FICTION
TERMS
Fiction
Writing that comes from a writers imagination.
Depending on its length, a work of fiction may be classified as a
short story or as a novel.
Short Story Usually revolves
around a single idea
Is short enough to be read at one sitting
Novel Involves a more
complicated plot A longer work
Both novels and short stories contain four main
elements:
Plot Character Setting Theme
Plot The sequence of
events in a story A plot is usually
built around a central conflict involving two or more opposing forces
Plot Complications
Events or problems that make it more difficult to resolve the conflict
Plot: 5 Stages Exposition
Provides background for the story. Characters are introduced, and the setting is described
Rising ActionCentral
conflict begins to unfold. Complications are introduced and suspense builds.
Plot: 5 Stages Climax
The point of greatest interest or suspense in the story; the turning point, when the action reaches a peak. The climax may occur because of a decision the characters reach or because of a discovery or an even t that changes or a solution to the conflict.
Falling Action Occurs after the
climax and resolves the conflict.
Plot: 5 Stages Resolution/
DenoumentThe loose ends are
tied up and the story comes to a close.
Plot Diagram
Character
The people, animals, or imaginary creatures that take part in the action of a story
Character
Main CharacterThe character
the story is centered around.
Minor CharactersOther less
important characters that the main character/s interact with. These characters help to move the plot along.
Characters Have: Motives
A character’s emotions, desires, or needs that prompt action
TraitsMore
permanent qualities in a characters personality
GentlenessBoldness
Both cause a character to act or react to situations and
other characters
Setting The time and place in which the actions of the story happens
Also includes the customs and culture of the place and time
Often plays a role in the plot and the development of characters
Them
e The meaning, moral, or message about life that the writer conveys to the reader
Most themes are revealed:
In the title In important
phrases and statements about ideas like courage and freedom
In the ways characters change, and the lessons they learn about life
The central topic, subject, or concept the author is trying to point out
Deductive reasoning works from the more general to the more specific.
Inductive reasoning works the other way, moving from specific observations to broader generalizations and theories
Inductive & Deductive Reasoning
Characterization The process by which the writer reveals
the personality of a character. Characterization is revealed through direct characterization and indirect characterization.
Direct Characterization
tells the audience what the personality of the character is.
Example: “The patient boy and quiet girl were both well mannered and did not disobey their mother.”
Explanation: The author is directly telling the audience the personality of these two children. The boy is “patient” and the girl is “quiet.”
Indirect Characterization
shows things that reveal the personality of a character. There are five different methods of indirect characterization:
First Person Includes the thoughts and perspective of one main
character, who's telling his/her own story. Uses the pronoun I.
As I walked up the hill, I realized that the atmosphere was just too quiet. There was no sound from the cardinal who was nearly always singing from the top of the maple tree.Second Person Turns the reader into the character. Uses the
pronoun You.As you walk up the hill, you realize that the atmosphere's just too quiet. There's no sound from the cardinal you know is almost always singing from the top of the maple tree. Point of
view
Third Person Limited Includes the thoughts and perspective of one
main character. Uses the pronoun He/She.As she walked up the hill, she realized that the atmosphere was just too quiet. There was no sound from the cardinal who she so often heard singing from the top of the maple tree.
Third Person Omniscient All-knowing; can include thoughts and
perspective of all characters. Uses the pronoun He/She.
As the girl walked up the hill, she realized that the atmosphere was just too quiet. The cardinal tipped his head back and drew breath to sing, but just as the first note passed his beak he heard the crack of a dead branch far below his perch high in the maple tree.
Point of View
Author’s Purpose Author’s Purpose is the reason
why the text was written. There are three
main purposes to an author’s passage:
• Persuade• Inform• Entertain
Author’s Purpose: To Persuade It’s the author’s goal
to persuade the reader to agree with the author’s opinion.
Even though the author shares his opinion, he may provide facts or examples to support the opinion.
Examples: advertisements,
commercials, newspaper
editorials, etc.
Author's Purpose: To Inform
It’s the author’s goal to enlighten the reader with topics that are usually real or contain facts.
Facts are used to teach, not to persuade.
Examples: textbooks,
cookbooks, newspapers,
encyclopedias, etc.
Author’s Purpose: To Entertain
It is the author’s goal to tell a story or describe real or imaginary characters, places, and events
Examples: poems, stories,
plays, comic strips, etc.
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