SH1903

Filipino Fiction in the 21st Century
I. Elements of Fiction
A. Plot
According to Russell (2009), cited in Chen (n.d.), It
refers to the series of interconnected events in which
every occurrence has a specific purpose. These series of
events are used to establish connections, suggest causes,
and show relationships.
1. Parts of the plot
The action and movement in fiction begin from the
initial entanglement or conflict through rising action,
climax, falling action, and resolution or denouement.
2. Types of Plot Structure
• Progressive
This is the typical structure of the plot as it
follows a chronological pattern. It first builds the
setting, and the conflict then proceeds to the
rising action, climax, and concludes with the
denouement.
This structure also follows a chronological
structure, but the plot is divided into several
chapters. These chapters show a series of loosely
related incidents that are tied together by a
common theme and/or characters. The episodic
plot works best when the writer wishes to explore
the personalities of the characters, the nature of
their existence, and the flavor of an era (Chen,
n.d.).
Source: http://www2.nkfust.edu.tw/~emchen/CLit/episodic_plot.gif
Example:
The procedural comedy television series
Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and the sitcom television
series Superstore, Hunger Games (Book), and
Game of Thrones (TV series).

• Parallel
It contains two or more dramatic plots that are
linked by a typical character and a similar theme.
This structure uses a nonlinear plotline (a plotline
Source: http://www2.nkfust.edu.tw/~emchen/CLit/progressive_plot.gif that jumps around and skips between timelines
and protagonists) compared to a progressive and
Example: episodic plot that uses a linear plotline (Baudinet,
“Troll” (Short Story) by Nick De Guzman, and n.d.).
The Platform (Movie)

