3. Setting Time – when is the story taking place (historical time period, time of day, year, etc..) Place – Geographical location Weather conditions Social conditions – what is the daily life of the character like? Does the story focus on local color (what the characters dress like, talk like, customs of a certain place etc…) Mood or atmosphere – what is the overall feeling of the story created in the beginning?
4. Types of Conflict External – outside forces are working against a character Internal – the conflict is within the character
5. Kinds of Conflicts Man vs. Man (external) Man vs. Self – (internal; psychological) a character has an internal struggle going on with a decision he/she has to make or something else that is affecting him/her psychologically. Man vs. Nature (external) Man vs. Technology (external) Man vs. Society (external)
6. CHaracter Protagonist – main character; all major events are centered on this person Antagonist – opposes the main character Static – doesn’t change in the story Dynamic – changes occur to this character in the story, for better or worse
7. Point of View 1st person – story is told through one of the characters; uses words like “I” and “me” to tell the story 3rd person limited – story is told through one of the characters and we get only his/her perspective; uses words like “him,” “her,” “their,” “them.” 3rd person omniscient – story is told from multiple points of view; reader sees many different sides to a story; uses words like “him,” “her,” etc…
8. Theme Author’s underlying meaning in a piece of fiction Author’s overall thoughts on a topic or view of human nature Title of work may point to theme; literary devices in the work point to theme For example: love conquers all, people are afraid to change, believe in yourself, cheaters never win
