ELEMENTS OF FICTION

Fiction is a form of any narrative or informative work that deals, in part or in whole, with information or events that are not factual, but rather, imaginarythat is, invented by the author. Fiction contrasts with non-fiction, which deals exclusively with factual (or, at least, assumed factual) events, descriptions, observations, etc. Elements of fiction involve the following:
1. PLOT these are events that form a significant pattern of action with a

beginning, middle and an end. It is also refers to the rendering and ordering of the events and actions of a story. They move from one place or event to another in order to form a pattern. The plot is also called a narrative. Elements of Plot:

2. CHARACTERS- are the participants in the story, and is usually a

person, but may be any personal identity, or entity whose existence originates from a fictional work or performance. Types of Characters: a. b. c. d. Point-of-view character Protagonist Antagonist Static e. f. g. h. Dynamic Foil Supporting Character Minor Character

3. CONFLICT- it is the problem in any piece of literarature and is often

classified according to the nature of the protagonist or anatgonist. Types of Conflict: a. Man against Himself b. Man against Man c. Man against society d. Mans struggles against nature

e. Man against machine/technology 4. SETTING- is defined as the physical location and the time of a story.

Sometimes setting is referred to as milieu, to include a context (such as society) beyond the immediate surroundings of the story. In some cases, setting becomes a character itself and can set the tone of a story.
5. PLOT TECHNIQUES- these are ways of developing or presenting the

events and actions of a story. Kinds of Plot Techniques: a. Suspense b. Flashback c. Telescoping d. Foreshadowing

6. MOOD- The mood is the feeling the reader gets while reading the

story. The author helps to create the mood by using carefully chosen descriptive or evocative words. It can be compared to the use of music in films. Examples of mood are: hostile, optimistic, threatening, ominous, bitter, defiant, etc.

7. THEME- it is the unifying or central concept of a story. It also refers to

a theory of life which acts as the unifying force in a story, or the universal truth which the story illustrates.

8. SYMBOLISM- refers to the use of objects, events, or characters to

represent an abstract idea. Symbols are things which stand for something else. These are clues to what's going on in the story and often stand for key parts of the theme.

Prepared by Subject : Time : Date : Professor :

: Brilla Joy D. Cosgafa Lit1 Code # 1284 2:30 3:30 PM August 29, 2012 Ms. Maribel M. Casinto