Elements of Fiction Plot, Character, Setting, Point of View& Theme.
Transcript of Elements of Fiction Plot, Character, Setting, Point of View& Theme.
Elements of FictionElements of Fiction
Plot, Character, Setting, Plot, Character, Setting,
Point of View& ThemePoint of View& Theme
Fiction: A Genre of LiteratureFiction: A Genre of Literature
Works of prose that have Works of prose that have imaginaryimaginary elements elements Can be inspired by actual events and real Can be inspired by actual events and real
people, but springs from writers’ imaginationspeople, but springs from writers’ imaginations 2 major types: Novels and Short Stories2 major types: Novels and Short Stories 4 Basic Elements:4 Basic Elements:
Plot, Character, Setting, & ThemePlot, Character, Setting, & Theme
#1 Plot#1 Plot
Sequence of events that make up a storySequence of events that make up a story Almost always built around CONFLICTSAlmost always built around CONFLICTS
(problems or struggles)(problems or struggles) 5 main stages5 main stages
1. Exposition1. Exposition
2. Rising Actions2. Rising Actions3. Climax3. Climax4. Falling Actions4. Falling Actions5. Resolution5. Resolution
Plot DiagramPlot Diagram
Exposition
Rising
Act
ions
Climax
Falling Actions
Resolution
Introduction – background info;Sets the stage for the story;
Introduces characters, setting, & conflict
Complications Grow
Conflict ↑ & Tension ↑
Development of complications & problems leading to the climax;Suspense builds & plot “thickens”
Turning point in the story; Most tension or suspense;
Can be anywhere in the novel
Actions following climax;
Conflict starts to resolve
(Denouement) French: “untying of knots”
ConclusionFinal outcome of the story
Conflicts in a PlotConflicts in a Plot
Conflict – struggle or problemConflict – struggle or problem
2 main kinds: External vs. Internal2 main kinds: External vs. Internal
1) External – a struggle outside of the 1) External – a struggle outside of the character; against someone or something elsecharacter; against someone or something else
2) Internal – a struggle within a character’s 2) Internal – a struggle within a character’s mind or heartmind or heart
Types of ConflictTypes of Conflict
4 types4 types
Personvs.
Nature
Self
Society Person
Sequence & Development of PlotSequence & Development of Plot
Author’s carefully choose the sequence of Author’s carefully choose the sequence of events and the timeline in which the plot is events and the timeline in which the plot is developed (the order the events are presented)developed (the order the events are presented)
Chronological Order, Reverse OrderChronological Order, Reverse Order
TIME LINESTART END
Flashback Foreshadow Flash-Forward
Presents episodes/eventsFrom the past
Hints or clues of whatIs to happen later on Jumps ahead to
Future events
#2 Character#2 Character
Main CharactersMain Characters Protagonist: the main character; often the narratorProtagonist: the main character; often the narrator Antagonist: character that the protagonist struggles Antagonist: character that the protagonist struggles
against and must overcomeagainst and must overcome
Subordinate CharactersSubordinate Characters Minor characters who add depth and complication Minor characters who add depth and complication
Describing a CharacterDescribing a Character
RoundRound vs. vs. Flat Flat CharactersCharacters Round: have several sides to their personality;Round: have several sides to their personality;
complex, fully developedcomplex, fully developed Flat: have few traits; UndevelopedFlat: have few traits; Undeveloped
DynamicDynamic vs. vs. StaticStatic Characters Characters Dynamic: grow or change by the end of the story;Dynamic: grow or change by the end of the story;
take action, change behavior or take action, change behavior or attitudesattitudes
Static: don’t grow or change; stay the sameStatic: don’t grow or change; stay the same
What is Characterization?What is Characterization?
The way writers create characters in a storyThe way writers create characters in a story 2 ways:2 ways:
Direct Characterization –Direct Characterization –tellstells us directly what a character is like or us directly what a character is like or
what a person’s motives arewhat a person’s motives are
Indirect Characterization –Indirect Characterization –showsshows us a character but we have to us a character but we have to
interpretinterpret the character ourselves the character ourselves
What are the methods of What are the methods of INDIRECT Characterization?INDIRECT Characterization?
