The Facts About Fiction 

1. The Facts About Fiction  Based on true story…or is it?

2. Why do people write and read stories? • Escapism • Imagine possibilities, experience places you haven’t been—no matter how absurd or fantastical • Find truth, not facts • Entertainment • Learn morality • Learn philosophy—be exposed to new ideas

3. What are the “advantages” of fiction? • Isn’t constrained by facts • Can be very effective at providing insights into/philosophies about human nature • Has the advantage of using storytelling techniques to draw readers in, entertain and lead them somewhere—easier to manipulate readers • Familiar archetypes/symbols to connect readers/society

4. What makes a “good” story? • A good story is anything that makes you “feel” something; it affects you in some way—maybe it makes you laugh, cry, think, get angry, etc. • It helps you to understand some aspect of the human condition a little bit better than you already do; it helps you to expand your understanding of the world. • It helps you to somehow better understand you.

5. What stories have affected you in some way?

6. What are the basic elements of a well-crafted story? • Plot& Conflict • Setting & Mood • Character Type, Characterization, Character Development • Point of View/Perspective • Symbolism (& Motif) • Style (& Tone) • Theme

7. So what do you know about PLOT? • Definition? (See PLOT PP.) • How does it relate to conflict? (See PLOT PP.) • What are the building blocks of plot? (See PLOT PP.) • CLASS ACTIVITY: Let’s create a basic plot together! • TEXT: The Sniper • Progress Assessment: Map out the parts of plot for “The Sniper”. • Tying it all together: How does the author’s plot choices help to have more of an impact and create more meaning? • Creative Task/Progress Assessment: Plot Comic

8. So let’s talk about conflict! • Definition? (See CONFLICT PP.) • How does it relate to plot? (See CONFLICT PP.) • What are the types of conflict? (See CONFLICT PP.) • CLASS ACTIVITY: Students brainstorm for and discuss examples of each type of conflict from books and movies they’ve read or watched. • TEXT: “Death by Scrabble” • Progress Assessment: SGQ for “Death by Scrabble” • Tying it all together: How can an author’s conflict choices create a better story or make a bigger impact on the reader? • Creative Task: NONE

9. Setting & Mood • Definition and Notes (See Setting & Mood PP.) • CLASS ACTIVITY: ROOM RAIDERS!!!! • TEXT: “The Silent Towns” • Progress Assessment: SGQ for “The Silent Towns” • Tying it all together: How can an author’s setting choices create a more effective mood? How might an author’s setting choices change the feeling or effectiveness for certain stories? • Creative Task: NONE

10. Character Type, Characterization and Character Development • Definition and Notes (See Character(ization) pp.) • CLASS ACTIVITY: “Class Character Story” (See pp.) • TEXT: “The Possibility of Evil” • Progress Assessment: SGQ for “The Possibility of Evil” • Tying it all together: How can an author’s character choices make or break the effectiveness of a character or story overall? How are character development and theme connected? (See pp.) • Creative Task: TBD

11. Point of View

12. Symbolism

13. Diction Choices: Style and Tone

14. Theme

15. Recap

16. Review Discussion and Assignment(s)

17. Any Questions?

18. Final Assessment(s)