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.