a story to emphasize key ideas. An author can make an object or event symbolic through repetition; by association with words, ideas, or feelings; or by a placement in a meaningful position in the story (e.g. climax, denouement).

6. Plot Plot is the action of the story. More specifically, it is the series of incidents which introduce, develop, and resolve the central conflict within the story. A.Exposition provides information about the characters and setting. It may also hint about upcoming conflicts in the story. B.Inciting Incident is the event which launches the central conflict in the story. C.Complications (a.k.a. Rising Action) are the events in the story which intensify the conflicts and create greater tension in the story. D.Climax/Turning Point is the point in the story when the tension of the central conflict is greatest. At this point there is a change in the main character’s situation. E.Resolution (a.k.a. Falling Action) is when the central conflict is resolved, and the tension in the story decreases. F.Denouement is the final bit of action and/or image in the story. How the author ties up the loose ends and concludes the story is often an important clue to theme.

7. Setting Setting is the time period, time span, place, and overall atmosphere of a story. A.Time period is the year, month, and time of day during which the actions occur. B.Time span is the amount of time that elapses between the beginning and the end of the story. C. Place is the real or imaginary location in which the actions occur. D. Atmosphere is the feeling or mood an author creates through his/her descriptions of time, place, and character interactions.

8. Conflict and Conflict Types Conflict is a struggle between two opposing forces in a story. Conflicts can be internal or external. A. Character vs. Character 1.Character vs. him/her self (internal conflict) 2.Character vs. another individual 3.Character vs. group 4.Character vs. society B.Character vs. Nature 1.Character vs. animal 2.Character vs. elements 3.Character vs. geography C.Character vs. Supernatural 1.Character vs. ghost or monster 2.Character vs. God or gods 3.Character vs. Fate Conflicts can be central or secondary. A.A central conflict reflects the main character’s primary struggle in the story. B.A secondary conflict can be between, among, or within any characters or forces in the story.

9. Theme Theme is the intended message of a literary work. A piece of literature has both a subject and a theme. Often a work can have multiple subjects and multiple themes. In poetry, fiction, and drama it is the abstract concept that is made concrete through representation in person, action, and image. No proper theme is simply a subject or activity. “Sports” or “Frustration” as individual topics are not proper themes. But a combination of the two could be, such as “The frustration of failing at sports

10. Irony Broadly, Irony has to the do with the recognition of opposite forces or ideas held within a single moment or issue. Verbal Irony: a writer or speaker says one thing and means something entirely different Dramatic Irony: a reader or audience perceives something that a character in the story does not know Situational Irony: the writer shows a discrepancy between the expected results of some action or situation and its actual results—usually the opposite of what is expected.