Elements of FictionCharacter (who)

Plot (what)

Setting (when, where)

Theme (why)

Style (how)

Character: types

Characterization is one of the most important elements of fiction. The reader must be able to connect with the characters.

Round: complex, developed character that changes

Flat: simple, often stereotyped character

Protagonist: the main character

Antagonist: character or force in conflict with the protagonist

Character : Point of View 1st person point of view:

Uses “I”

limited to the thoughts and perspective of one person

2nd person point of view:Uses “you” and speaks directly to the readerRarely used

3rd person point of view: uses “he”, “she” 3rd person limited – delivers the thoughts of just one (or very few)

characters3rd person omniscient – all knowing, can deliver thoughts and

feelings of any and all characters3rd person objective – the narrator provides details as an outisde

observer, no thoughts or feelings from characters.

Plot: the events of a story

The plot is about cause and effect more than just events that happen.Exposition: facts provided to establish the setting, toneForeshadowing: clues to what will happen later in the storyRising Action: events or moments of conflict that lead to the climaxConflict:

External ( man vs. man man vs. nature man vs. society)Internal (man vs. self )

Climax: The peak of the story, where the conflict is addressedFalling Action: the events that happen after the conflict to

come to a resolution

Setting: time and place

Setting can be a character or conflict issue (think The Perfect Storm, Into the Wild, Castaway)

Can establish the social context.

A big contributor to the overall mood of a piece.

Theme: the meaning, message, or concept

Steps sometimes used to present theme:The author uses images

imagery: sensory descriptions that create meaningWhen those images repeat they become symbols

symbols: repeated images that carry meaningsymbols can be universal (water=cleansing) or specific to the story or a culture

Symbols combined with characters create allegory and/or theme: allegory: symbols, characters, and events create a literal and metaphorical meaning theme: the overall meaning, message or concept

Style: the language choices of the writer

Elements of style include: point of view diction narration grammarspelling punctuationlanguage rhythmsentence structure imagery

Style is synonomous with voice.Style and voice create the TONE.

The tone is the attitude the story creates towards its subject matter.