Elements of FictionShort Stories

5 Basic Elements

•Characters•Setting•Plot•Point of View•Theme

CHARACTERS•Actors in the story’s plot

•May be human, animal, object, etc.

▫Protagonist – main character▫Antagonist – person in conflict with the

main character

*Not all stories have an antagonist.

Characterization•Characterization - the creation and convincing representation of fictitious characters▫Physical appearance▫Thoughts, feelings, and dreams▫Actions▫How others view them

Character Types•Individual - round, hae many sides and

complex personalities•Developing - dynamic, many-sided

personalities that change, for better or worse, by the end of the story

•Static - stereotype, have one or two characteristics that never change

SETTING - Time and location where the story take place•Place - geographical location•Time - historical period, time of day, year,

etc.•Weather conditions•Social conditions - customs, status•Mood or atmosphere - the feeling created

in the reader

Stages of plot• Exposition – introduce characters, setting,

conflict• Rising Action – events that intensify conflict• Climax – emotional highpoint• Falling Action – subsequent events caused by

climax• Resolution (or Denouement)– ending, outcome

CONFLICT - Internal or External•Man vs. Man - External struggle between two or more individuals

•Man vs. Himself - Internal struggle concerning emotion and decision

•Man vs. Environment - External struggle between man and his surroundings (including nature)

•Man vs. Animal - External struggle between man and beast

POINT OF VIEW - Who is telling the story?•First Person – narrator is a character IN

the story (“I” is used)•Third Person - narrator is NOT a

character is the story (“he or she”)Third Person Limited – narrator reveals

thoughts of only one characterThird Person Omniscient – narrator reveals

thoughts of all characters

Theme

•Central idea or message of the story

▫Stated – directly presented in story▫Implied – theme may be inferred by the

reader based on elements of the story