1.2 Reading Fiction
Explore narrative elements and learn to analyze short stories and novels.
50 min
4 oppgaver
PlotCharacterSettingThemePoint of view
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0 / 4 oppgaver
Reading Fiction
Fiction includes stories that are created from the author's imagination. This includes
short stories, novels, and plays. Understanding the elements of fiction helps you
appreciate and analyze what you read.
Plot
Plot is the sequence of events in a story. It usually includes:
- Exposition: Introduction of characters and setting
- Rising action: Events that build tension
- Climax: The turning point or most exciting moment
- Falling action: Events after the climax
- Resolution: How the story ends
- Exposition: Introduction of characters and setting
- Rising action: Events that build tension
- Climax: The turning point or most exciting moment
- Falling action: Events after the climax
- Resolution: How the story ends
Character
Characters are the people (or animals/creatures) in a story.
- Protagonist: The main character
- Antagonist: The character who opposes the protagonist
- Dynamic character: Changes during the story
- Static character: Stays the same throughout
- Protagonist: The main character
- Antagonist: The character who opposes the protagonist
- Dynamic character: Changes during the story
- Static character: Stays the same throughout
Setting
Setting is where and when the story takes place. It includes:
- Place: The location (country, city, building, etc.)
- Time: When it happens (historical period, season, time of day)
- Atmosphere: The mood created by the setting
- Place: The location (country, city, building, etc.)
- Time: When it happens (historical period, season, time of day)
- Atmosphere: The mood created by the setting
Theme
Theme is the main message or idea in a story. Common themes include:
- Friendship and loyalty
- Good vs. evil
- Growing up and coming of age
- Love and relationships
- Courage and overcoming fears
- Friendship and loyalty
- Good vs. evil
- Growing up and coming of age
- Love and relationships
- Courage and overcoming fears
Narrative Point of View
The narrator tells the story. Different points of view include:
First person ("I"): The narrator is a character in the story.
> "I walked into the room and immediately felt something was wrong."
Third person limited: The narrator knows one character's thoughts.
> "Sarah walked into the room. She immediately felt something was wrong."
Third person omniscient: The narrator knows everyone's thoughts.
> "Sarah walked in feeling nervous. Meanwhile, Tom was hiding behind the door, excited about the surprise."
✏️Analyzing a Story Opening
Analyze this story opening:
"It was a dark December evening when Maya first saw the old house. Snow was falling
softly, covering the broken fence and overgrown garden. She shouldn't be here -
everyone knew the place was haunted - but the mysterious letter had left her no choice."
Setting:
- Place: An old, abandoned house with a broken fence and overgrown garden
- Time: December evening, winter, snowing
- Atmosphere: Mysterious, slightly scary
- Place: An old, abandoned house with a broken fence and overgrown garden
- Time: December evening, winter, snowing
- Atmosphere: Mysterious, slightly scary
Character: Maya - she seems brave (going to a "haunted" house) but also cautious ("She shouldn't be here")
Plot setup: There's a mysterious letter that has somehow forced Maya to come here - this creates suspense
Point of view: Third person limited - we know Maya's thoughts but not others'
📝Oppgave 1
📝Oppgave 2
Which point of view is this? "I never expected to find a dragon in my backpack."
a
Identify the narrative point of view used in this sentence.
📝Oppgave 3
A character who changes and grows during a story is called a:
a
What is the term for a character who develops throughout a story?
📝Oppgave 4
Read a short story and write an analysis.
a
Identify the main characters and describe if they are dynamic or static.
b
Describe the setting and explain how it affects the mood of the story.
c
What is the theme of the story? Give examples from the text to support your answer.