Elements of Fiction Notes

1. Elements of Fiction Notes theme point-of-view conflict

2. 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. • Themes are almost always one short sentence. A theme is NOT a summary of the story!

3. 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.)

4. 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.

5. Types of Conflict

6. External Conflict • There are three types of external conflict:character vs. character; character vs. society; andcharacter vs. nature.

7. Character vs. Character • The protagonist in the story experiences conflict with others, especially the antagonist.

8. Character vs. Society • The protagonist in the story experiences conflict with society as a whole.

9. Character vs. Nature • The protagonist in the story experiences conflict with the elements of nature.

10. Internal Conflict • The character in the story experiences conflict with her or his conscience.