Elements of Fiction: An Introduction

Fiction:
A story that is made up by the author or not
true

Draw

Challenge yourself to tell a story using only pictures or sounds instead of words.

Multiple Choice

Why are the elements of fiction so important?

• They assist the reader in understanding the author's meaning behind a text.

• They help connect critical pieces of the story so the reader understands the message the author intends.

• They help a reader better connect to the story.

• All answers are correct.

CHARACTER

 The people or animals

that take part in the
story.

 MAIN CHARACTER:

who the story is mainly
about

 MINOR CHARACTER:

the less important
characters in the story

Selection of Characters from Percy Jackson and the Olympians

PROTAGONIST

 The HERO of the story

who is faced with a
conflict (usually the
main character).

Harry Potter

Open Ended

Type as many protagonists as you can in 1.5 minutes.

ANTAGONIST

 Usually the villain in the

story (the
person, animal, or
creature who creates
conflict for the main
character).

Voldemort

Open Ended

List as many antagonists as you can in 1.5 minutes.

SETTING

 When and Where the action in the story takes place.

Map of Narnia

Multiple Choice

This setting is

• Historical

• Fantasy

• Dystopian

• Sci-Fi

PLOT

 The plot is the outline of events that takes place in a

story.

Multiple Choice

What are the building blocks of a story?

• Themes

• Characters

• Plot elements

• Settings

Multiple Choice

We use plot to make...

• Money

• An issue

• History

• Sense

CONFLICT

A fight or difference in

opinion.

1. INTERNAL CONFLICT

 Takes place within a

character’s mind.

2. EXTERNAL CONFLICT

 The character struggles

with an outside force.

The Brother’s Grimm: Sleeping Beauty

Multiple Choice

A struggle that takes place inside a character's mind or body is

• External Conflict

• Internal Conflict

Multiple Choice

What is conflict?

• Two characters getting along.
• A struggle between two opposing forces.
• The climax in a story.
• Part of the resolution.

Multiple Choice

What is the definition of an "internal" conflict?

• A hero in a story that saves many lives.
• A problem that a character has with other characters.
• A struggle between a character and a family member.
• A struggle that a character faces within him/her self.

Multiple Choice

Jason knows he has the skills to drive a car, and he thinks he’d be a better driver than most adults. However, the law says a person has to be 16 to get a license.

• Internal
• External

WHAT IS THEME?????

 The THEME is the idea

about life that is
revealed in the story.

Multiple Choice

The theme of a story is the...

• main character.

• message about life that the author expresses.

• sequence of events.

• short summary of what the story is about.

Tone

 Shows the writer’s attitude toward his or her subject

(humorous, serious, impatient, sad, etc.)

Multiple Choice

The author's attitude towards the subject or character is called

• mood

• imagery

• tone

• plot

Multiple Choice

What is the tone?

We received your email about a refund for the item that was not what you wanted. We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused and we were wondering if we could replace your item with a different one of your choice?

• angry

• apologetic

• disgusted

• impersonal

POINT OF VIEW

The vantage point from which a story is told.

1stperson

 the writer uses first-person pronouns (I or me) to tell

the story.

3rdperson

 narrator describes the events, but does not take part in

them.

3rdperson omniscient

 the narrator knows everything; encompassing.

Multiple Choice

Point of view is defined as the perspective or vantage point in which a story is being told.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

The author can use the words and actions of the narrator to develop the narrator's point of view

• true
• false

REALISTIC FICTION

 A story that tells about

characters and events
that are similar to people
and animals in real life.