Elements of Fiction 

The weather such as cloudy, sunny, windy, snow, or rain,

etc. The time of year, particularly the seasons: fall, winter,
What Is Fiction?  summer, spring. 
Fiction is make-believe, invented stories. They may be short The historical period such as what century or decade the story
stories, fables, vignettes, plays, novellas, or novels. Although takes place. 
writers may base a character on people they have met in real
life, the characters and the experiences that the character The geographical location including the city, state, country,
faces in the story are not real.  and possibly even the universe, if the writer is writing science
fiction.
So, how does a writer write fiction? Characters, setting, Setting can function as a main force that the characters
plot, conflict, point of view, and theme are six key elements encounter, such as a tornado or flood, or a setting can
for writing fiction.  play a minor role such as setting the mood. Often times,
Characters  the setting can reveal something about the main character
Characters are the people, animals, or aliens in the story. as he/she functions in that place and time period. 
Readers come to know the characters through what they say, Writers write about places they are familiar with. If they aren’t
what they think, and how they act.  familiar with the place, then they need to research it in order to
E. M. Forster, an English novelist, identified that characters be accurate about the place. 
are either flat or round. Flat characters do not play important Plot 
roles in the stories. They often have only one or two traits
with little description about them. A flat character may even Plot is the order of events in the story. The plot usually
be a stock character, which is a stereotypical figure that is follows a particular structure called Freytag’s Pyramid.
easily recognized by readers, for example, the mad scientist Gustav Freytag, a German playwright who lived during
or the evil stepmother.  the 1800s, identified this structure. 
On the other hand, the round characters play an important Freytag’s Pyramid has five parts: exposition, rising action,
role, often the lead roles in stories. They are complex, climax, falling action, and denouement, also known as
dimensional, and well-developed. The stories are about them; resolution. See Figure 3.1. 
therefore, pages of writing will be about them. They often Figure 3.1: Freytag’s Pyramid 
change by going through a life-changing experience as the Freytag’s Pyramid by Gustav Freytag, a German playwright 
story unfolds. 
Exposition is an introduction to the characters, time, and the
When discussing stories with other readers and writers or problem. At the point where exposition moves into rising
when writing an analysis of a story, fictional characters can action a problem, sometimes called an inciting incident,
be described as static or developing. Static means the occurs for the main character to handle or solve. This creates
character stays the same throughout the story. They do not the beginning of the story. 
change. Developing, also called dynamic, means the
character changes. The change may impact the character’s Rising action includes the events that the main character
beliefs, attitudes, or actions. The change may be small or encounters. Each event, developed in separate scenes,
large. This change occurs because the character makes the problem more complex. 
experiences an epiphany, an insight about life. 
The climax is the turning point in the story. Usually, it is a
If writers write about characters outside their own culture, single event with the greatest intensity and uncertainty.
they need to do research so as not to misrepresent a The main character must contend with the problem at this
particular culture. The same is also true of characters, point. 
who have illnesses. The writer may need to research the
illness and treatment for it in order to be accurate about Falling action includes the events that unfold after
it.  the climax. This usually creates an emotional
response from the reader. 
Setting  Denouement or resolution provides closure to the story. It ties
up loose ends in the story. 
The setting is where and when the story takes place. It Do writers plan out their stories? Some do, especially if
includes the following:  they are an extreme think-write writer. Some don’t. They
The immediate surroundings of the characters such as props have a story idea, begin it, and watch it unfold as they
in a scene: trees, furniture, food, inside of a house or car, etc.  write. 
The time of day such as morning, afternoon, or night. 
Conflict 
Conflict is the struggle between two entities. In story writing • Fantasy is a type of fiction that focuses on magical and
the main character, also known as the protagonist, supernatural elements that do not exist in the actual world.
encounters a conflict with the antagonist, which is an There can be elements of romance, action and mystery in
adversary. The conflict may be one of six kinds:  fantasy, and typically include the following characteristics:
Character vs. character  • Magical elements or characters of magic, like sorcerers,
Character vs. nature or natural forces  witches or werewolves
Character vs. society or culture  • Conflict involving good versus evil
Character vs. machine or technology  • Imaginary worlds, often similar to medieval settings
Character vs. God • Mythical characters or beings like elves, dragons or talking
Character vs himself or herself  animals
Example:
Point of View  • Fox is a lowly elf who lives in the land of Myrial. With no
Stories are generally told in one of two points of views:  powers of his own, and destined to work on the farms for the
First-person point of view  rest of his life, he has accepted his fate.