Character’s SPEECHCharacter’s SPEECH 11stst person narration – character speaks directly to person narration – character speaks directly to
the readerthe reader Dialogue – what they have to say to themselves and to Dialogue – what they have to say to themselves and to
othersothers Character’s APPEARANCE – look & dressCharacter’s APPEARANCE – look & dress Character’s PRIVATE THOUGHTS Character’s PRIVATE THOUGHTS Character’s INTERACTIONS – how other characters Character’s INTERACTIONS – how other characters
in the story feel about them or interact with themin the story feel about them or interact with them Character ACTIONS – what they do & how they actCharacter ACTIONS – what they do & how they act
#3 SETTING#3 SETTING
Tells us WHERE and WHEN a story takes Tells us WHERE and WHEN a story takes placeplace
Can reveal about the charactersCan reveal about the characters Can provide MOOD or ATMOSPHERECan provide MOOD or ATMOSPHERE Expresses a TONE Expresses a TONE
(attitude toward a subject or character)(attitude toward a subject or character)
#4 Point of View#4 Point of View
Each story has a NARRATOR (storyteller).Each story has a NARRATOR (storyteller).
The narrator can tell the story as one of the The narrator can tell the story as one of the characters or can be a storyteller outside of it.characters or can be a storyteller outside of it.
The narrator can take on one of three POINTS The narrator can take on one of three POINTS OF VIEW (the perspective in which the story OF VIEW (the perspective in which the story is told)is told)
First PersonFirst Person
A character in the story (often the main A character in the story (often the main character)character)
Tells us the story directly to the reader from Tells us the story directly to the reader from his/her own perspectivehis/her own perspective
Reveals personal thoughts and opinionsReveals personal thoughts and opinions Uses words like “I/we/my” in NARRATIONUses words like “I/we/my” in NARRATION Not always reliable or credibleNot always reliable or credible
Third Person LimitedThird Person Limited
Narrator is not in the story; instead is on the Narrator is not in the story; instead is on the outside looking inoutside looking in
Zooms in on one specific character and that Zooms in on one specific character and that character’s perspective (thoughts/feelings)character’s perspective (thoughts/feelings)
Uses words like “he/she” in NARRATIONUses words like “he/she” in NARRATION
Third Person OMNISCIENTThird Person OMNISCIENT
Narrator is not in the story; is on the outside looking Narrator is not in the story; is on the outside looking inin
Doesn’t focus on just one characterDoesn’t focus on just one character
Omniscient = “all knowing” narratorOmniscient = “all knowing” narrator Tells us what EVERY character thinks and feelsTells us what EVERY character thinks and feels
Uses words like “he/she’ in NARRATIONUses words like “he/she’ in NARRATION
Points of ViewPoints of View
First PersonFirst Person Third PersonThird Person
LimitedLimited
Third PersonThird Person
OmniscientOmniscient IN the storyIN the story
ONE characterONE character
““I/we/my”I/we/my”
OUTSIDE of OUTSIDE of the storythe story
ONE characterONE character
“ “He/She”He/She”
OUTSIDE of OUTSIDE of the storythe story
MANY MANY characterscharacters
““He/She”He/She”
Identify the POVIdentify the POV
““Love in L.A.” Love in L.A.”
““Initiation”Initiation”
““Hills Like White Elephants”Hills Like White Elephants”
#5 THEME#5 THEME
Central idea or messageCentral idea or message
Insight or perception about life or human nature that Insight or perception about life or human nature that the writer wants to communicatethe writer wants to communicate
Seldom stated DIRECTLY Seldom stated DIRECTLY must be INFERRED must be INFERRED (the reader must find meaning)(the reader must find meaning)
It is NOT a It is NOT a subjectsubject. It is a . It is a STATEMENTSTATEMENT..Friendship Friendship True friendship can outlast any True friendship can outlast any conflict.conflict.
There can be more than one theme in a story.There can be more than one theme in a story.
Finding ThemesFinding Themes
Themes can be revealed byThemes can be revealed by The conflicts of the storyThe conflicts of the story The ways characters changeThe ways characters change The statements made in dialogue or narrationThe statements made in dialogue or narration Symbols within the storySymbols within the story The work’s titleThe work’s title
Examples of ThemesExamples of Themes
The conflicts of the storyThe conflicts of the story““Love in L.A” reveals how superficial people can be in the Love in L.A” reveals how superficial people can be in the conquest of love. conquest of love.
The ways characters change/symbols in the storyThe ways characters change/symbols in the storyIn “Initiation”, the freedom and uniqueness of one’s In “Initiation”, the freedom and uniqueness of one’s individuality is more important than the pressures of individuality is more important than the pressures of conformity.conformity.
Symbols within the storySymbols within the storyThe hills of the story, “Hills Like White Elephants” represent The hills of the story, “Hills Like White Elephants” represent the difficult decisions and contrasting viewpoints that the idea the difficult decisions and contrasting viewpoints that the idea of abortion creates.of abortion creates.