Lesson 1: Prose Fiction Terminology
Memorize the following terms and take the quiz.
Components of Prose Fiction
Setting
-includes time (when) and place (where) the story takes place as well as the mood or atmosphere
Characters
-the protagonist is the person with whom we are meant to sympathize. In simplistic works, this means the “good guy” or “main character”. In sophisticated pieces, the protagonist may not be at all good.
Types of characters are:
Flat -has only one or two distinct character traits.
Round -is complex and multi-faceted; has many traits and is more developed.
Static -remains the same throughout the story.
Dynamic -undergoes a permanent change in some aspect of his character, outlook, or personality.
Stock -a special type of flat character; is a stereotyped character whose nature is immediately known.
Foils -two characters who contrast strongly so that the traits of each emphasize by contrast the traits of the other.
Archetype -a specific type of character who originated in myth, legend or fairytale, and who reoccurs in later literature. (eg. The rags-to-riches character based on Cinderella; the wise father figure, the wicked old crone or witch who intends to harm children)
Methods of presenting character:
Direct -the author tells us straight out, by exposition or analysis, what a character is like, or has someone else in the story tell us what he is like.
Indirect -the author shows us the character in action; we infer what he is like from what he thinks or says or does.
Principles of effective characterization:
Dramatized -the characters must be shown speaking and acting as in a drama.
Consistent -the characters must behave in a way that is in accord with their image as established by the author.
Plausible-the characters must be life-like and realistic in their portrayal.
Motivated-the characters must have logical reasons for their actions.
Conflict
-the antagonist is the force against which the protagonist must struggle. In simplistic works, this may mean the “bad guy”. In more sophisticated pieces, however, the antagonist may not be a character at all, but rather a force of nature or an aspect of the protagonist’s personality.
-this is the struggle or problem faced by the protagonist.
Conflict can be categorized into one of four types:
Human vs. Human (society, culture etc.)
Human vs. Self (age, mental/physical illness, emotion etc.)
Human vs. Nature (animals, weather etc.)
Human vs. the Unknown (supernatural, machine, etc.)
It is also important to be specific about conflict. For example, you can state that a conflict is human vs. human, but you must also identify who the “humans” are.
Note: Your conflict should reflect whom you have identified as the protagonist and antagonist. If your antagonist is a person, then the conflict cannot be Human vs Self.
P.O.V.
-the point of view is the perspective from which a story is told. There are 4 types of pov:
Omniscient– narrated in third person (he / she). Narrator has ability to relate feelings and thoughts of any characters at any point.
Limited Omniscient – narrated in third person (he / she). Narrator has ability to relate feelings and thoughts of only one character.
First Person – narrated in first person (I). Narrator is a character in the story – may be protagonist or simply a secondary character.
Objective– narrated in third person (he / she Narrator is a detached observer who has no insight into any character’s thoughts or feelings. Narrator can only report on actions and dialogue.
Theme
-the theme is the author’s message.
Theme must be worded as a statement that makes a statement about life or reveals a truth about human nature.
A theme statement should not be a cliche.
Methods of presenting theme:
Explicit-where an author states a theme outright as in a moral or lesson.
Implicit-where theme must be inferred by the reader based on events, actions or dialogue in the story.
Plot
-this is the sequence of events in a story. Generally, a plot diagram is used to outline the major events in a story.
Components of Prose Fiction
Setting
-includes time (when) and place (where) the story takes place as well as the mood or atmosphere
Characters
-the protagonist is the person with whom we are meant to sympathize. In simplistic works, this means the “good guy” or “main character”. In sophisticated pieces, the protagonist may not be at all good.
Types of characters are:
Flat -has only one or two distinct character traits.
Round -is complex and multi-faceted; has many traits and is more developed.
Static -remains the same throughout the story.
Dynamic -undergoes a permanent change in some aspect of his character, outlook, or personality.
Stock -a special type of flat character; is a stereotyped character whose nature is immediately known.
Foils -two characters who contrast strongly so that the traits of each emphasize by contrast the traits of the other.
