Elements of Fiction

1. Elements of Fiction Setting, Characters,

2. Setting • Technically, the setting is “where the story takes place,” but there are other factors to consider.

3. Setting • Geographic locations (Idaho, Seattle, North Pole, etc.)

4. Setting • Time Periods (10,000 B.C., the future, etc.)

5. Setting • Social and economic aspects of the place (wealthy Bellevue, slums of India, etc.)

6. Setting • Highly specific place, such as a room, building, neighborhood (Garfield High School, Mr. Kahn’s classroom, under the table)

7. Character • …the people or things presented as people in the story

8. Character Types: • Dynamic Character: someone who somehow changes during the story. Perhaps they change their outlook on something or redeem themselves. • Static Character: someone who does not change during the story • Round Character: a well-developed character with many various traits. • Flat Character: a character with one or two traits. • Stock Character: a recognizable stereotype (boastful jock, evil stepmother, etc.

9. Characterization • How the author develops the characters.

10. Characters • Protagonist: the main character of the story. • Antagonist: the character who opposes the protagonist

11. Point of View • …the perspective from which the story is told • “Who is telling the story/how do we know what is going on?” • Tells us how information much we can trust. • First Person • 3rd Person Limited • 3rd Person Omniscient

12. Plot • …the structure of the actions and events in the story.

13. Plot Elements • Exposition: the information we have at the beginning of the story • Rising Action: the series of conflicts in the story that builds the plot. • Climax: The most intense point in the story, usually a turning point.

14. Plot Elements • Falling action: events after the climax, usually decreasing in intesity • Resolution: the conclusion of the story when everything gets tied together.

15. Plot Elements: • Conflict: the struggle the main character must overcome. No conflict, no plot.

16. Theme • …the central message or idea of the story. Usually relates to the human condition • “What is the author trying to say?”

17. Symbolism • …something that represents a larger concept

18. Foreshadowing • …clues in the text that hint at what will happen later.

19. Tone vs. Mood • Tone: the author’s attitude towards the subject. • Ex) sarcastic, humorous, serious, etc. • Mood: the atmosphere created by the story/how the story makes us feel as we read. • Ex) Dark, depressing, romantic, calm, etc.