Elements of Fiction Practice Name: _____ _________

● Match the correct term with the definition or example in the chart below (knowledge
of form and style):

Element of Fiction Definitions or Examples

Plot The first conflict in a story - starts the rise in action.

Setting The turning point in a story

Inciting Event Depression, Anxiety or making a decision.

Rising Action The narrative point of view where an outside voice

tells the story with only the thoughts and feelings of
one character.
Climax

When and Where

Resolution
The many conflicts that increase tension in a story

Person vs Person A character has conflict with societal values

Person vs Self When the story is told from the perspective of a main
character involved in the action using “I” and “me”
pronouns.
Person vs Nature

The storyline
Person vs Society

When two characters fight against each other

First Person Point of View
The turning point in a story

Third Person Limited Point of View The God-like perspective where an outside voice tells
about the actions, speech, thoughts and feelings of
ALL characters
Third Person Omniscient Point of View
Elements of Fiction Practice Name: _____ _________

Read the story provided independently and complete the following activities (application of form and style):

1. The most important things revealed in the introduction of this story are:

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

2. The inciting event is

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

3. One example of rising action after the inciting event is

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

4. The climax is

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
Elements of Fiction Practice Name: _____ _________

5. One example of falling action is

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

6. The resolution of the story is

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

7. An example of literary conflict from this story is (make sure to tell the example and the type of conflict)

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

8. The setting of this story is (remember to include both time AND place along with proof and your rationale)

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________
Elements of Fiction Practice Name: _____ _________

9. Defend the narrative point of view using a RACE paragraph:

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

​ ​GRAMMAR (knowledge of conventions):

Underline the subject once and the verb twice in the sentences below:

1. The girl was pushed rudely by the silly boy.

2. The cats’ playful game destroyed the furniture.

3. The ball bounced.

4. Go to your room.

5. I am going to pass this test.

Elements of Fiction Practice Name: _____ _________

“Popular Mechanics” by Raymond Carver (short story)

Early that day the weather turned and the snow was melting into dirty water. Streaks of it ran down from the little

shoulder-high window that faced the backyard. Cars slushed by on the street outside, where it was getting dark. But

it was getting dark on the inside too.

He was in the bedroom pushing clothes into a suitcase when she came to the door.

I’m glad you’re leaving! I’m glad you’re leaving! she said. Do you hear?

He kept on putting his things into the suitcase.

Son of a bitch! I’m so glad you’re leaving! She began to cry. You can’t even look me in the face, can you?

Then she noticed the baby’s picture on the bed and picked it up.

He looked at her and she wiped her eyes and stared at him before turning and going back to the living room.

Bring that back, he said.

Just get your things and get out, she said.

He did not answer. He fastened the suitcase, put on his coat, looked around the bedroom before turning off the

light. Then he went out to the living room.

She stood in the doorway of the little kitchen, holding the baby.

I want the baby, he said.

Elements of Fiction Practice Name: _____ _________

Are you crazy?

No, but I want the baby. I’ll get someone to come for his things.

You’re not touching this baby, she said. The baby had begun to cry and she uncovered the blanket from around his

head.

Oh, oh, she said, looking at the baby.

He moved toward her.

For God’s sake! she said. She took a step back into the kitchen.

I want the baby.

Get out of here!

She turned and tried to hold the baby over in a corner behind the stove.

But he came up. He reached across the stove and tightened his hands on the baby.

Let go of him, he said.

Get away, get away! she cried.

The baby was red-faced and screaming. In the scuffle they knocked down a flowerpot that hung behind the stove.

He crowded her into the wall then, trying to break her grip. He held onto the baby and pushed with all his weight.

Let go of him, he said.

Elements of Fiction Practice Name: _____ _________

Don’t, she said. You’re hurting the baby, she said.

I’m not hurting the baby, he said.

The kitchen window gave no light. In the near dark he worked on her fisted fingers with one hand and with the

other hand he gripped the screaming baby up under an arm near the shoulder.

She felt her fingers being forced open. She felt the baby going from her.

No! she screamed just as her hands came loose.

She would have it, this baby. She grabbed for the baby’s other arm. She caught the baby around the wrist and

leaned back.

But he would not let go. He felt the baby slipping out of his hands and he pulled back very hard.

In this manner, the issue was decided.

Elements of Fiction Practice Name: _____ _________

Marking Criteria:

LEVEL 1 LEVEL 2 LEVEL 3 LEVEL 4

Knowledge of form Limited Some Considerable Thorough

and style understanding: 6-7 understanding: 8-9 understanding understanding
correct correct (10-11 correct) (12-13 correct)

Application of form There was some There is a There is a The student shows
and style accuracy showing a developing considerable an insightful
limited ability to understanding of the understanding of understanding
identify and defend elements of fiction. elements of fiction through a thorough
the elements of The student is able as they are applied application of
fiction in a new to apply many of the accurately most of elements of fiction
story. elements of fiction the time with to a new story. Very
to a new story but specificity. Few few to no mistakes
lacks support or errors. in well developed
support is vague. answers with
The evaluator must specific support.
infer accuracy at
times.

Developing and Sentence fragments Full sentence Good organization Well developed
Organizing Ideas may be used in structure used with of ideas into full organization of
identification some errors that sentences and ideas with excellent
answers and limited start to distract from paragraphs. Few use of structure,
paragraph structure the message, but do errors - no specific supports,
in RACE, but the not interfere with distraction. and transitions.
meaning is still communication.
communicated.

Language Limited Some understanding Considerable Excellent

Conventions understanding and and some understanding and understanding and
limited application. application. Errors good application. flawless application.
Errors in writing in writing start to Few errors in Very few to no
distract. distract. grammar - no errors.
distraction.