Elements of Fiction

Question

Answer

What are the main elements of fiction?

Setting Character Plot Conflict Theme Point of View

What is setting in fiction?

The time and place in which a story takes place.

What details does setting include?

Time period geographical location specific location weather conditions

What is mood/atmosphere in setting?

The feeling created at the beginning of the story (e.g.

Who is a protagonist?

The main character central to the story’s events.

Who is an antagonist?

A character society or force that creates conflict for the protagonist.

What are rounded characters?

Complex many-sided personalities like real people.

What are flat characters?

Simple characters presented briefly and not in depth.

What are dynamic characters?

Characters who change by the end of the story.

What are static characters?

Characters who do not change (often stereotypes).

What is characterization?

The methods an author uses to reveal a character (direct statements

What is plot?

The sequence of events in a story.

What are the 5 parts of a traditional plot?

Exposition Rising Action climax Falling Action Resolution

What happens in the exposition?

Setting and characters are introduced atmosphere is set background info is given.

What is the rising action?

Events that build tension and lead to the climax.

What is the climax?

The turning point; the moment of maximum interest and when the outcome becomes clear.

What is the falling action?

Events after the climax when conflicts begin to be resolved.

What is the resolution?

The conclusion where problems are solved (“the end”).

What is conflict?

The struggle between a character and an opposing force.

What are the two types of conflict?

Internal (Character vs. Self) and External

What are examples of external conflict?

Character vs. Character Nature Society Animal or Machine

What is the theme of a story?

The central idea or message about life or human nature.

What helps determine a story’s theme?

Title character changes lessons learned big ideas (e.g.

What is point of view in fiction?

The angle or perspective from which a story is told.

What are the main types of point of view?

First Person Third Person Omniscient Third Person Limited

What is first-person POV?

The narrator is a character in the story using “I” or “we.”

What is third-person omniscient POV?

The narrator knows everything

What is third-person limited POV?

The narrator reveals only what one (or a few) characters experience think or feel.

What is third-person objective POV?

The narrator reports only what can be seen or heard