Archetype -a specific type of character who originated in myth, legend or fairytale, and who reoccurs in later literature. (eg. The rags-to-riches character based on Cinderella; the wise father figure, the wicked old crone or witch who intends to harm children)
Methods of presenting character:
Direct -the author tells us straight out, by exposition or analysis, what a character is like, or has someone else in the story tell us what he is like.
Indirect -the author shows us the character in action; we infer what he is like from what he thinks or says or does.
Principles of effective characterization:
Dramatized -the characters must be shown speaking and acting as in a drama.
Consistent -the characters must behave in a way that is in accord with their image as established by the author.
Plausible-the characters must be life-like and realistic in their portrayal.
Motivated-the characters must have logical reasons for their actions.
Conflict
-the antagonist is the force against which the protagonist must struggle. In simplistic works, this may mean the “bad guy”. In more sophisticated pieces, however, the antagonist may not be a character at all, but rather a force of nature or an aspect of the protagonist’s personality.
-this is the struggle or problem faced by the protagonist.
Conflict can be categorized into one of four types:
Human vs. Human (society, culture etc.)
Human vs. Self (age, mental/physical illness, emotion etc.)
Human vs. Nature (animals, weather etc.)
Human vs. the Unknown (supernatural, machine, etc.)
It is also important to be specific about conflict. For example, you can state that a conflict is human vs. human, but you must also identify who the “humans” are.
Note: Your conflict should reflect whom you have identified as the protagonist and antagonist. If your antagonist is a person, then the conflict cannot be Human vs Self.
P.O.V.
-the point of view is the perspective from which a story is told. There are 4 types of pov:
Omniscient– narrated in third person (he / she). Narrator has ability to relate feelings and thoughts of any characters at any point.
Limited Omniscient – narrated in third person (he / she). Narrator has ability to relate feelings and thoughts of only one character.
First Person – narrated in first person (I). Narrator is a character in the story – may be protagonist or simply a secondary character.
Objective– narrated in third person (he / she Narrator is a detached observer who has no insight into any character’s thoughts or feelings. Narrator can only report on actions and dialogue.
Theme
-the theme is the author’s message.
Theme must be worded as a statement that makes a statement about life or reveals a truth about human nature.
A theme statement should not be a cliche.
Methods of presenting theme:
Explicit-where an author states a theme outright as in a moral or lesson.
Implicit-where theme must be inferred by the reader based on events, actions or dialogue in the story.
Plot
-this is the sequence of events in a story. Generally, a plot diagram is used to outline the major events in a story.
a.Exposition / Introduction: setting and character introduced
b. Rising Action: events building suspense
c. Conflict: the problem or struggle faced by the protagonist
d. Climax: point where the protagonist undergoes a significant change
e. Falling Action / Denouement: plot twists begin to unravel
f. Resolution / Conclusion: problem is resolved (no longer exists in its present form)
b. Rising Action: events building suspense
c. Conflict: the problem or struggle faced by the protagonist
d. Climax: point where the protagonist undergoes a significant change
e. Falling Action / Denouement: plot twists begin to unravel
f. Resolution / Conclusion: problem is resolved (no longer exists in its present form)
Assignment 33S: (email your teacher when finished)
(Note: due to an error, this quiz has been removed from QuestionMark)
Once you have studied the above terminology, please email your teacher to request access to the prose fiction terminology quiz.
This quiz will be sent as an attachment through "registered" email. **Do not open the email until you are ready to write the quiz** When you open the email, a confirmation email is sent to your teacher informing them you have read the email. You should immediately start the quiz. Your teacher expects it will be completed and emailed back within 45 min of the time you opened the email. If it is not, your score will not count.
Once you have studied the above terminology, please email your teacher to request access to the prose fiction terminology quiz.
This quiz will be sent as an attachment through "registered" email. **Do not open the email until you are ready to write the quiz** When you open the email, a confirmation email is sent to your teacher informing them you have read the email. You should immediately start the quiz. Your teacher expects it will be completed and emailed back within 45 min of the time you opened the email. If it is not, your score will not count.