Fiction Study Guide 1. Plot Diagram: Climax Falling Action Rising Action Exposition Initiating Event Resolution Plot – what happens in a story Parts of the Plot Diagram: a. Exposition – introduces the characters, the setting, and often the conflict, or struggle between forces (the beginning of the story) b. Initiating Event – the event that starts the action in the story c. Rising Action – moves the plot forward and shows how the conflict becomes more complicated; between initiating event and climax (between the initiating event and climax) d. Climax – the moment of greatest interest; the point of no return for the main character(s); when they have to make a decision that changes everything for them e. Falling Action – moves the plot from the climax towards the resolution (between the climax and the resolution f. Resolution – event or action ending the story; the final outcome In each stage of plot development, events may explain past or present actions or hint at future actions. 2. Conflict – struggle between forces Examples of external conflict Individual vs. Individual Individual vs. Nature Individual vs. Society Individual vs. Supernatural Individual vs. Technology Example of internal conflict. Individual vs. Self 3. Point of View First Person – The story is told by a character in the story. Pronouns: I, Me, We Third Person – The story is told by someone outside of the story Pronouns: He, She, They 4. Setting – where and when a story happens 5. Sequence – order of events in a story - events are often presented in order in which they occur - flashbacks – when the action is interrupted to present a scene from an earlier time - may include important, new information 6. Inferences – using your reason and experience (background knowledge) with information you’ve read to make an educated guess about what might happen next or what the author doesn’t say directly 7. Characterization – the way an author presents a character and reveals character traits by: a. What a character says b. What a character does c. What a character thinks d. How other characters respond to the character 8. Character Motivation – reasons behind his or her behavior Consider: the narrator’s direct comments about a character’s motivation a character’s actions or thoughts what matters to a character 9. Theme – a message about life or human nature that the writer wants readers to understand; the lesson learned from the story a. Setting is often a key element of the theme b. Consider: details that give clues to time and place the way the setting affects the thoughts and actions of the characters the importance of the setting in the conflict and how the conflict is resolved 10. Irony – a contrast between what is expected and what actually happens 11. Foreshadowing – hints or clues about events that will happen later, as the plot develops .