Key Elements of Fiction

Big picture vocabulary: 

  1. Character

    1. The person(s) / entity (entities) of a work of fiction 

      1. Antagonist / protagonist

        1. Protagonist struggles with the conflict

        2. Antagonist- whoever incites the conflict

    2. The characteristics of a person 

      1. Physical appearance

      2.  what they say / think / feel / dream / believe / does / does not do

      3.  how others react to them 

    3. Characters can be 

      1. Round Characters 

        1. individual, many sided and complex

      2. Developing Characters 

        1. dynamic, many sided personalities that change (for better or worse) throughout the story 

      3. Static Characters 

        1.  stereotypes; they have one or two characteristics that never change and are often over-emphasized. 

    4. Characterization can be: 

      1. Direct characterization 

        1. Where the author literally tells us who the character is and what they look like. 

      2. Indirect characterization 

        1. This is more subtle - we are shown who the character is. Indirect characterization relies on things like dialogue and how other characters react to the character we are analyzing 

      3. Extrinsic Characterization (Direct Characterization)

        1. Physical features are described, these are observable actions 

      4. Intrinsic characterization (Indirect Characterization)

        1. The emotions, motivations, tendencies, personality traits, et cetera of the character. 

  2. Theme

    1. The moral or parable - the teaching - the view expressed on life and how people behave. 

    2. Extracted (or inferred) from the characters, action, and setting that make up the story. It is something “discovered” by the audience. 

    3. Some Ways to uncover theme: 

      1. Check the title, it can provide clues. 

      2. Notice repeating patterns and symbols. 

      3. What allusions are made within the story? What stereotypes or common knowledge is relied on to convey meaning? 

      4. What connections can you make between your life and the story? This requires abstract thinking - someone adept at this skill can make a connection to anything. 

  3. Plot 

    1. The sequence of events, the “why” for the things happening in the story. It draws the audience in and helps them understand the “why” of character decisions. 

    2. Plot Structure 

      1. The plot structure is the way the story is arranged. The structure of the story depends on what the purpose of the author is. For example, in mystery stories, we may not get the exposition until later in the story. 

    3. Narrative Tradition (Freytag’s Pyramid)

      1. calls for developing stories in particular pieces (plot elements). 

        1. Exposition 

          1. the information needed to understand the story; the introduction of the setting, the characters, and the beginnings of the conflict 

        2. Complication (Rising Action) 

          1. the catalyst that begins the major conflict 

        3. Climax 

          1. the turning point in the story that occurs when characters try to resolve the complication. 

        4. Falling Action

          1. the events that happen as a result of the climactic moment, leading towards the resolution

        5. Resolution 

          1.  the set of events that bring the story to a close 


It is not always a straight line from 1 - 4 in a story. Sometimes, there are shifts in time or space (this helps keep us interested in the story - keeps the story novel [or new]). 

  1. Point of View 

    1. Remember, someone is always between the reader and the action of the story. That someone is  telling the story from his or her own point of view. This angle of vision, the point of view from  which the people, events and details of a story are viewed, is important to consider when reading  a story.

    2. Types of Point of View: 

      1. Objective Point of View 

        1. With the objective point of view, the writer tells what happens without stating more than can be inferred from the story's action and dialogue. The narrator never discloses anything about what  the characters think or feel, remaining a detached observer. Typically 

      2. Third Person Point of View 

        1. Here the narrator does not participate in the action of the story as one of the characters, but lets  us know exactly how the characters feel. We learn about the characters through this outside voice. 

      3. First Person Point of View 

        1. In the first person point of view, the narrator does participate in the action of the story. When reading stories in the first person, we need to realize that what the narrator is recounting might  not be the objective truth. We should question the trustworthiness of the story / perspective. 

      4. [3rd Person] Omniscient and Limited Omniscient Points of View 

        1. A narrator who knows everything about all the characters is all knowing, or omniscient. 

        2. A narrator whose knowledge is limited to one character, either major or minor, has a limited  omniscient point of view. 

  2. Tropes 

    1. a recurring theme or motif, as in literature or art: the heroic trope.

    2. a convention or device that establishes a predictable or stereotypical representation of a character, setting, or scenario in a creative work: The author relies on our knowledge of the Haunted House trope to set the scene.

