the elements of fiction. elements of plot plot diagram 2 1 3 4 5
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THE ELEMENTS OF FICTION
Elements of Plot
Plot DiagramPlot Diagram
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Definition of Plot
Definition of Plot
• Plot is the action or sequence of events in a story. • In a well-written plot, one event leads to another like stairs in a staircase.
• Plot is the action or sequence of events in a story. • In a well-written plot, one event leads to another like stairs in a staircase.
Basic Parts of PlotBasic Parts of Plot
• Exposition• Conflict
• An additional element of plot!
• Rising Action• Climax
• Falling Action • Resolution
• Exposition• Conflict
• An additional element of plot!
• Rising Action• Climax
• Falling Action • Resolution
PLOT=ActionPLOT=Action
• Plot is the action of the story. • It is a series of related events that the author describes from the beginning of the story to the end of the story.
• Most plots follow chronological order. • This is TIME order; plots are described in the order in which they occur.
• Plot is the action of the story. • It is a series of related events that the author describes from the beginning of the story to the end of the story.
• Most plots follow chronological order. • This is TIME order; plots are described in the order in which they occur.
PLOT DIAGRAMPLOT DIAGRAM
• You can keep track of the plot using a tool called a plot diagram. •This is an easy way to keep track.
•However, there is no absolute formula for handling each of the parts of the story.
• You can keep track of the plot using a tool called a plot diagram. •This is an easy way to keep track.
•However, there is no absolute formula for handling each of the parts of the story.
ExpositionExposition• The exposition (or opening) is the first part of the plot.
• Here the author establishes the setting, introduces the characters, gives any background information, and introduces the problem, or conflict.
• The exposition (or opening) is the first part of the plot.
• Here the author establishes the setting, introduces the characters, gives any background information, and introduces the problem, or conflict.
Rising ActionRising Action• The rising action is a series of conflicts or struggles that build a story or play toward its climax.
• In most stories, the characters do not solve their problems on the first try. As they struggle to solve their problems, tensions rise.
• The rising action is a series of conflicts or struggles that build a story or play toward its climax.
• In most stories, the characters do not solve their problems on the first try. As they struggle to solve their problems, tensions rise.
ClimaxClimax• This is the turning point or high point of the story. • Usually the main character comes face to face with a conflict and will begin to think of a way to solve it.
• The main character will change in some way.
• This is the turning point or high point of the story. • Usually the main character comes face to face with a conflict and will begin to think of a way to solve it.
• The main character will change in some way.
Falling ActionFalling Action• All loose ends of the plot are tied up.
• The conflict(s) and climax are taken care of and the author describes how the problem was solved.
• All loose ends of the plot are tied up.
• The conflict(s) and climax are taken care of and the author describes how the problem was solved.
ResolutionResolution• The resolution comes after the falling action and brings the story to a reasonable ending.
• The resolution comes after the falling action and brings the story to a reasonable ending.
The Plot DiagramThe Plot Diagram
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Elements of Conflict
ConflictConflict
• Conflict is the struggle or problem that triggers the action/events in a story.
• Conflict occurs after the exposition and before the rising action begins
• Conflict is the struggle or problem that triggers the action/events in a story.
• Conflict occurs after the exposition and before the rising action begins
• Five types of conflict are recognized throughout literature:• Person vs. Person• Person vs. Self• Person vs. Nature• Person vs. Society• Person vs. Fate
• Five types of conflict are recognized throughout literature:• Person vs. Person• Person vs. Self• Person vs. Nature• Person vs. Society• Person vs. Fate
Person vs. PersonPerson vs. Person
A conflict between two or more people.
A conflict between two or more people.
• Example: two friends get in an argument and stop speaking to each other.
• Example: two friends get in an argument and stop speaking to each other.
PERSON VS. SOCIETYPERSON VS. SOCIETY
A conflict between a person and the laws or beliefs of a group.
A conflict between a person and the laws or beliefs of a group.
• Example: a person goes to the Capital and protests a new law.
• Example: a person goes to the Capital and protests a new law.
PERSON VS. NATUREPERSON VS. NATURE
A conflict between a person and an element of the natural world.
A conflict between a person and an element of the natural world.
• Example: a hiker gets lost in the mountains.
• Example: a hiker gets lost in the mountains.
