Prof. V. Velez Gonzalez, M.Ed.

Fiction

Story from an authors imagination.

May be based on real-life events Or totally made up

Opposite of Nonfiction- true stories

 Genres:
-types Stories Novels Poetry Drama Just

of writing within fiction

to name a few

These five elements work together to tell the story: Setting Plot Character Theme Point of View

 Where

and when the story takes place Be as specific as possible! Examples:

Bloomsburg,

1975 An apartment at dinnertime.

 The

storys action What happens in the story Also includes the storys conflict (problem)

 The

position of the narrator in relation to the story The perspective from which the story is told (1st person, 3rd person)

 People,

animals or other figures in the story who perform the action

The authors main message or the overall meaning of the story.

Stories

can (and usually do!) have more than one theme. They are the Central Ideas that run throughout the story

 The

storys action What happens in the story Five parts: Exposition Rising Action Climax Falling Action Resolution
The most The beginning of the exciting point of story. conflict is the story akaThe the turning point. growing. Introduces the characters, Something changes in setting This part is full the and and of suspense story to allow the main conflict of the action and the to eventually story. conflict be plot movesresolved. forward.

 The

storys action What happens in the story Five parts: Exposition Rising Action Climax Falling Action Resolution
All loose ends are The events are tied up. winding down. The is on The conflictconflict is completely solved its way to being solved. and the story is ending.

 The

problem in the story Motivates the plot and moves the story forward.
Usually

appears in the exposition Reaches its highest boiling point at the climax Is resolved during the resolution

2 types: Internal External

 Internal:

Goes on inside a characters head Usually involves a decision Written as Man vs. Self

 External-

outside of a character

3 types: Man vs. Man- two or more characters opposed Man vs. Nature- character is against forces of nature (ex: survival stories) Man vs. Society- character is against rules of the civilization/society (ex: rags to riches story)

People or other things who perform the action of a story.

2 types: Dynamic- the character changes or grows over the course of the story Static- the character stays the same from beginning to end with little growth.

how an author informs the reader about the characters attitudes, beliefs, appearance and personalities

Methods of Characterization:

Direct 1. Direct statement- the author tells the reader through a narrator.(Dylan was always
optimistic.)

Indirect 2. Characters Words and Actions- the author gives the reader clues based on what the character says and does in the story

(Throughout the whole story Dylan always finds the positive in every situation.)

3. Other

characters words and actions- the author gives the reader clues in what other characters say and do and how they react to the character. (Nick found Dylan to be very
annoying because he always found the positive in every situation.)

 The

perspective from which the story is told

 1st

person-

Pronouns like I, me, my The narrator is involved in the story as a character

When I woke up this morning, I knew I was late. I came downstairs just in time to see the bus fly past. The only thought I had was, Oh man! Mom is going to kill me for sure! as I dialed her work number.

 3rd

person limited

Narrator not a character/involved in story Has perspective of only one character, not all

When Rachel woke up this morning, she knew immediately that she was late. She walked downstairs to see the bus speed past the house. The only thought she has as she dialed the telephone was Oh man, Mom is going to kill me for sure! Her mother answered and Rachel heard her yelling through the phone.

 3rd

person omniscient

Narrator is not a character/involved in story All knowing, thoughts and feelings of all characters

When Rachel woke up, she knew she was late. She walked downstairs just in time to see the bus fly past the house. All she could think was Mom will kill me for sure! When Mrs. Massey saw her caller ID light up at her desk, she knew her daughter had missed her bus. She answered the phone with a yell.

Jason really wanted to go to the homecoming dance with Kasey, but he was so afraid to ask. One day in Math class, Jason decided to go for it. He worked up his courage and asked Kasey if she would be his date. She smiled and replied, Sure! Jason was so surprised he almost fainted.

3rd person limited

Mr. Brady has hoped this day would never come. Today is the day his daughter gets a drivers permit. Amy still seemed like his little girl, he couldnt believe she be behind the wheel in a matter of hours. Amy suddenly came running from her bedroom, keys in hand, smiling wide. She had never been this excited about anything before.

3rd person omniscient

For months I have been envying my friends with Xbox 360s. Today I came to the local movie theater to apply for a job so I can save up for one myself. I cant believe how nervous I am about my first interview. Finally, a short gentleman with dark hair rounds the corner and shakes my hand with a big smile. He starts asking me a long list of questions, but after a few, the butterflies go away. Applying for a job isnt so bad!

1st person