ELEMENTS of FICTION

PLOT: there are different parts to the plot; the plot is

the sequence of events in the story; it brings life to the
characters. It is the storyline.
We use a diagram to plot the story:

1. Exposition: The beginning of a story. The

author
establishes the setting, introduces
the characters, and gives important background
information.
(usually the first chapter in chapter book and the
first couple of paragraphs in a short story)
2. Conflict: A conflict is a struggle between
forces.

opposing

There are two main kinds of conflict in stories: internal

and external.
Internal : A struggle that takes place in a character's mind is
called internal conflict. For example, a character may have to
decide between right and wrong or between two solutions to a

problem. Sometimes, a character must deal with his or her own

mixed feelings or emotions.
External: A struggle between a character and an outside force is
an external conflict. Characters may face several types of outside
forces. The outside force may be another character. It may be the
community. The outside force may also be forces of nature. For
example, a story might be the main character struggling against
the arctic cold.

There are 5 different types of conflict:

Person vs. Person: a problem between 2
people.
Person vs. Nature: problem with the
environment
Person vs. Society: a problem with the beliefs
or laws of a group of people. (RULES)
Person vs. Fate: a problem that the main
character has no control over
Person vs. Self: a problem deciding what to
do or think (within the character)
2. Complications: events or problems that make
the conflict worse.
3. Rising Action: events that lead toward the
wow moment or the climax, the drama is
increasing

4. Climax: the turning point of the story, the

WOW moment, the most exciting part of the
story
5. Epiphany: Moment of ah ha for the main
character, when the main character realizes a life
lesson
6. Falling Action: the events that come after the
climax, the story is slowing down and the drama
is stopping
7. Resolution: how the character deals with the
information learned, when the conflict or problem
is solved
POINT of VIEW: The view from which the story is
told.
1.
First Person: the main character is telling the
story,
Uses words like: me, I, us, we
2.
Second Person: directions (uses the word
YOU)
3.
Third Person: the story is told by an author,
uses
words like: he, she, they, them

 Third Person Limited: a narrator is not in the story,

only knows the thoughts and feelings of 1 character
(uses words-he, she, they, them)
Third Person Omniscient: a narrator not telling the
story and knows every characters thoughts and
feelings- knows all (uses words he, she, they them)

THEME: The statement about life that the author is

trying to teach the reader. The theme is never stated
directly. The reader has to figure out the life lesson or
the story behind the story.

Some common themes are: The importance of family,

Setting:

Characters:
Static (flat):

Dynamic (round):