The Elements of Fiction

Question 1

The Seven (7) Elements of Fiction include…

Answer 1

• Characters
• Setting
• Narrative Point of View (POV)
• Plot
• Conflict
• Theme
• Tone

Question 2

Types of Characters in Fiction includes…

Answer 2

• Major / Central
• Minor
• Dynamic
• Static
• Round
• Flat
• Stock
• Protagonist
• Antagonist
• Anti-hero
• Foil
• Symbolic
• Direct Presentation / Characterization
• Indirect Presentation / Characterization

Question 3

Characters that are vital to the development and resolution of the conflict.

Answer 3

Major / Central

Question 4

The plot and resolution of conflict revolves around these characters.

Answer 4

Major / Central

Question 5

Serve to complement the major characters and help move the plot events forward.

Answer 5

Minor

Question 6

A character who changes over time, usually as a result of resolving a central conflict or facing a major crisis.

Answer 6

Dynamic

Question 7

Most ________ characters tend to be central rather than peripheral characters.

Answer 7

Dynamic

Question 8

Someone who does not change over time; his or her personality does not transform or evolve.

Answer 8

Static

Question 9

Anyone who has a complex personality; he or she is often portrayed as a conflicted and contradictory person.

Answer 9

Round

Question 10

The opposite of a round character. This literary personality is notable for one kind of personality trait or characteristic.

Answer 10

Flat

Question 11

Types of characters who have become conventional or stereotypical through repeated use in particular types of stories.

Answer 11

Stock

Question 12

Instantly recognizable to readers or audience members (e.g. the femme fatale, the cynical but moral private eye, the mad scientist, the geeky boy with glasses, and the faithful sidekick).

Answer 12

Stock

Question 13

Normally one-dimensional flat characters, but sometimes are deeply conflicted, rounded characters (e.g. the “Hamlet” type).

Answer 13

Stock

Question 14

The central person in a story, and is often referred to as the story’s main character.

Answer 14

Protagonist

Question 15

The character(s) (or situation) that represents the opposition against which the protagonist must contend.

Answer 15

Antagonist

Question 16

Is an obstacle that the protagonist must overcome.

Answer 16

Antagonist

Question 17

A major character, usually the protagonist, who lacks conventional nobility of mind, and who struggles for values not deemed universally admirable.

Answer 17

Anti-hero

Question 18

Any character (usually the antagonist or an important supporting character) whose personal qualities contrast with another character (usually the protagonist).

Answer 18

Foil

Question 19

Any major or minor character whose very existence represents some major idea or aspect of society.

Answer 19

Symbolic

Question 20

This refers to what the speaker or narrator directly says or thinks about a character.

Question 21

The reader is told what the character is like.

Question 22

This refers to what the character says or does. The reader then infers what the character is all about.

Answer 22

Direct Presentation / Characterization

Question 23

It’s the reader who is obliged to figure out what the character is like.

Answer 23

Indirect Presentation / Characterization

Question 24

Ten (Direct or Indirect) Ways in which a Character Can Be Revealed

Answer 24

a. By psychological description.
b. By physical description.
c. By probing what s/he thinks.
d. By what s/he says.
e. By how s/he says it.
f. By what s/he does.
g. By what others say about him or her.
h. By his or her environment.
i. By her reaction to others.
j. By his reaction to himself.