Third-person point of view  • One day as he picks oranges in the family orchard, a fairy
named Ozlo appears and tells him that he's been chosen to
First-person point of view means that one of the characters in
save the rest of his kingdom from Magda, the greatest evil
the story will narrate–give an account–of the story. The
force the kingdom has ever seen.
narrator may be the protagonist, the main character. Writing
• Although skeptical at first, Ozlo, convinces him that he alone
in first-person point of view brings the readers closer to the
can save the kingdom of Myrial from this evil.
story. They can read it as if they are the character because
personal pronouns like I, me, my, we, us, and our are used. 
2. Historical fiction
Third-person point of view means that the narrator is not in the • Historical fiction is a story that takes readers to a particular
story. The third-person narrator is not a character. Third- time and place in the past, typically at least 50 years or more in
person point of view can be done two ways:  order for it to be considered historical fiction. Although the
Third-person limited  story takes place in the past, the plot
Third-person omniscient  itself is one that didn't actually happen in history.
• Common characteristics of historical fiction include:
Third-person limited means that the narrator limits • A combination of historical and fictional experiences
him/herself by being able to be in one character’s thoughts. • A setting that exists in a historical time and place in the
Whereas, third-person omniscient means the narrator has past
unlimited ability to be in various character’s thoughts. Writing • Mostly fictionalized characters, but occasionally there is a
in third-person point of view removes readers from the story character that is based on a historical figure from that
because of the pronouns he, she, it, him, her, his, hers, they, time period.
them, and theirs.  Example: The year is 1918, and the commander has sent
Jacques to the front lines of the war in Belgium. With no
Theme  combat experience and a terror of what comes next, this is the
A theme is not the plot of the story. It is the underlying truth story of how Jacques conquers his fears and overcomes the
that is being conveyed in the story. Themes  can be universal, unthinkable in order to survive.
meaning they are understood by readers no matter what
culture or country the  readers are in. Common themes include 3. Horror
coming of age, circle of life, prejudice, greed, good vs. evil,  • The horror genre's purpose is to create feelings of terror and
beating the odds, etc. excitement in the reader. Common characteristics include:
• Explorations into the darker aspects of humanity
• Main characters who readers can identify with and who often
TYPES OF FICTION have haunted pasts and emotional traumas
• Supernatural elements such as ghosts or demonic forces
What is fiction? • A goal to provoke terror in their readers
• Fiction is a type of writing that comes from an author's own Example: Kenneth just got a job as a night nurse at Grace
imagination and tells a story. Gables Mental Hospital. Although he's looking forward to
• Authors publish fiction across a range of mediums, and fiction starting his career, he's worried his dark past will come back to
stories can be any length—like novels and novellas, or short haunt him, quite literally. When he begins to see things that no
stories. one else can see—ghosts that call to him in the night—he
• There are many types of fiction within the genre of fiction starts questioning his own sanity and begins to lose track of
itself, but all types of fiction include basic elements: what's real and what isn't.

1. Fantasy
4. Mystery minutes of talking, they realize how beneficial it would be for
• Mystery is a genre of fiction that focuses on solving crimes them to pretend to be engaged.
and mysterious events. Ordinarily, the protagonist is a • Her parents would stop bothering her about settling down,
detective, and the remaining characters are suspects until and he could attend his ex-girlfriend's wedding with a fake
proven otherwise. fiance at his side. Carol soon realizes she has feelings for Jake
Common characteristics of the mystery genre include: and has to remind herself that this plan is just an arrangement,
• A mysterious crime or death that needs to be solved but she begins to wonder if it could turn into something real.
