Analyze the Purpose & Characteristics of ProseRL 3.1: Articulate the expressed purposes and characteristics of different forms of prose (e.g., short story, novel, novella, essay).

Analyze the Purpose and Characteristics of Prose

Prose is any writing that is not poetry. Two categories of prose are fiction and

nonfiction.

Fiction is creative writing about invented characters and events.

The purpose of fiction is usually to entertain, but it may also express thoughts and

feelings, or intend to persuade.

Historical FictionHistorical fiction combines real and

fictional people and events.

Historical fiction helps readers understand how people lived during an earlier time and helps

the reader look at historical events from a new and interesting perspective.

Historical Settings & EventsHistorical Characters

Imaginary Settings & EventsImaginary Characters

Short StoryThe elements of short stories...

1. SETTING: time and place of the story's action.

2. CHARACTERS: persons, animals, or things that take part in the story.

3. PLOT: conflict, or the problem introduced at the beginning of the story, the sequence of events set into motion by the conflict, and the resolution, or what happens when the problem is solved.

4. THEME: the message about life that the story communicates.

More Fictional ProseMYTHS typically portray gods and goddesses

and other supernatural beings interacting with humans.

LEGENDS are stories based on historical figures or events that have been handed down

from generation to generation.

FOLKTALES are traditional stories that often present colorful explanations for natural

phenomena.

More Fictional ProseTALL TALES are exaggerated folktales with

outlandish situations.

FABLES frequently teach a lesson

PLAYS are stories to be acted out, or performed, on the stage. Actors play

characters to tell the story. Some plays are tragedies or comedies.

Nonfiction ProseNonfiction prose is about real people, events,

and things. Its purpose is to inform, entertain, inspire, or express opinions.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY: the story of a person's life written by the person who lived it.

BIOGRAPHY: the life story of a person that is written by someone else.

ESSAY: examines a single subject from one point of view.

Prose Review Fiction: (not true)

Short Story, Novella, Novel Tall Tales, Fables, Plays

Nonfiction: Biography, Autobiography, Essay What is the purpose of an essay?

Humorous Short StoryYou are going to write a humorous short story

with an animal as the main character.

Some animals that might serve as inspiration for a humorous story are a pig, iguana, coyote, or spider. Can you think of others?

You will work with a partner.

Copy the STORY MAP into your notes so you make sure to include setting, characters, plot, and theme.