Elements of Narrative FictionTHE SIX PARTS OF NARRATIVE FICTION

10/1/2014

What is Narrative Fiction?

Narrative Fiction tells a made-up, imaginary story

These can be novels, short stories,

fables, folktales, etc. Can you name any narrative fiction

that you’ve read?

1. Characters

All narrative have characters The story centers around the main character There can be two types of main characters

in a story.

1. Protagonist-the most important character

2. Antagonist- a person who struggles against

the main character

2. Point of View

First Person Point of View

Third Person Point of View

Narrator tells the story from his/her OWN point

of view.

The narrator observes the events of the story but

does not take part in the story. (Bird’s eye view)

KEY WORDS: I, we, me, us, our,

KEY WORDS: he, she, they, or the character’s name being used over

and over

3. Setting

The time and place in which the story occurs. Some stories may have more than one time and place. The setting also helps to set the tone- the attitude

that author/narrator takes toward the subject. Example: playful, serious, positive, etc.

The setting also helps to set the mood- the emotion that the story creates in the reader. Examples: Cheerful, suspenseful, scary, nervous

4. Plot

A sequence of events, including a conflict and some kind of resolution.

What happens in the story? How does the story move from event

to event?

How do the characters change

throughout the plot?

5. Conflict

Conflict can be either internal or external.

Man vs. ManMan vs. SocietyMan vs. SelfMan vs. Nature

Which conflicts are internal? External?

6. Theme

The conflict allows the characters to

learn a lesson. This lesson learned is

called the theme.

What did the character

take away from the story?