• Episodic
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Source: https://ingridsnotes.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/parallel-
structure.jpg
Example:
The Matrix (Movie), The Girl You Left Behind by
Jojo Moyes (Book), and To the Back of Beyond
by Peter Stamm (Book).
• Flashback
This structure enables the author to begin the
story during the action but later fill in the
background for a full understanding of the
present events. However, it should be noted that
flashback as a type of plot structure is different
from the flashback as a literary device as the
latter only shows a character that is thinking back
on an event.
Source: http://www2.nkfust.edu.tw/~emchen/CLit/flashback.gif
Example:
Miracle in Cell No. 7 (Movie), Forrest Gump
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SH1903
(Movie), 13 Reasons Why (TV Series).
B. Setting
This refers to the time and place in which the story takes
place. It also includes social statuses, weather, historical
period, and details about the immediate surroundings.
Setting can be real, fictional, or a combination of the two.
C. Character
Characters are interwoven with the plot, and they are the
ones that move the action of the play forward. Each
figure should have its own distinct personality, age,
appearance, beliefs, socio-economic background, and
language.
Types of Characters
 Dynamic - It is a character that changes the story due
to the conflicts and lessons he/she had on his/her
journey.
 Static - This character does not develop the inner
understanding to know how his environment is
affecting him, or he does not understand that his
actions have positive or negative impacts on others.
The personality of this character remains the same at
the end of the story as it appeared in the beginning
 Flat - This type of character does not undergo
significant growth or changes from the start of the
story up until its end. There is only limited
knowledge about these characters because the author
did not provide detailed information about them.
 Round - They have depth in feelings and passions. In
contrast with flat characters, they are more realistic
as they contain many layers of personality. It is the
character with whom the audience/readers can
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sympathize, associate with, or relate to, as he/she
seems the character they might have seen in their real
lives.
D. Conflict
Conflict refers to the struggle between opposing forces
in the story. It can be internal or external.
Types of Conflict
 Individual versus Individual
It is a situation where two (2) characters, the
protagonist and antagonist, have opposing desires or
interests.
 Individual versus Nature
In this type of conflict, the protagonist is
experiencing an external struggle against a force of
nature or an animal.
 Individual versus Society
The main character is either in conflict with the laws
of his/her society, an oppressive government, or an
unfair community mindset.
 Individual versus Technology
The antagonist in this type of conflict is human-
made. The Terminator is one of the famous examples
that shows a battle against technology.
 Individual versus Self
This is an example of internal conflict. The
protagonist’s opponent could be two competing
desires (e.g., needs vs. wants) or his/her inner being
or principle (e.g., selfishness vs. selflessness).
E. Symbolism
It refers to the use of an object, figure, event, situation,
or other ideas in a written work to represent something
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SH1903
else. According to Wiehardt (2019), “symbolism takes
something that is usually concrete and associates or
affixes it to something else to give it a new and more
significant meaning.”
Examples:
• “Light” as a symbol of knowledge or hope
• “Fire” as a symbol of desire
F. Point of View
The point of view determines the angle and perception in
which the story is narrated or depicted. The first and
third-person points of view are the most common types
that are used by writers.
Examples:
• First person
It’s midnight, and the moon shined so brightly when
I came to see my love. I was contemplating the
thought that I am so bad for killing my mother just to
give her heart to the maiden I love. I’m on my way
to my maiden, my legs were shaking, and my heart
kept on pounding. The rain fell, and I was so wet, and
I fell to the ground, crying, thinking of my mother,
who loved me so much.
• Third person (unreliable)
It’s dark, and the moon shined so brightly when the
boy came out holding a heart. He left the dead body
of a woman with a breast cut open. He was teary-
eyed, staring at the dead body but smiled when he
opened his wallet and stared at the picture of a
beautiful young lady. He glanced at the heart and
said, “this is for the beautiful maiden.” He ran out,
holding the heart when it rained, and he fell and
started to cry. He remembered the old woman he left
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at the house.
• Third person (omniscient)
It’s midnight, and the moon shined so brightly when
the boy came to see the maiden he loves. He was
contemplating the thought that he is so bad for killing
his mother just to give her heart to the maiden. On
his way, his legs were shaking, and his heart didn’t
stop pounding. The rain fell, and he was so wet when
he fell to the ground, crying, thinking of his mother
who loved him so much.
G. Theme
It refers to the central idea of the story. The theme also
contains the message that is given to the audience. It may
be clearly stated in the title, through dialogue or action.
II. Guidelines for Analyzing a Fiction
1. Select a story as soon as possible
This is the first and most vital step in short story analysis.
You may want to browse the net and look for the
synopsis of several books that caught your interest, get
recommendations from your friends, or try the newest or
most controversial book in the market.
2. Take note of the elements of the story and how did the
author use them to deliver his/her message
Extract the theme and message of the story. Ask
yourself, “What is the main point of the story?” or “What
does this story trying to argue?” Then, note how the
elements such as the characters, conflict, symbolism, and
theme were used to make the readers get the main idea
of the piece.
To make your analysis personal, identify the elements of
the story that gave you impact or ask yourself, “What
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aspects of the story do I seem to be most affected by?”
Then, check if you can relate this to the theme of the
story.
Note: Though we are allowed to include our opinion,
feelings, and observation to make our analysis personal,
we should avoid biases and logical fallacies. Stick to the
facts and use rational thinking.
3. Think of the most logical and compelling way to present
your analysis
Your analysis can be presented using the order in which
the story was told (chronological), identifying the cause
and effect of the characters’ actions (causal), or building
an argument that you have to prove through several
compelling pieces of evidence (argumentative).
References:
Analyzing novels and short stories. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://writingcenter.tamu.edu/Students/Writing-Speaking-
Guides/Alphabetical-List-of-Guides/Academic-
Writing/Analysis/Analyzing-Novels-Short-Stories.
Baudinet, B. (n.d.). Parallel plot and nonlinear narrative. Retrieved from
https://www.storyboardthat.com/articles/e/nonlinear-plots
Chen, E. (n.d.). The study of literature. In National Kaoshiung First
University of Science and Technology.edu.tw. Retrieved from
http://www2.nkfust.edu.tw/~emchen/CLit/study_elements.htm.
Dynamic character. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://literarydevices.net/dynamic-character/.
Elements of fiction. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.unm.edu/~hookster/Elements%20of%20Fiction.pdf.
Flat character. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://literarydevices.net/flat-
character/
How to write a short story analysis. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.csun.edu/~hbeng112/098/howtowriteshortstoryanalysis
.pdf.
Munteanu, N. (n.d.). Parallel plotting: mirror, mirror on the wall. Retrieved
from https://www.scribophile.com/blog/parallel-plotting-mirror-
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mirror-on-the-wall/
Reid, R. (n.d.). The 6 elements of fiction. Retrieved from
https://thewritepractice.com/elements-of-fiction/
Round character. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://literarydevices.net/round-
character/
Schmidt, V. (2005). Story structure architect. Cincinnati: Writer’s Digest
Books.
Static character. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://literarydevices.net/static-
character/.
Story analysis paper guidelines and sample. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.hawaii.edu/mauispeech/pdf/storyanalysis.pdf.
Sunberg. I. (2013, July 3). Alternative structures. Retrieved from
https://ingridsnotes.wordpress.com/tag/plot-structure/.
Wiehardt, G. (2019, June 25). Symbolism in fiction writing. Retrieved from
https://www.thebalancecareers.com/symbol-definition-fiction-writing-
1277138.

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