1. Elements of Fiction

2. Author’s Purpose
- his or her reason for creating a
work. The purpose may be to
explain or inform, entertain,
persuade, or reveal an important
truth.

3. Characters
-a person, an animal, or an imaginary creature
that takes the part in the action of the
story.
Characterization - the
techniques an author uses to
develop the personality of a character in
a literary work. An author can give
information about a character by
describing several aspects of the
character:

4. Characters, continued
physical appearance and
personality
speech, behavior , and actions
thoughts and feelings
interactions with other
characters

5. Characters, continued
Character Types-
Protagonist- the main
character of the story
that is most central to
the action of the story.
Antagonist- the person
or thing working against
the protagonist, or hero,
in the story.

6. Static Characters- characters
that stay the same throughout the
story.

7. Dynamic Characters-
characters that change and
learn something during the
story.

8. Flat – very few personality
traits, do not change throughout
the story, sometimes can be
symbols or stereotypes

9. Round –convincing and true to
life, many different personality
traits, usually undergo a change
during the story.

10. Setting
-the time and place in which the action
occurs. Look for clues in the
opening paragraphs of the story or
novel.

11. Point of View
-the perspective or vantage point from which
an author presents a story.
 1st person- the story is told by one
of the characters in the story. The
character uses the pronouns I and we.
 3rd person- the story is told by the
narrator who stands outside of the
story and observes the events as they
unfold. The narrator uses the
pronouns she, he, and they.

12. Plot
-the action or sequence of events in a
story. It is based on a key conflict.
There are five basic parts of plot-

13. Plot, continued
Exposition- the first part of the
story. The author establishes the
setting, introduces characters, gives
additional background information.
Rising Action/Complications-
the series of conflicts or struggles that
build a story toward its climax.
Tension rises.

14. Climax- the high point, or turning
point, of a story. It is the most
intense point. A decision is made that
will decide the outcome of the
conflict.
Falling Action- the action that
works out the decision arrived at
during the climax. The conflict is –
or begins to be –settled.

15. Resolution- the ending. It
ties up loose ends and brings
the story to a close.

16. Theme
-the statement about life that the author
wants to share with the reader. Often
times, the reader will have to make
inferences or reasonable guesses as to
the theme of the story.
Helpful hint- Ask yourself what lesson the
main character learned in the story?

17. Symbolism
-An image/object in a story that is
used repeatedly and carries a
deeper meaning.
Universal Symbols:
water = purity
black clouds = evil approaching

18. CONFLICT
Without conflict, there is no plot!
The plot mountain is created around
the conflict…
Introduced in rising action…
Is faced head-on during climax…
Begins to work itself out during falling
action…
Is resolved during resolution.

19. EXTERNAL CONFLICT
An external conflict is between a
character and an outside force.
Man vs. Man
Man vs. Nature
Man vs. Society

20. INTERNAL CONFLICT
An internal conflict is between
a character and his/her self.
Man vs. Self

21. OTHER TYPES OF CONFLICT
Man vs. Supernatural
Gods, ghosts, monsters, spirits,
aliens, etc.
Man vs. Fate
Fight for choice; fight against destiny
Man vs. Technology
Computers, machines, etc.