powerpoint presentation in elements of fiction
- 2. Fiction • Literature with imaginary people, events, or places. It can be inspired by fact and can include some real events or people, but also includes at least one made-up element. • Types of Fiction – classified according to length • Novels – long works of fiction (main plot with conflict, plus sub-plots with conflicts) • Short stories – brief, focus is upon one single conflict. • Novellas – shorter than novels but longer than short stories. • Example: Narnia stories (Prince Caspian)
- 3. Plot Strikes Again • Remember from your drama notes • Plot • Exposition • Rising Action • Climax • Falling Action • Dénouement
- 4. Setting-Part of the Exposition • Keep in mind these things are not always DIRECTLY stated • When the story takes place • Time period • Time of day • Where the story took place • Location (specific or general) • Weather • Context / historical background / social conditions in which the story is set provides us with additional plot information. • Socio-economic characteristics of a location, etc.
- 5. Setting in relationship to the characters or conflict *The setting is part of the conflict when a character becomes shipwrecked on a desert island. *The setting affects characters when a historic event such as a war changes their lives. *The setting also influences the characters when they travel to a place that is foreign to them and must learn new customs.
- 6. Setting in relationship to the atmosphere or theme of a work. It Was a Dark and Stormy Night… Snoopy *Stories about loss or death often take place in winter. *Suspenseful or scary stories often take place in dark, secluded places. *Futuristic stories often take place in outer space or on another planet.
- 7. The Theme of a piece of fiction is its central idea. It usually contains some insight into the human condition. • A general statement of the central, underlying, and controlling idea or insight of a work of literature. • The idea the writer wishes to convey about the subject— the writer’s view of the world or a revelation about human nature. • Can be expressed in a single sentence. • Theme is NOT- • expressed in a single word • the purpose of a work • the moral • the conflict
- 8. Some common themes in literature • Man is man's worst enemy. • Good is stronger than evil. • A person grows by facing obstacles. • Enjoy life now because we don't know what the future holds. • Love conquers all. • Treat others the way you want to be treated. Notice that the themes aren't describing particular events or characters. They are broad ideas that can apply to all people.
- 9. How do I identify the theme? • Look closely at the title. Sometimes you will find a clue about the theme. • Look for ideas that are repeated more than once. • Look for lessons that the character learns. • Think about what happens in the story and how it can apply to life. • For example, if the main character must survive an approaching rainstorm, the theme may be, "Nature is at war with mankind."
- 10. Symbolism A symbol represents an idea, quality, or concept larger than itself. A journey can symbolize life. Black can represent evil or death. Water may represent a new beginning. A lion could be a symbol of courage.
- 11. Other Fiction Elements • Allusion: a reference to a person, place or literary, historical, artistic, mythological source or event. • Allegory: a form of extended metaphor in which all of the elements of the story have meanings that lie outside the narrative itself (ie: the story is symbolic of another story) • Underlying meaning has moral, social, religious, or political significance, and characters are often personifications of abstract ideas as charity, greed, or envy. • Atmosphere: the prevailing emotional and mental climate of a piece of fiction.
- 12. • Dialect: the language of a particular region or group of people. • Includes the sound, spelling, and diction used by that group • Dialogue: the reproduction of a conversation between two of the characters. • Flashback: interrupts the plot of a story and goes back to a past event
- 13. • Foreshadowing: early clues about what will happen later in a piece of fiction. • Irony: a difference between what is expected and reality • Style: a writer’s individual and distinct way of writing. The total of the qualities that distinguish one author’s writing from another’s.
- 14. Structure • The way time moves through a novel. • Chronological: starts at the beginning and moves through time. • Flashback: starts in the present and then goes back to the past. • Circular or Anticipatory: starts in the present, flashes back to the past, and returns to the present at the conclusion. • Panel: same story told from different viewpoints.
- 15. Characters •Protagonist •The main character in a literary work. •NOT always the “good” guy! •Antagonist •The character who opposes the protagonist. •NOT always the “bad” guy!
- 16. Characterization • The process by which the author reveals the personality of the characters. • Different types of characters • Different ways of getting their personalities across
- 17. Types of Characters • Dynamic: Develops and grows throughout the course of the work. • Round: A character who is complex and has many sides or traits with unpredictable behavior and a fully developed personality. Has faults as well as virtues. • Static: Does not develop or grow throughout the work • Flat: A character who has one or two sides, representing one or two traits—often a stereotype.
- 18. Ways to find out about the characters Direct Characterization • Direct characterization is when the author TELLS the audience what the personality of the character is. • Example: “The patient boy and quiet girl were both at the game.” • The author is telling us that the boy is patient and the girl is quiet. Indirect Characterization • Indirect characterization is when the author SHOWS things that reveal the personality of the character. • There are FIVE different methods of indirect characterization: speech, thoughts, effect on other characters, actions, and looks. (STEAL)
- 19. Indirect Characterization • S: Speech • What does the character say? How does the character speak? • “Hey, we can have lots of fun at camp this summer! I love being outside!” • This shows us the character is upbeat and happy. • T: Thoughts • What is revealed through the character’s thoughts and feelings? • I wish it would stop raining. I am tired of sitting inside! • This shows us the character is not happy about the situation.
- 20. • E: Effect on Others • What is revealed through the character’s effect on other people? How do other characters feel or behave in reaction to the character? • The boy glared at his sister as she ate his dessert. • This shows us that the character is upset about his sister’s behavior and inability to think of others. • A: Actions • What does the character do? How does the character behave? • The girl rode the lawn mower through the house and into the garage. • This shows us the girl is not concerned with rules or safety. • L: Looks • What does the character look like? How does the character dress? • The little girl left the game with slumped shoulders and a frown on her face. • This shows us the little girl is not enjoying herself and is upset.
- 21. Character Analysis • In order to analyze characters think about the following: • Traits • A special quality or something special about someone’s personality • Motivation • What causes someone to act in a certain way • Conflict • When characters have different interests or goals • Point of View • The side from which a story it told • Relationships • The connection of people in friendship, family, work, school, etc.
- 22. Point of View • Refers to the way the story is told • The perspective (position) from which the events are narrated
- 23. Different View Points • First Person Point of View • Uses word “I” or “we” • Often used when someone is stating an opinion or sharing a feeling • Naïve first person narrator – Understands LESS about events in the story than the readers do • Ie: If the narrator is a five year old; the reader may have a clearer understanding of the events in the story than the child who is describing them • Second Person • Uses the word “you” • Used when giving directions or speaking directly to someone • Almost NEVER used to tell a story
- 24. • Third Person • Uses words “he”, “she”, “they” and sometimes “it” •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.) •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.)
- 25. Conflict • The problems encountered by the characters in the story. • Two types • Internal • External
- 26. Internal Conflict • Character Vs. Self •The protagonist in the story experiences conflict with her or his conscience.
- 27. External Conflict • Main character fights against something or struggles to overcome something outside of himself. • Character versus Nature • Character versus Character • Character versus Society • Character versus Technology • Character versus the Supernatural • Character versus Fate
- 28. Character vs. Nature • The protagonist in the story experiences conflict with the elements of nature.
- 29. Character Vs. Character • The protagonist in the story experiences conflict with others, especially the antagonist.
- 30. Character vs. Society • The protagonist in the story experiences conflict with society as a whole.
- 31. Character Vs. Technology • The protagonist in the story experiences conflict with technology.
- 32. Character Vs. Supernatural • The protagonist in the story experiences conflict with unnatural elements.
- 33. Character Vs. Fate • When the protagonist tries to break free of a predetermined path chosen before him prior to his knowledge. It can also be referred to as an issue between destiny and freewill.