Elements of Fiction
Plot
Theme
Setting
Characterization
Narration
Plot
• Simply put, plot is what happens
in the story. Some call it the
storyline.
• Good Practice: describe the plot in
ten words or less without revealing
the plot’s climax or resolution.
Theme
• It’s the moral or main idea of
the story. Themes do not
provide any plot developments
and apply to many types of
stories in almost any genre.
• Begin with trying to state the
theme in one word, then one
sentence.
Characterization
• The main character in a story is called
the protagonist. She or he is always
involved in the main conflict and its
resolution. Click Here
• The person opposing the protagonist is
called the antagonist.
• Characters can be flat, round, dynamic,
Click Here
or static.
Narration
• First Person Point of View: The narrator
tells the story and is a character in the
story. (Pronouns: I, me, us, we, our, etc.)
• Third Person Omniscient: The narrator is
not a character in the story but can tell
you the thoughts and actions of all
characters at all times. (Pronouns: he,
she, him, her, they, them, etc.)
• Third Person Limited: The narrator is not
a character in the story but can tell you
the thoughts and actions of a few key
characters at all times. (Pronouns: he,
she, him, her, they, them, etc.)
Setting
• The setting provides us with the when
and where the story took place. In
addition, the context or historical
background in which the story is set
provides us with additional plot
information.
• What are the three W’s of setting When
= the timeframe, Where = place or
location, and Why = the context in which
the story is set?
Methods of Characterization
Flat Characterization
• A character who has one or two
sides, representing one or two
traits—often a stereotype.
Flat characters help move
the plot along more quickly
because the audience
immediately understands
what the character is about.
• Example: Like a geeky
science professor
Round Characterization
• A character who is complex and
has many sides or traits
with unpredictable
behavior and a fully
developed personality.
Antagonists are usually
a round characterization.
• Example: Like The
Green Goblin (Norman Osborn)
Dynamic Characterization
• A character who experiences an
essential change in personality
or attitude. Protagonists are
almost always dynamic.
• Example: Stitch,
from Lilo and
Stitch
Static Characterization
• A character who does not
change or develop beyond the
way in which she or he is first
presented.
• Example: Atticus
Finch from To
Kill a Mockingbird.
Types of Conflict
External Conflict
• There are
three types of
external
conflict:
character vs.
character;
character vs.
society; and
character vs.
nature.
Character vs. Character
• The protagonist
in the story
experiences
conflict with
others,
especially the
antagonist.
Character vs. Society
• The
protagonist
in the
story
experiences
conflict
with
society as
a whole.
Character vs. Nature
• The
protagonist in
the story
experiences
conflict with
the elements
of nature.
Internal Conflict
• The
protagonist in
the story
experiences
conflict with
her or his
conscience.