Elements of Fiction

Plot

Plot is the events that tell the story. Every plot is a series of events that are related to one another.

Plot Diagram

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1. Exposition (Introduction) The beginning of a short story. The characters are introduced. The setting is described

(geography, time) Conflict is introduced.

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Point of ViewWho is telling the story?

Third Person Omniscient: The narrator tells the story from an all-knowing perspectiveUnlimited scope: reader knows everything

everyone in the story is thinking and doingLoss of intimacy: the reader isn’t

drawn into the story

Point of ViewWho is telling the story?

Third Person Limited: Third person, told from the viewpoint of one character in the story.The narrator restricts his knowledge to what

one character sees and does.The reader’s perception of other characters is

affected by the narrator’s prejudicesand personal limitations

Point of ViewWho is telling the story?

First Person: Story is told from point of view of one of the characters who uses the first person pronoun “I.”Reader feels as if he is “in” the storyA strange or fantastic story is easier to believe if

told by someone who is supposedly part of the story

The reader can see, hear, and know only what the narrator sees, hears, and knows

Characters

There are at least two main characters in a storyProtagonist – the main character in the story;

he or she may not be the good guy, but is the main character

Antagonist – the character that opposes the protagonist; he or she may not be the bad guy, but always opposes the protagonist

Characterization

Every character can be characterized as one of the following: flat - the reader doesn't know or learn much about the

character over the course of the novel round - the reader knows and learns many things

about the character over the course of the novel static – the character doesn't change over the course

of a novel dynamic – the character changes greatly over the

course of a novel

Character Motivations

The plot is developed through the internal and external responses of the characters: Intellectual motivationEmotional motivationPhysical motivationStatus seeking

Character Motivations

The plot is further developed through unique human qualitiesCourage/fearAmbition/lazinessHonesty/dishonesty

Setting The setting means where and when

a story takes place It includes the time the story takes place

present (now)past (before now) future

The setting includes important details or objects in the environmentAbandoned warehouseBeautiful mountaintop

Conflict

The problem(s) the main character has to resolve.

Types of conflict: Internal: Man vs. selfExternal:

Man vs. man Man vs. society Man vs. nature Man vs. machine

2. Initial Action

The first event that begins the story.

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3. Rising Action This part of the story begins to develop the

conflict(s). The story gets interesting.

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4. Climax The turning point of the story. The main

character’s conflict must be resolved. The main character changes in some way.

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5. Falling Action

The conflict(s) and climax are resolved (ended).

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6. Dénouement The story comes to an ending.

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Putting It All Together

1. Exposition 2. Rising Action

3. Climax

4. Falling Action5. Dénouement

Beginning of Story

Middle-to-End of Story

End of Story