What are the elements of fiction?

1. Character / Characterization (Characteristics)

2. Plot / Conflict (Problem)
3. Solution
4. Setting
5. Theme
6. Point of view (Narrator)
7. Symbol
8. Allegory
9. Irony
10. Paradox

● Character
Main Character Minor Character
They changed throughout the story They stay the same for the rest of story
They are round (Multi sided) They are flat
They are dynamic They are static

How do we know about the character in the story?

 By what they say

 By what they say about each other
 By the way they dress
 By their action / what they do
 By their names

● Conflict: is a clash between two opposite characters when they meet

Type of conflict
Internal Conflict External Conflict
Man vs. Man
Man vs. Himself Man vs. Society
Environment
Man vs. Nature
● Plot: is the sequence of interrelated events in the story

● Solution:

1. Submit: accept the problem – no change – no confrontation

2. Fight: confront the problem, try to change it
3. Escape: postpone confrontation (taking drugs – day dreaming – sleeping)

● Theme: is a general statement about life which also fits the story. Avoid words such as:

 should – not
 Must – not
 Have – not

● Setting: Time + Place

Without setting it’s just events. Events are to be followed but setting makes sense of it all and
involves people, creates interest. Many books use setting alone to gather interest, the event are
just detail in some stories.

● Point of view: “narrative point of view” how the story is told—more specifically, who tells it.

Types of point of view

First person point of view: If the narrator is the
Full Omniscient point of view: If the narrator
main character (I)
gives us the thoughts of characters (all
Dramatic (Objective): the writer tells what
knowing)
happens without stating more than can be
Limited Omniscient point of view: If the
inferred from the story's action and dialogue.
narrator only gives us information which could
The narrator never discloses anything about
be recorded by a camera and microphone
what the characters think or feel, remaining a
(He/She/It)
detached observer
 Figure of speech

● Irony: is when you do/say something and you mean something else, usually the opposite
is the double meaning of in action or statement
Example: I have good news, tomorrow is the exam

Type of irony:

 Verbal Irony: spoken irony – use of words to mean something different from what a
person actually says
Example: I can’t wait to read the seven hundred page report
 Dramatic Irony: when the readers know something that the actors do not know
Example: story of an hour
 Situation Irony: the discrepancy between what is expected to happen and what actually
happens. Occurs when the exact opposite of what is meant to happen, happens.
Example: the necklace

● Paradox: an apparent contradiction which is somehow true

Example: you are here but you are not here

● Oxymoron: incongruous or seemingly contradictory terms appear side by side

Example: have you seen the giant ant

● Symbol: is a sign which suggests another idea

is an object with an idea

 Mathematic symbol + - ÷ × =
 Color
 Religions 
 Logos
 Currency

● Allegory: is a moving symbol

is a narrative or description which has another hidden meaning
– another meaning under meaning
– hidden message in the story, usually a moral
Example: animal story