The Elements of Fiction

1. The Elements of Fiction What has to be there…

2. Plot • The plot is the story line that follows a specific pattern. That pattern has 5 parts: • Exposition • Rising action • Climax • Falling action • Resolution Let’s take a look at what each one is! }beginning }middle } end

3. 1. Exposition • This usually occurs at the beginning of a short story. Here the characters are introduced. We also learn about the setting of the story. Most importantly, we are introduced to the main conflict. Occurs= happens Introduced= to have met (someone) Conflict= problem

4. 2. Rising Action • This part of the story begins to develop the conflict(s). A building of interest or suspense occurs. Building= creating suspense= to wonder what happens next

5. 3. Climax • This is the turning point of the story. Usually the main character comes face to face with a conflict. The main character will change in some way. Here, change means to learn a lesson or grow as a person.

6. 4. Falling Action • All loose ends of the plot are tied up. The conflict(s) and climax are taken care of. Taken care of= finished.

7. 5. Resolution • The story comes to a reasonable ending.

8. Character • Characters are the people/animals/creatures in the story. There are 2 kinds of characters: • Main Characters • The story revolves around them. • They undergo a change or grow as a character throughout the rising action and climax of the story. • Secondary Characters • They are only there to aide the main character. • They are unchanging throughout the story. Revolves around= is about Undergo= goes through Aide=help

9. Setting • Setting is where the story takes place. • It can be the actual place, but also the time period. (The where and when.)

10. Theme • Theme is the type of story being told. For example: • Romance • Supernatural • Horror • Mystery • Western • Science fiction • Historical fiction

11. Conflict • This is what makes the story go through the 5 parts of plot. There are multiple types of conflict: • Person vs. person • Person vs. self • Person vs. society • Person vs. supernatural • Person vs. nature • Person vs. technology Multiple=many Good guy vs. bad guy Fighting with himself over the right thing to do A person/group fighting the government Normal versus something not normal Man versus something in the wild Man versus artificial intelligence Artificial intelligence= fake brain. Like a computer or robot.

12. So… • So what are the 5 Elements of Fiction? • Plot • Character • Setting • Theme • Conflict

13. Your turn! • Get into groups of 4! • Figure out a movie you have all seen! (Go back to the basics if you need to– Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White… you get it.) • Write down where the elements of fiction are in the film you have picked. • The elements of fiction are: plot, character, setting, theme, conflict. • For extra brownie points, pull out plot into it’s 5 parts! • The parts of plot are: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution. Some information provided by: http://alex.state.al.us/lesson_view.php?id=6991