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.

Question 25

Refers to the time, the geographical locations, and the general environment and circumstances that prevail in a narrative. Helps to establish the mood of a story.

Answer 25

Setting

Question 26

Type of setting wherein the setting is fully described in both time and place,
usually found in historical fiction.

Answer 26

Integral

Question 27

Type of setting wherein the setting is vague and general, which helps to
convey a universal, timeless tale. This type of setting is often found in
folktales and simply sets the stage and the mood.

Answer 27

Backdrop

Question 28

The narrator is a character in the story, often, but not necessarily, the protagonist. This narrative point of view allows for a very personal touch in the story telling.

Answer 28

Internal Narrator

Question 29

First-person Narrator; the narrator uses “I” to refer to himself/herself

Answer 29

Internal Narrator

Question 30

The narrator is not a character in the story but knows everything about the story. Can show the thoughts and experiences of any character in the story. It permits the writer the broadest scope.

Answer 30

Omniscient Narrator

Question 31

Multiple points of view; the narrator is “all-knowing”

Answer 31

Omniscient Narrator

Question 32

The narrator is not a character in the story but looks at things only through the eyes of a single character. This type of narrative permits the narrator to quickly build a close bond between the protagonist and the reader, without being confined by the protagonist’s educational or language restrictions.

Answer 32

Limited Narrator

Question 33

External Subjective Narrator; the 3rd person point of view

Answer 33

Limited Narrator

Question 34

A series of interconnected events in which every occurrence has a specific purpose. All about establishing connections, suggesting causes, and showing relationships.

Answer 34

Plot

Question 35

This is a chronological structure which first establishes the setting and conflict, then follows the rising action through
to a climax.

Answer 35

Dramatic or Progressive Plot

Question 36

This is also a chronological structure, but it consists of a series of loosely related incidents, usually of chapter length, tied together by a common theme and/or character.

Work best when the writer wishes to explore the personalities of the characters, the nature of their existence, and the flavor of an era.

Answer 36

Episodic Plot

Question 37

The writer weaves two or more dramatic plots that are usually linked by a common character and a similar theme.

Answer 37

Parallel Plot

Question 38

This structure conveys information about events that occurred earlier. It permits authors to begin the story in the midst of the action but later fill in the background for full understanding of the
present events.

Answer 38

Flashback

Question 39

Four (4) Types of Conflicts include…

Answer 39

1. The Protagonist against Another
2. The Protagonist against Society
3. The Protagonist against Nature
4. The Protagonist against Self

Question 40

The main, underlying idea of a piece of literature. It is woven subtly into the fabric of the story rather than being
lectured or preached by the author.

Answer 40

Theme

Question 41

Refers to the author’s mood and manner of expression in a work of
literature.

Answer 41

Tone