  3. Setting

    1. Writers describe the world they know. Sights, sounds, colors and textures are all vividly painted  in words as an artist paints images on canvas. A writer imagines a story to be happening in a  place that is rooted in his or her mind. The location of a story's actions, along with the time in  which it occurs, is the setting. 

    2. Setting is created by language. How many or how few details we learn is up to the author. Many  authors leave a lot of these details up to the reader's imagination. 

    3. Some or all of these aspects of setting should be considered when examining a story: 

      1. place 

        1.  geographical location. Where is the action of the story taking place? 

      2. time 

        1. When is the story taking place? (historical period, time of day, year, etc.) 

      3. weather conditions 

        1.  Is it rainy, sunny, stormy, etc? 

      4. social conditions 

        1.  What is the daily life of the characters like? Does the story contain local  color (writing that focuses on the speech, dress, mannerisms, customs, etc. of a particular  place)?

      5. mood or atmosphere 

        1.  What feeling is created at the beginning of the story? Is it bright and  cheerful or dark and frightening? 

  4. Motif

    1. a recurring subject, theme, idea, object (depending on significance) etc., especially in a literary, artistic, or musical work.

    2. a dominant idea or feature

  5. Conflict

    1. Conflict is the essence of fiction. It creates a plot. The conflicts we encounter can usually be  identified as one of four kinds. 

      1. Human/ Man versus Human 

        1. Conflict that pits one person against another. 

      2. Human/ Man versus Nature 

        1. This involves a run-in with the forces of nature. On the one hand, it expresses the insignificance  of a single human life in the cosmic scheme of things. On the other hand, it tests the limits of a  person’s strength and will to live. 

      3. Human/ Man versus Society 

        1. The values and customs by which everyone else lives are being challenged. The character may  come to an untimely end as a result of his or her own convictions. The character may, on the  other hand, bring others around to a sympathetic point of view, or it may be decided that society  was right after all. 

      4. Human/ Man versus Self 

        1. Internal conflict. Not all conflict involves other people. Sometimes people are their own worst  enemies. An internal conflict is a good test of a character’s values. Does he/she give in to  temptation or rise above it? Does he/she demand the most from him/herself or settle for  something less? Does he/she even bother to struggle? The internal conflicts of a character and  how they are resolved are good clues to the character’s inner strength. 

    2. Often, more than one kind of conflict is taking place at the same time. In every case, however,  the existence of conflict enhances the reader’s understanding of a character and creates the  suspense and interest that make you want to continue reading. 

  6. Tone- (language that shows how the author or speaker feels [attitude] about the subject)

    1. In literature, tone is the emotional coloring or the emotional meaning of the work and provides an extremely important contribution to the full meaning. In spoken language, it is indicated by the inflection of the speaker's voice. The emotional meaning of a statement may vary widely according  to the tone of voice with which it is uttered; the tone may be ecstatic, incredulous, despairing, resigned, etc.

    2. In poetry, we cannot really understand a poem unless we have accurately sensed whether the attitude it manifests is playful or solemn, mocking or reverent, calm or excited. In spoken  language, the speaker's voice can guide us to the tone. But, the correct determination of tone in  literature is a much more delicate matter. Elements of tone include diction, or word choice; syntax,  the grammatical arrangement of words in a text for effect; imagery, or vivid appeals to the senses;  details, facts that are included or omitted. 

  7. Mood 

    1. Mood is related to tone in that it is also the emotional resonance (feeling) in a story. But mood is the feeling of the setting OR the feeling that the reader responds with. Mood is created by the tone, diction, and sometimes by literary devices. While the tone heavily influences the mood, they may or may not be the same thing. Example: if the narrator has an enthusiastic tone, the mood might well be enthusiastic. But let’s say the tone is frustration; the corresponding mood is likely to be something like tense or anxious. 


  1. Literary Devices (little picture)

    1. Alliteration

      1. Alliteration is the repetition of the same or similar sound at the beginning of words in a series, often to create a lyrical or emotive effect. It can be used to emphasize or stress importance. 

    2. Allusion

      1. an expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference. Generally, allusions refer to religious stories or other literary texts. NOT THE SAME AS ILLUSION.

