Elements of Fiction
Character - a being who takes part in the action of a story.
Protagonist - the main or leading character in a story or literary work.
Motivation - What makes a character behave in certain ways, make decisions, etc.
Conflict - a struggle between opposing forces. A conflict may be internal (inside oneself) or external (outside oneself).
Characterization - the way a writer makes a character seem real.
Character Traits - the qualities that make a character an individual.
Plot- the sequence of events in a story. The action centers around a conflict faced by the main character or characters.
Exposition - sets the stage for the story. Characters are introduced, the setting is described, and the conflict begins to unfold.
Complications - things the character must deal with as she or he tries to solve the conflict. They add suspense, excitement and energy to a story.
Climax - the highest point of interest or suspense in a story. It is the turning point in a story when the action reaches a peak and the outcome of the conflict is decided. Usually this occurs when the main character faces and makes a huge decision.
Resolution - this is the conclusion where loose ends are tied up and the story ends.
Setting - the time, place, and atmosphere in which a story takes place.
Location - the “where” of a setting. The location may change several times during a story.
Time Period - the “when” of a setting. The action may take place in the past, present, or future. This may be a general or specific time period.
Atmosphere - the general feeling or mood in a story.
Theme - the central idea or message about life that the writer communicates. Most themes are implied (not directly stated). The reader looks carefully at what the story reveals about people or life to determine the theme.
Point of View - the vantage point from which the story is told.
First-person - the person telling the story is a character in the story.
Third-person - the person telling the story is not a character. The story is told as if someone outside is telling about the action, etc.