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Fiction What is Fiction?
Definition of Fiction • Fiction: is any form of narrative which deals, in part or in whole, with events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary and invented by its author(s). Although fiction often describes a major branch of literary works, it is also applied to theatrical, cinematic, and musical works. In contrast to this is non-fiction events (e.g.: biographies, autobiographies). Semi-fiction is fiction implementing a great deal of non-fiction,e.g. a fictional description such as; based on a true story
Elements of Fiction • Setting • Character • Plot • Point of View • Theme • Symbolism • Other
Quick Check • What defines fiction? • Fiction is any form of narrative which deals, in part or in whole, with events that are not factual • What is semi-fiction? • Semi-fiction is fiction implementing a great deal of non-fiction, e.g. a fictional description such as; based on a true story • List several types of elements of fiction. • Setting, character, plot, point of view, theme, symbolism and others
Setting What is setting?
Setting • The setting provides us with the when and where the story took place. In addition, the context (time) or historical background in which the story is set provides us with additional plot information. • Setting: can help in the portrayal of character.
Setting: can establish the atmosphere of a work. • “During the whole of a dull, dark, and soundless day in the autumn of the year, when the clouds hung oppressively low in the heavens, I had been passing alone, on horseback, through a singularly dreary tract of country.” • “The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allan Poe
Characterization • Who is the protagonist? • Who is the antagonist?
Character • The main character in a story is called the protagonist. She or he is always involved in the main conflict and its resolution. • The person opposing the protagonist is called the antagonist.
Types of Characterizations • Flat • Round • Dynamic • Static
Flat Characterization • A character who has one or two sides, representing one or two traits—often a stereotype, shallow or symbolic. Flat characters help move the plot along more quickly because the audience immediately understands what the character is about. • Example:Bella’s dad is a cop, he's very reserved. doesn't talk much and doesn't enjoy speaking emotionally aloud, such as I love you and etc.
Round Characterization • A character who is complex and has many sides or traits with unpredictable behavior and a fully developed personality. Antagonists are usually a round characterization
Dynamic Characterization • A character who experiences an essential change in personality or attitude. Protagonists are almost always dynamic.
Static Characterization • A character who does not change or develop beyond the way in which she or he is first presented.
Quick Check • What is setting? • It is the when, where and time • The main character is usually called the_____ and their opponent is called the_____? • Protagonist and Antagonist • List three other types of character • Flat, round, static and dynamic
Plot What is the Plot?
Plot • The series of events and actions that takes place in a story.
Plot Example • It's the 21st century, but the gods of Mount Olympus and assorted monsters have walked out of the pages of high school student Percy Jackson's Greek mythology texts and into his life. And they're not happy: Zeus' lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect. Even more troubling is the sudden disappearance of Percy's mother. As Percy finds himself caught between angry and battling gods, he and his friends embark on a cross-country adventure to catch the true lightning thief, save Percy's mom, and unravel a mystery more powerful than the gods themselves.
Elements of Plot What are the elements of plot?
Elements of Plot • Man VS Man • Man VS Nature • Man VS Society • Man VS Himself
Man vs. Man • Occurs when a character has an argument, fight or disagreement with another character ( man, woman, or child).
Man VS Nature • The protagonist in the story experiences conflict with the elements of nature
Man VS Society • Occurs when a character disagrees with societal values, laws or beliefs. • Example: The order was formed because of the ministry ruling on the teaching of the dark arts
Man VS Himself • Occurs when the character develops an internal struggle between his thoughts and ideas. • Also called internal conflict
Plot Line • Exposition- Intro • Rising Action • Climax • Falling Action • Resolution
Plot Line • Exposition: The start of the story. The way things are before the action starts. • Rising Action: the series of conflicts and crisis in the story that lead to the climax. • Climax: The turning point. The most intense moment (either mentally or in action. • Falling Action: all of the action which follows the Climax. • Resolution: The conclusion, the tying together of all of the threads.
