ELEMENTS OF FICTION

ELEMENTS OF NARRATIVESThe notes.

1Narratives are stories that are either told orally or they are written down. They can be fiction or non-fiction.They take many forms. (see GENRE)They have several elements, or important parts. Narrative (from the word narrate meaning to tell.

2GENRE:the type of or certain kind of somethingIn this class it would be the type of literature we might be reading at the moment.

Fiction:NovelsFantasyFairy talesMysteryPoetryShort stories

Non-FictionBiographyAutobiographyNewspaperSpeechesMagazine articles

The plot is the action of the narrative. Narratives are organized in this way:Exposition: start of the storyRising action: problem is stated or revealed in this part of the storyClimax: high point of the storytension is greatest here,the problem is at its worst and may start to be solved)Falling action: the tension lessens, and the problem may be solved at this pointResolution: the reader learns the outcome of the story, or the end of the story

PLOTthe main character in the story, or the one most important to the action of a storyis also sometimes referred to as the hero in a storyRed Riding HoodThree Little PigsCat in the HatHarry Potter

PROTAGONIST:

The force working against the main character in the storyNote: The antagonist does not have to be a person (human)The Big Bad WolfThing One, Thing TwoSome uncontrollable force or event in life

ANTAGONIST:

POINT OF VIEW:the perspective or vantage point from which an author tells a story.

1st person: the story is told by someone in (who is part of) the story.

In 1st person, the writer or speaker will use these types of pronouns: me, we, us, etc.3rd person:The story is told by someone who is outside (who is not a part) of the story.

In 3rd person, the writer or speaker will use these types of pronouns: he, she, they, etc.

In this class, we will only be dealing with two Points of View:the authors specific reason for writing:When asked about authors purpose, or the authors reason for writing, limit your answer to these responses:To inform or explainTo entertainTo persuadeTo enlighten (teach an important truth or a lesson)

AUTHORS PURPOSE:The problem or situation around which the plot of a fiction narrative revolves.There are 5 main types of conflict:

CONFLICTThe man character has a problem with another character

Note: Dont take that literally. The other character does not necessarily have to be human.

CONFLICT:Man v/s man

The main character has problem deciding what to do or what to thinkCONFLICT:Man v/s Self

The main character has a problem with the beliefs, laws, or ways of a group

CONFLICT:Man v/s SocietyThe main character has a problem with a force of natureExamples:a blizzarda tornadoon a small boat in rough waterslost in a desertCONFLICT:Man v/s Nature

The main character has a problem over which he or she doesnt seem to have any controlExamples:A serious injuryAn illnessA mental or physical handicap CONFLICT:Man v/s Fate

WHERE and WHEN a story takes placeHas to do with locations, time periods, seasons of the year, etc.Setting

An object or event in a story that stands for some idea or emotion.

Symbol

The particular way that an author writes or expresses thoughts.Shakespeare: very formal, use of olde EnglishDr. Suess: simple words, rhyming, certain colors for illustrations

Some style questions:

Does the piece sound conversational?Or is it more businesslike and formal?Is the language difficult or easy? Does the writer use slang?Are the chapters long or short?In what genre does this author usually write?Does the way in which this writer puts words and details together to make a story appeal to you?

Style

18Dialogue and DialectDialogue: What the characters say.When the characters speak, the words they say will be found inside quotation marks.Stop it! Terry threw up his hands in a show of anger. I have had enough of you.Dialect: How the characters sound when they speak.Southern drawlNorthern soundNew York accentUse of slangUse of certain terms

What up? Wazzup? Good ay. Top o the mornin to ya! Hey, yall!How ya doin? How are you doing?

-the feelings or emotions in the reader caused by the story.

Moodalso referred to as tone

Usually details in the setting will help establish the mood of a story.the underlying message that the author wants the reader to understandIt is what that the writer wants the reader to understand most about the story.Possible themes for The Three Little Pigs Whatever you do, do it wellAlways be preparedPoints to remember about theme:It will not be directly stated in the story.You usually wont know the theme until After Reading, when youre in the Pause and Reflect stage of the Reading Process.Theme