PERSON VS. SELFPERSON VS. SELF
A conflict within a person.
A conflict within a person.
• Example: an alcoholic struggles to overcome his addiction.
• Example: an alcoholic struggles to overcome his addiction.
PERSON VS. FATEPERSON VS. FATE
A conflict between a person and something that seems out of their control.
A conflict between a person and something that seems out of their control.
• Example: an ancient Greek hero fights Poseidon, the god of the sea.
• Example: an ancient Greek hero fights Poseidon, the god of the sea.
WHAT KIND OF CONFLICT IS IT?
WHAT KIND OF CONFLICT IS IT?
•A family loses its home in a hurricane.
•A family loses its home in a hurricane.
WHAT KIND OF CONFLICT IS IT?
WHAT KIND OF CONFLICT IS IT?
•A man blames God for the death of his wife, so he stops attending church and praying.
•A man blames God for the death of his wife, so he stops attending church and praying.
WHAT KIND OF CONFLICT IS IT?
WHAT KIND OF CONFLICT IS IT?
•A recent high-school graduate is struggling to decide which college to go to.
•A recent high-school graduate is struggling to decide which college to go to.
Point of View
First Person Point of View
First Person Point of View
• In first person, the story is told by one of the characters.
• The reader only knows the thoughts and feelings of that character.
• First person pronouns are often clues…• I, me, my, we, our, etc.
• In first person, the story is told by one of the characters.
• The reader only knows the thoughts and feelings of that character.
• First person pronouns are often clues…• I, me, my, we, our, etc.
First Person Point of View
First Person Point of View
• A first person narrator is often used when the story is told from the perspective of the main character.• This allows the reader to understand the actions of the main character from his or her point of view.
• The drawbacks of the first person narrator include only have one perspective to make judgments. The narrator might be unreliable.
• A first person narrator is often used when the story is told from the perspective of the main character.• This allows the reader to understand the actions of the main character from his or her point of view.
• The drawbacks of the first person narrator include only have one perspective to make judgments. The narrator might be unreliable.
First Person Narrator: Example
First Person Narrator: Example
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First Person Narrator: Example
First Person Narrator: Example
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Third Person Point of View
Third Person Point of View
• The POV is often called limited omniscient because the story is told by a narrator who only knows the thoughts and feelings of ONE character.
• The pronouns he, she, and they are often used.
• The POV is often called limited omniscient because the story is told by a narrator who only knows the thoughts and feelings of ONE character.
• The pronouns he, she, and they are often used.
• All characters have privacy except for one.
• This POV gives the impression that we are very close to the mind of that ONE character, though viewing it from a distance.
• All characters have privacy except for one.
• This POV gives the impression that we are very close to the mind of that ONE character, though viewing it from a distance.
Third Person POV: Example
Third Person POV: Example
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Third Person Omniscient POV
Third Person Omniscient POV
• This story will be told by a narrator who is not a character in the book.
• This narrator is “God-like” because he/she knows the thoughts and feelings of all characters.
• This story will be told by a narrator who is not a character in the book.
• This narrator is “God-like” because he/she knows the thoughts and feelings of all characters.
• The omniscient narrator can enter the minds of characters and knows everything that is going on in the present, past, and future.
• The omniscient narrator can enter the minds of characters and knows everything that is going on in the present, past, and future.
Third Person Omniscient POV Example
Third Person Omniscient POV Example
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Elements of CharacterElements of Character
NarratorNarrator
• This is a person or character actually telling the story. He or she know background information and can fill in important details.
• This is a person or character actually telling the story. He or she know background information and can fill in important details.
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CharacterizationCharacterization
•Techniques an author uses to develop the personality of a character.
•Techniques an author uses to develop the personality of a character.
DialectDialect
• A form of language that is spoken in a particular place by a particular group of people.
• A form of language that is spoken in a particular place by a particular group of people.
DialogueDialogue
• Words spoken by a character
• Found in quotation marks
• Words spoken by a character
• Found in quotation marks
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Protagonist Protagonist
• This is usually the main character in a story.
• He or she is central to the action.
• This is usually the main character in a story.
• He or she is central to the action.
AntagonistAntagonist
• This is the person, thing, or force working against the protagonist.
• Another word to describe this character is foil.
