Elements of Fiction

WHAT
IS
FICTION
 Fiction
 Fiction can have
 Fiction = some true facts,
events, or people
“make believe” though

or
“not true”
stories
~ Types of Fiction ~

SHORT STORIES

LONG STORIES /
NOVELS

PLAYS
 ~ Short Story ~

Fairy Tales & Fables

Fantasy
 ~ Short Story ~

Folklore Myths &

Legends
~ Long or Short Stories ~

 Historical Fiction
 Science Fiction
 Realistic Fiction
 Mystery
 Adventure
 Romance
 Humor
and others . . .
~ Elements of Fiction ~

 Setting
 Characters
 Plot
 Conflict
 Climax
 Resolution
 Setting
The
TIME
and
PLACE
of the story (The “When” & “Where” of the Story)
 Setting
Long Ago Today In the Future

 Stories don’t always directly tell us their time period

 Sometimes we must figure it out from “clues” / descriptions in
the story such as the style of clothing worn, the
activities done, or the technology used by the characters.
Setting is also the “place” of the story
Stories can have more than one
setting
 Characters
The
PEOPLE,
ANIMALS,
OR
THINGS
the story is about (The “Who” of the Story)
An author can make “make believe”
characters seem believable by . . .

1. DESCRIBING THEM WELL

2. LETTING THE READER “HEAR” THE

CHARACTERS SPEAK TO EACH OTHER WITH
DIALOGUE

3. “SHOWING” CHARACTERS’ ACTIONS IN

WAYS READERS CAN RELATE TO OR THAT
MAKE SENSE FOR THE SITUATION

4.LETTING THE READER KNOW THE

CHARACTERS’ THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS
Plot
 The storyline
or series of
events that make
up the story
The
“What Happened?”
of the Story
 Plot
 The plot of a story
is where the
reader learns what
is happening and in
what order:
 First . . .
 Then . . .
 Next . . .
 Finally . . .
 Conflict

A problem or
struggle
the character
must face in
the story
 There are 2 types of
Conflict

Internal: External:
Inside the Character Outside the Character
 Internal Conflict

Internal Conflict

Internal conflicts are thoughts or feelings the

characters struggle with like thinking they are going
to lose a game or feeling worried.
 External Conflict

Conditions or people that are causing problems for the

main character are called
external conflicts.
These problems are happening “outside” of the character.
Do you think this character is having thoughts and feelings right about now?

Conflict
Sometimes there can be
both internal and external
conflict as characters react
with thoughts and feelings
to the problems occurring
“outside” of themselves.
 Climax

The most
exciting part of
the story –
where the plot was
leading.
 Climax

Climax

Plot : Shortly
Events in the after the
story climax,
lead to the the story
CLIMAX ends

Introduction Resolution

The story leads up to the most exciting part

 Climax

The climax suggests how the conflict or

problem in the story will be resolved.
 Resolution

By the
resolution,
or ending of the
story,
we learn how the
conflict is solved
. . . one way or
another.
 Resolution

Resolution =
The end
The End
of
the story
We’re NOT done with our work though . . .
 Now,
let’s try it
together!

In the story
“Goldilocks and the Three Bears”
...
WHAT IS THE
SETTING ?

Time & Place

Long ago / A cottage in the
woods

S
E
T
T
I
N
G
WHO ARE THE
CHARACTERS ?

Main Characters
 Main Characters

Goldilocks
Papa Bear
Mama Bear
Baby Bear
 THINK BACK OVER
THE STORY:

WHAT IS THE
PLOT ?

Storyline
Plot
Plot
WHAT IS THE
CONFLICT ?

Problem to Overcome
 Conflict
* Goldilocks
is hungry and
tired
(and apparently has no manners!)

* The bears will

return.
 ARE THESE
INTERNAL OR
EXTERNAL
CONFLICTS ?

“Inside” the character or “outside”?

 Conflict
Being hungry or
tired could be
INTERNAL
conflicts while the
bears returning
home is
EXTERNAL.
WHAT IS THE
RESOLUTION ?

How does the story end?

 Resolution
Goldilocks
runs home
when the bears
return.

(But has she learned

not to go in
strangers’ houses
…?)
 THE
RESOLUTION
of our story
and of this presentation !
The End