Interpreting and Evaluating Fiction 1

Fiction

Literature in the form of prose that describes imaginary events and people.

Subjective

Based on personal feelings, interpretations, or opinions rather than on external facts.

Evocative

Something that brings strong images, memories, or feelings to mind.

Plot

The sequence of events through which an author constructs a story.

Structure

The organization or arrangement of the plot in a narrative.

Commercial Fiction

Fiction intended solely to entertain, such as legal thrillers or romance novels.

Literary Fiction

Fiction written with serious artistic intentions to broaden understanding and empathy.

Mainstream Fiction

A general term for both commercial and literary works that depict familiar daily reality.

Characters

The individuals in a story whose traits and experiences drive the narrative.

Protagonist

The central character in a conflict, who may be sympathetic or unsympathetic.

Antagonist

The opposing force against the protagonist.

Dynamic Character

A character whose attitudes and values change due to events in the story.

Static Character

A character whose personality and beliefs remain fixed regardless of the situations faced.

Flat Character

A character with a single trait or quality.

Round Character

A multifaceted character with depth and complexity.

Stock Character

A recognizable, ready-made figure such as a hard-boiled detective.

Setting

The general locale, time in history, or social milieu in which a work of literature takes place.

Mood

The prevailing emotional attitude in a literary work.

Geographical Setting

The physical location where the story takes place.

Temporal Setting

The time period in which the story occurs.

Point of View

The perspective from which a story is told.

First Person Point of View

A narrative in which one of the characters tells the story using 'I' or 'we'.

Third Person Limited Point of View

A narrative perspective focused on the viewpoint of one character.

Omniscient Point of View

A narrative perspective in which the author knows all thoughts and feelings of every character.

Internal Conflict

A struggle that takes place within a character's mind.

External Conflict

A struggle between a character and an outside force.

Tone

The author’s attitude toward the subject, characters, or readers conveyed through word choice.

Theme

The central idea or main message that a writer expresses in a work.

Realistic Fiction

Fiction that presents believable events and characters that could happen in real life.

Historical Fiction

Fiction based on historical events but featuring primarily fictional elements.

Fantasy

Fiction that involves magical elements or supernatural powers, typically set in another world.

Mysteries

Fiction based on a mysterious event or crime, where the mystery is usually resolved at the end.

Traditional Literature

Stories passed down through generations, including fairy tales and legends.

Graphic Novels

Narratives that use art and text in sequence to tell a story, often appealing to young readers.