• This is the person, thing, or force working against the protagonist.
• Another word to describe this character is foil.
Static CharacterStatic Character
• A character that stays the same throughout the course of the story. He or she does not change or learn a lesson.
• Also called a flat character.
• A character that stays the same throughout the course of the story. He or she does not change or learn a lesson.
• Also called a flat character.
Dynamic CharacterDynamic Character
• A character that changes throughout the course of a story. This character will learn a lesson from his/her experiences.
• Also known as a round character.
• A character that changes throughout the course of a story. This character will learn a lesson from his/her experiences.
• Also known as a round character.
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Main CharacterMain Character
• This is an important character that the story cannot go on without.
• This is an important character that the story cannot go on without.
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Minor CharacterMinor Character
• A character that is not important. The story can go on without him or her.
• A character that is not important. The story can go on without him or her.
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GenreGenre
• A category of literature characterized by similarities in subject matter.
• A category of literature characterized by similarities in subject matter.
MoodMood
• The feeling a literary work gives to readers.
• The feeling a literary work gives to readers.
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Author’s PurposeAuthor’s Purpose
• An author’s reason for creating a piece of writing.
• It may be to…• Explain• Persuade• Entertain
• An author’s reason for creating a piece of writing.
• It may be to…• Explain• Persuade• Entertain
ThemeTheme
• The statement about life the author is trying to teach the reader. Also, referred to as the moral.
• The statement about life the author is trying to teach the reader. Also, referred to as the moral.
SymbolSymbolCommon Symbols in
Literature• Dove--peace• Ice--death• Spring--youth, birth, life• Water--birth, rebirth• Winter-- death, dying, old age• Eagle--freedom, liberty, strength• Skull--death• Rose--love, beauty• Crown--wealth, royalty• Wedding ring--love, commitment• Sunrise--new start, beginning• Full moon--danger, weirdness• Autumn--middle age, maturity
Common Symbols in Literature
• Dove--peace• Ice--death• Spring--youth, birth, life• Water--birth, rebirth• Winter-- death, dying, old age• Eagle--freedom, liberty, strength• Skull--death• Rose--love, beauty• Crown--wealth, royalty• Wedding ring--love, commitment• Sunrise--new start, beginning• Full moon--danger, weirdness• Autumn--middle age, maturity
• A person, place, thing, or event used to represent something else.
• A person, place, thing, or event used to represent something else.
Author’s StyleAuthor’s Style
• The way the author uses words, phrases, and sentences to express him/herself.
• Can include word choice and sentence structure
• The way the author uses words, phrases, and sentences to express him/herself.
• Can include word choice and sentence structure
Style: Example 1Style: Example 1
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Style: Example 2Style: Example 2
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ForeshadowingForeshadowing
• When the author gives clues or hints about what will happen later in a story.
• When the author gives clues or hints about what will happen later in a story.
FlashbackFlashback
• When the author interrupts the story to give necessary background information on character, setting, or plot.
• When the author interrupts the story to give necessary background information on character, setting, or plot.
Dialect: Comma Gets a Cure
Dialect: Comma Gets a Cure
• Dialect 3• Native American
female, college student
• http://web.ku.edu/~idea/northamerica/usa/southdakota/southdakota1.mp3
• Dialect 4• White male, college student, age 22
• http://web.ku.edu/~idea/europe/ireland/ireland12.mp3
• Dialect 3• Native American
female, college student
• http://web.ku.edu/~idea/northamerica/usa/southdakota/southdakota1.mp3
• Dialect 4• White male, college student, age 22
• http://web.ku.edu/~idea/europe/ireland/ireland12.mp3
• Dialect 1• Male actor, Jewish,
born 1975, Manhattan• http://web.ku.edu/~id
ea/northamerica/usa/newyork/newyork13.mp3
• Dialect 2• Tennessee, Caucasian
female, born 1979, university student
• http://web.ku.edu/~idea/northamerica/usa/tennessee/tennessee8.mp3
• Dialect 1• Male actor, Jewish,
born 1975, Manhattan• http://web.ku.edu/~id
ea/northamerica/usa/newyork/newyork13.mp3
• Dialect 2• Tennessee, Caucasian
female, born 1979, university student
• http://web.ku.edu/~idea/northamerica/usa/tennessee/tennessee8.mp3