Elements of Fiction

setting

• time

• place

general setting

often used to underscore the universality of the work

specific setting

used to create a definite ambiance that impacts work’s possibilities

limiting factor

when setting is manipulated to allow plot, character, theme to develop

denouement

untying: technically includes everything after the climax, but is often used synonymously with another term

exposition

background info, intro to characters, hint at conflict

initial incident

event/action that sets plot in motion through conflict

complications

events that make the conflict harder to resolve

resolution

final solution of the conflict

climax

point at which a decision is made/action is taken that leads to resolution of the conflict

conflict

problem that drives action

plot

series of eps in narrative carried out by characters

rising action

series of events that develop interest/suspense

falling action

series of events that move the story from climax → final resolution

foreshadow

hints at future events

flashforward

future event into present

flashback

past event into present

in medias res

to be in the middle; reader is placed in middle of action

discriminated occasion

slows down narrative and increases focus on scene

deus ex machina

unsolvable problem is suddenly resolved by unexpected intervention of a new event, character, ability, object

subplot

side story that explores ideas which are DIFFERENT from the main story; may connect to main story in time, place, theme

parallel plot

side story that is very SIMILAR to main plot, w/ minor diff → reinforces certain views

discriminated occasion

specific, discrete moment portrayed

• “At 4:00 in the morning”

• “The day before Maggie fell”

internal conflict

problem is a decision the character must make

external conflict

problem that drives the action is between 2+ characters

protagonist

central focus—working to solve the conflict

flat

generic, single trait/extra in movie

round

good/bad traits, feels like a real person

antagonist

opposing force

character

people/things that carry out action, plot revolves around, theme deployed

foil

provides opportunity for compare/contrast (highlight trait)

sympathetic

reader cares abt

static

remains same

major

significant role in work

dynamic

undergoes major changes

minor

used for specific purpose

stereotype

when traits are based on a particular group

archetype

when traits are based on universal elements

caricature

when traits are exaggerations of a specific elememt

POV

method the author uses to tell story

narrator

teller

1st person

narrator is a character within the action

2nd person

reader is a character within the action

3rd person

narrator is a character outside the action

objective

narrator gives facts only, no internal thoughts

limited

narrator has access to thoughts of 1 character

unlimited

narrator has access to several characters

omniscient

narrator has access to ALL characters

reliable

reader may trust narrator

unreliable

reader view account of events w/ suspicion

stream of consciousness

reader is placed in the mind of narrator no matter how random

perspective

character whom “the camera” follows; view point of narrator

persona

voice of the author

motif

a recurring image, word, phrase, action, idea, object, situation

allegory

characters/events meant to be interpreted as literal and symbolical

parable

meant to TEACH and characters/events meant to be interpreted as literal and symbolical

dramatic irony

audience knows something character doesn’t

verbal irony

contrast between statement & meaning

situational irony

everyone gets fooled, surprise ending

socratic irony

feigned ignorance

irony of fate

God, fate, destiny manipulates humans & thwarts plans for amusement

connotation

implication suggested by word or phrase

theme

main idea, moving force, what it’s all abt, major insight

denotation

literal meaning of word or phrase

symbol

person, place, thing, event that figuratively stands for something else

atmosphere

pervasive mood of a work, author’s treatment of landscape or setting and use of symbolism

mood

prevailing emotional attitude

allusion

reference to other works

ambiguity

seemingly incongruous and contradictory interpretations of meaning in work

image/imagery

sensory detail; evoke feeling/call to mind an idea

figurative lang

similies, metaphors, conceits, analogies

tone

reflection of author’s attitude toward subject, characters, readers

topic

subject story explores