Elements of FictionSetting, Characters,

Setting

Technically, the setting is “where the story takes place,” but there are other factors to consider.

Setting

Geographic locations (Idaho, Seattle, North Pole, etc.)

Setting

Time Periods (10,000 B.C., the future, etc.)

Setting

Social and economic aspects of the place (wealthy Bellevue, slums of India, etc.)

Setting

Highly specific place, such as a room, building, neighborhood (Garfield High School, Mr. Kahn’s classroom, under the table)

Character

…the people or things presented as people in the story

Character Types:

Dynamic Character: someone who somehow changes during the story. Perhaps they change their outlook on something or redeem themselves.

Static Character: someone who does not change during the story

Round Character: a well-developed character with many various traits.

Flat Character: a character with one or two traits.

Stock Character: a recognizable stereotype (boastful jock, evil stepmother, etc.

Characterization

How the author develops the characters.

Characters

Protagonist: the main character of the story.

Antagonist: the character who opposes the protagonist

Point of View

…the perspective from which the story is told

“Who is telling the story/how do we know what is going on?”

Tells us how information much we can trust.

First Person

3rd Person Limited

3rd Person Omniscient

Plot

…the structure of the actions and events in the story.

Plot Elements

Exposition: the information we have at the beginning of the story

Rising Action: the series of conflicts in the story that builds the plot.

Climax: The most intense point in the story, usually a turning point.

Plot Elements

Falling action: events after the climax, usually decreasing in intesity

Resolution: the conclusion of the story when everything gets tied together.

Plot Elements:

Conflict: the struggle the main character must overcome. No conflict, no plot.

Theme

…the central message or idea of the story. Usually relates to the human condition

“What is the author trying to say?”

Symbolism

…something that represents a larger concept

Foreshadowing

…clues in the text that hint at what will happen later.

Tone vs. Mood

Tone: the author’s attitude towards the subject.

Ex) sarcastic, humorous, serious, etc.

• Mood: the atmosphere created by the story/how the story makes us feel as we read.

Ex) Dark, depressing, romantic, calm, etc.