Elements of Fiction

Short Stories

5 Basic Elements

CharactersSettingPlotPoint of ViewTheme

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, have 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 placePlace - geographical locationTime - historical period, time of day,

year, etc.Weather conditionsSocial conditions - customs, statusMood or atmosphere - the feeling

created in the reader

Stages of plot

Exposition – introduce characters, setting, conflict

Rising Action – events that intensify conflict

Climax – emotional highpointFalling Action – subsequent events caused

by climaxResolution (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