The Elements of Fiction

The Elements of Fiction

Setting

Where and when does the story take place? Why is this particular setting important? How is it related to the story’s theme?

Plot

What is the conflict of the story? X vs Y. What characters are in conflict and what IDEAS are in conflict?

Characters

How is character revealed? Words, Actions, Thoughts, Physical Traits, Reactions

Point of View

1^st Person: The character is INSIDE the story. We can read his or her thoughts. There is NO narrator

3^rd Person Limited Omniscient: There is a Narrator who lets us into the thoughts of ONLY ONE of the characters

3^rd Person Full Omniscient: There is a Narrator who lets us into the thoughts of MORE than one character.

3^rd Person Dramatic: There is a Narrator, but we cannot read Anyone’s thoughts. There is only dialogue and actions.

Language Use

These are the words of the entire work. Consider things such as symbol, irony, and imagery.

Theme

To find the theme or themes of the work, first consider what the TOPIC of the work is. In other words, what is it mainly ABOUT.  Is it poverty, war, traditions, education, racism, etc etc. Then, the theme is what you believe is BEING SAID about that Topic. For example, that we shouldn’t follow traditions blindly, or that racism can have a powerful effect on a person’s life, or that war destroys families, etc.