• Suspects that have motives that the detective must evaluate
• Clues left by the author that show the reader possible 7. Science fiction
outcomes about who the murderer might be • Science fiction stories often take place in the future and
• Red herrings, or clues that lead the reader to false involve fictional aspects of science and technology.
conclusions about the murder. Characteristics of science fiction include:
Example: Detective Miranda Lane is investigating a recent • Space or time travel
case. After the police discover a woman's body behind a local • Futuristic setting or alternate history
Boston restaurant, Detective Lane finds a strange note in her • Advanced technology
jacket pocket. Even more startling is the note's contents: the • Exploration of societal issues within our
place and name of the woman Miranda was supposed to visit current societal model (Dystopian society)
the night before her murder. Soon, Detective Lane is rushing Example:
through a series of clues to find the killer before they attack • It's the year 2473, and Dell is an engineer on a spaceship
again. that's traveling to the distant planet of Moton.
• While in route to Moton, he gets word that a meteor has
5. Realistic fiction decimated 80% of the population back on Earth.
• Realistic fiction is a type of fiction in which a story is told that • It is now up to him and the rest of his crew to successfully
could easily happen in today's society. It contains believable make it to the new planet in order to create a thriving
characters and events and takes place in an actual setting, but settlement for the remaining people on Earth to live.
the storyline itself is one that has never actually happened.
Characteristics of realistic fiction include: 8. Thriller
• Conflicts that the reader could face in everyday life • The thriller genre generally has a fast-paced storyline and
• A setting that takes place in the present-day and is an tension and suspense from beginning to end. There are many
actual location or a fictional place that could be real sub-genres within the thriller genre such as the psychological,
• Characters that seem like actual people you might political and spy variety to name a few. Some characteristics of
encounter the thriller genre include:
• Conflicts that are solved realistically • Suspense incorporated throughout the novel
Example: Bethany has a perfect life. She lives off the coast of • Plot twists to keep the readers guessing as they read
Monterrey in a beautiful home with a wonderful husband and • Cliffhangers at the end of each chapter that leaves the
two small children whom she loves dearly. She has everything plotline at a climactic moment in the story
she's ever wanted until one day she wakes up and has • Ending climax to answer the questions readers build
completely forgotten who she is. With the help of a group of up throughout the story
doctors and her husband, will she be able to remember who Example: Shannon Holmes can't wait to marry the love of her
she is and everything she holds dear? life, Sheldon. They have a date, and all the preparations are in
place. Everything is perfect until Shannon finds out that
6. Romance Sheldon has been married for the past seven years and his
• The romance genre can take place during any time period wife lives in a town only an hour away. She doesn't know what
and may contain a realistic plot line or have magical elements, to think or how to feel. All she knows is that she's going to play
but the primary element of a romance novel is that there is a along in his twisted game in order to find out the truth behind
central his lies.
love story throughout the novel. Other characteristics include:
• A hero or main protagonist with whom the other main 9. Young adult
character falls in love • Writers create and market young adult fiction to readers
• Many conflicts throughout the story making it difficult for the between the ages of 12 and 18. The plotline can be realistic or
characters to be together can contain magical elements, but in most young adult fiction
• An emotionally satisfying conclusion the protagonist faces challenges and changes that are
Example: relatable to an adolescent. Common elements in the young
• Carol is in her late 20s and single. One day, she sees her old adult fiction genre include:
high school crush, Jack, walking down the street. After a few • A teenage protagonist
• A love triangle in which the protagonist must choose between
two potential love interests
• Conflicts in the story that are age-appropriate for the
audience such as trying to feel like they belong, succeeding in
a sport or having a romantic relationship.
Example: Paige is your typical 16-year-old—she just wants to
feel like she belongs and to one day fall in love with a boy.
When a new, handsome student named Owen starts school in
the middle of the year, she thinks he might be everything she's
been looking for. She gets to know him, and they become fast
friends. Paige believes they could become more, but when her
best friend Lily tells her she also has feelings for Owen, Paige
realizes she's in a difficult situation. She must choose whether
she is willing to risk her lifelong friendship for a boy she just
met.