Theme • The theme of a piece of fiction is its central idea. It usually contains some insight into the human condition. • In most short stories, the theme can be expressed in a single sentence. • In longer works of fiction, the central theme is often accompanied by a number of lesser, related themes, or there may be two or more central themes. • Themes should be stated as a generalization
Example of Theme • The Relationship Between Knowledge and Time • Knowledge is absolutely crucial to Harry’s survival, and, fittingly, his experiences as a boarding school student provide the most prominent narrative arcs in the series. Unlike contemporary students, who have access to computers and other knowledge-accelerating technology, Harry’s education must happen slowly and carefully over an extended period of time, often via trial and error. For Harry, the acquisition of knowledge is explicitly and often painfully linked to the passage of time. For example, Harry must live with his last remaining blood relatives, the hideous Dursleys, for eleven years until Dumbledore finally decides Harry is ready to experience life as a Wizard. Likewise, Harry must wait until he is no longer an “underage wizard” before he is allowed to safely use his magic outside of Hogwarts. (Harry’s defiance of this rule—in self-defense—provides the main conflict for the first few chapters of Book V). Harry must also wait nearly sixteen years until he is allowed to know the truth about his scar and hear about the prophecy that was made before his birth. He must wait for Dumbledore to finally explain Harry’s kill-or-be-killed link to Voldemort. He does not learn the mission of the Order of the Phoenix until he discovers it himself.
Quick Check • What are the elements of plot? • Man VS Man, Man VS Nature, Man VS Society, Man VS Himself • List the 5 elements of a plot line • Exposition (intro), rising action, climax, falling action and resolution • What is theme? • The theme of a piece of fiction is its central idea
Point of View What is point of view?
Narration • First person:The narrator tells the story and is a character in the story. (Pronouns: I, me, us, we, our, etc.) • Third person omniscient point of view: The narrator is not a character in the story but can tell you the thoughts and actions of all characters at all times. (Pronouns: he, she, him, her, they, them, etc.) • Third person limited omniscient: The narrator is not a character in the story but can tell you the thoughts and actions of a few key characters at all times. (Pronouns: he, she, him, her, they, them, etc.)
Symbolism What is symbolism?
Symbolism • is the applied use of symbols: iconic representations that carry particular conventional meanings
Other • Flashbacks: are often used to recount events that happened prior to the story's primary sequence of events or to fill in crucial backstory.
Other • Personification:is an ontological metaphor in which a thing or abstraction is represented as a person
Other • Foreshadowing: early clues about what will happen later in a piece of fiction. • During the Yule Ball, Dumbledore mentions that he was wandering through the corridors in search of a bathroom when a room full of chamber pots suddenly appeared in a place he had not previously known existed. In Order of the Phoenix we learn that this is the Room of Requirement.
Other • Irony: a difference between what is expected and reality • Harry didn't ask to be famous, yet he is. He would prefer just to go along about his business, but "someone" put his name into the goblet. This forces him back into the spotlight which is not where he wants to be, yet he cannot back out, making it look like he is flaunting his fame.
Other • Metaphor: is language that directly compares seemingly unrelated subjects. It is a figure of speech that compares two or more things not using like or as. • Example: A giant of a man was standing in the doorway. His face was almost completely hidden by a long, shaggy mane of hair and a wild, tangled beard,
Forms of Fiction What are some forms of fiction?
Forms of Fiction • Traditionally, fiction includes novels, short stories, fables, fairy tales, plays, poetry, but it now also encompasses films, comic books, and video games
Categories of Fiction • Flash fiction: A work of fewer than 2,000 words. (1,000 by some definitions) (around 5 pages) • Short story: A work of at least 2,000 words but under 7,500 words. (5-25 pages) • Novelette: A work of at least 7,500 words but under 17,500 words. (25-60 pages) • Novella: A work of at least 17,500 words but under 50,000 words. (60-170 pages) • Novel: A work of 50,000 words or more. (about 170+ pages) • Epic: A work of 200,000 words or more. (about 680+ pages)
You Do • On the left side of your interactive notebook, list one of each kind of fiction learned today (do not use any examples given today). Make sure to illustrate and color.