    3. Archetype

      1. An archetype (ARK-uh-type) is an idea, symbol, pattern, or character-type, in a story. It’s any story element that appears again and again in stories from cultures around the world and symbolizes something universal in the human experience.

      2. There are 12 standard archetypes. Here are 7 of them.

        1. The Lover: the romantic lead who’s guided by the heart.
          Examples: Romeo & Juliet (Romeo & Juliet), Belle (Beauty and the Beast)

        2. The Hero: The protagonist who rises to meet a challenge and saves the day.
          Examples: Luke Skywalker (Star Wars); Harry Potter (the Harry Potter series)

        3. The Outlaw: The rebel who won’t abide by society’s demands.

Examples: Han Solo (Star Wars); Batman (The Dark Knight)

  1. The Sage: A wise figure with knowledge for those who inquire. The mother figure or mentor is often based on this archetype.

Examples: The Oracle (The Matrix); Obi-Wan Kenobi (Star Wars)

  1. The Everyman: A relatable character who feels recognizable from daily life.

Examples: Bilbo Baggins (The Hobbit), Winston Smith (1984)

  1. The Jester: A funny character or trickster who provides comic relief, but may also speak important truths.
    Examples: R2D2 and C-3PO(Star Wars)

  1. Connotation

    1. an idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning.

  2. Denotation

    1. an act or process of denoting. 2. : meaning. especially : a direct specific meaning as distinct from an implied or associated idea

  3. Foreshadowing

    1. a warning or indication of (a future event).

  4. Flashback

    1. a scene in a movie, novel, etc., set in a time earlier than the main story.

  5. Hyperbole

    1. exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

  6. Imagery 

    1.  visually descriptive or figurative language, especially in a literary work. //  visual images collectively. visual symbolism.

  7. Irony

A contrast between expectation and reality. 

  1. Dramatic Irony 

    1. a literary technique, originally used in Greek tragedy, by which the full significance of a character's words or actions are clear to the audience or reader although unknown to the character.

  2. Situational Irony 

    1. Situational irony is when the opposite of what we expect to happen, happens. It can be as simple as bringing an umbrella outside only to find the sun shining. Or it can be as dramatic as revealing the killer to be the least likely suspect. It is the ultimate curveball to throw your audience — and, when done well, it can be supremely satisfying. Who doesn't love a shocking twist?

  3. Verbal Irony

    1. Verbal Irony is a form of play-on-words. It is when the words that are said mean something else

  1. Juxtaposition

    1. the act or an instance of placing two or more things side by side often to compare or contrast or to create an interesting effect (ie: an interesting juxtaposition of colors)

  2. Oxymoron

    1. a figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction (e.g. faith unfaithful kept him falsely true ).

  3. Paradox

    1. a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true.

      1. "in a paradox, he has discovered that stepping back from his job has increased the rewards he gleans from it"

  4. Parallelism

    1. In literature, parallelism is a grammatical technique that involves repeating words, phrases, or sentence structures to emphasize similar ideas or create a sense of balance and symmetry. It can be used to make writing more interesting and impactful, and to help organize and remember ideas. 

  5. Personification

    1. Personification is a literary device that gives human characteristics to non-human things, such as animals, objects, or abstract ideas. It's a type of metaphor that uses figurative language to make writing more engaging and vivid

  6. Metonymy

    1. Metonymy is a literary device that involves replacing a word with a related word to refer to an idea or object. It's a figure of speech that's used to add variety, interest, and mood to writing. (crown for king, suits for business people)

  7. Simile & Metaphor

    1. A simile compares two things using the words like or as. A metaphor says one thing is another thing. In both cases, you have two components: the vehicle and the tenor. The vehicle is the original, the thing being compared to another. The Tenor is the point of comparison. So, if I say my parents are angels, then parents is the vehicle and angels are tenors. The purpose of the comparison is generally to get the reader to take characteristics of the tenor and apply it to the vehicle. 

  8. Symbolism

    1. The literary definition of symbolism is “the use of symbols that represent other concepts or ideas in order to convey a deeper meaning.” Symbolism can use an object, person, situation, event, or action with a deeper meaning in the overall context of literary work that goes beyond surface understanding.

  9. Syntax

    1. Syntax is the way words are arranged in a sentence to convey meaning and create impact. It's a key part of grammar and is often discussed in relation to diction, which is a writer's choice of words.