Elements of Fiction
People or animals who take part in the action
Characters
The reason for writing the fictional work
Author's purpose
complex, showing many different qualities
Round character
introduces the characters, setting and basic situation
Exposition
the use of words to mean something different from what a person actually says.
Ex: “Thanks for the ticket officer you just made my day!”
“I can’t wait to read the seven hundred page report.”
verbal irony
The sequence of events
Plot
An author presents material that occurred earlier than the present time (may be dreams, memories, or actual accounts of past events)
Flashback
One-dimensional, showing a single trait
Flat character
the high point of interest or suspense
Climax
A struggle within the mind of a character
Internal Irony
The struggle of the character(s)
Conflict
The use of clues in a literary work to suggest events that have yet to occur, creates suspense and keep the reader engaged.
Foreshadowing
develops, changes,and learns something
Dynamic character
events leading up to the climax
rising action
Struggle between two character and nature (man vs nature) and a group (man vs society); or between a character and nature (man vs nature)
External conflict
The time and place of the action
Setting
A person, place or object in a literary work that has a literal meaning and also stands for something else (like an idea or emotion)
Symbol
Remains the same throughout the story
Static character
An insight or change is conveyed
Resolution or denouement
It occurs when the audience is aware of something that the characters in the story are not aware of.
Ex: In Romeo and Juliet the audience knows she is in a deep sleep but the characters believe she is dead.
dramatic irony
The central message or insight into life that is revealed
Theme
a logical assumption (a logical guess), based on details in the story
Inference
Name the four types of characters
Round
Flat
Dynamic
Static
A sudden flash of insight that changes a character's feelings about the conflict (an a-ha moment)
Ephphany
This is unexpected because one would assume the fire chief would keep his own building safe.
Ex: A marriage counselor files for divorce. A fire station burns down.
Situational irony