This document provides a summary of teaching fiction and its elements. It discusses plot structure, characterization, conflict, theme, and other literary elements. It also defines various genres of fiction like fairy tales, realistic fiction, historical fiction, mystery, fantasy, and science fiction. Specific elements of each genre are outlined. The document aims to help teachers effectively teach fiction to students through understanding these concepts.

1. Teaching For Understanding In Fiction Presented by Angela Maiers Angelamaiers.com Omaha Public Schools January 13, 2009

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4. WHAT HOW Assessing the Mission

5. 21 st Century Expectations Code Breaker Text User Meaning Maker Text Critic

8. Fiction is…

9. All that mankind has done, thought, gained, or been, is lying, as in magic preservation in the pages of a book! ~William Shakespeare~

10. What makes a Story Good?

11. Fiction is…

15. Big Ideas in Fiction

16. the part of a book, magazine, argument, film, poem, text, etc… that articulates the authors message or ideas about the underlying topic or theme which may or may not be explicitly stated. BIG IDEA…

18. Inferring Imaging Questioning Monitoring Synthesizing Using Schema Det. Importance

19. “ Life” Story “ Book” Story (THEME) Fiction = Stories of Life

21. Considering Genre...

36. C C C C S

37. P P

38. CON

39. R

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41. Plot Structure Plot is the literary element that describes the structure of a story. It shows the a causal arrangement of events and actions within a story.

42. Plot: Introduction: Problem: (Issue, desire, focused interest or character flaw that impacts the main character) * (this will sometimes include elements from the rising action and the climax; when students understand this framework well, then move them to differentiate between rising action and climax) Resolution: (this may sometimes appear on the last page with the conclusion, but it is more common to be before; remember…this is what has transitioned with the problem) Conclusion: (remember – this is the last physical thing you visually available at the end of the text) 2 3 4 5 6 8 7 Characters: Setting: 1

43. Role Cards for Retelling Plot Structure: Type, Variations, Craft… Characterization: Types, Feelings, Traits Introduction: Chara, Setting, Set Up… Literary Devices Problem /Conflict Explored Viewpoint/Tone Mood Re s olution /Conclusion Language Elements: Word Choices, Style, … I think the author wrote this story to show us... (THEME)

45. Plot Structure Plot is the literary element that describes the structure of a story. It shows the a causal arrangement of events and actions within a story.

53. Book ________________________________ Character_____________________________ Character Evaluation Page # CharacterTraits Like Myself? Like a Friend? Like someone from another story?

54. Character Sketch Name: Live: Friends/Family Physical Description: What do they want more than anything? ( deep desires) Fears Character Traits

55. Story Development Chart Chapter___ Chapter___ Chapter___ Chapter___ Chapter___ Characters focused on during this chapter... Techniques used by the author to clarify events or create visual images... Traits and/or feelings revealed about main character... Traits or understandings revealed about others... Conflict or issues revealed... I believe the main problem the character is dealing with is... Purpose of this chapter or the main idea that moves the story forward...

57. Types of Conflict Person vs. Fate Person vs Nature Person vs Society Person vs Self Person vs Person

60. Instead of…

61. Fiction 2.0

72. Plot A definition of plot in secondary institutions is more detailed than that of elementary texts. It is much more concrete not only for students, but also for teachers. Plot includes specific elements from beginning of a story to the end – but are labeled more specifically than sequence of events. Below you will find a brief definition of each part of the plot structure. Introduction : Specific things we want readers to notice about the introduction include: who is introduced in the beginning and what the setting is during the opening of this story. Things we can have students reflect on after the reading of the text include analysis of these characters to determine their roles and significance as well as the importance of any other characters introduced later in the text. We can have them also consider the importance of the setting and any changes that occur. Problem: The problem in a text is a conflict or struggle that the main character(s) is(are) facing. It can stem from something that the character desperately wants or could reflect character flaws. The problem in a text usually comes within the first few pages of a picture book or the first chapter of a novel. It is this problem that throws the progression of the rising action into full force. Rising Action: The major events that move the story forward are the events. This is the part of the story in which tension is built. Understanding problem and resolution help a reader determine importance of these events. We must be careful about having students find “three major events”. Putting an exact number on this can give students a false understanding about what they are to identify. They focus on “three” instead of sifting through the information and justifying for themselves what seems to be critical.

73. Climax: The climax is the “Aha!” or turning point of a story. For students, however, this definition by itself is still intangible. It is the place in the story where they can find the most critical event that creates the environment for the resolution. Resolution: Commonly called the “solution”, although the definition is really a bit deeper than the character’s problem being solved or going away. When we as readers can understand this element of plot on a deeper level, we begin to get a strong sense of the author’s message. Sometimes a problem is solved on a very simplistic scale. This is reflective of some early reader texts. However, more often than not, resolution is about coming to terms with a particular conflict or achieving something that was strongly desired. Stories with good plot structure include characters who walk away from the story changed in some manner. They become more aware of themselves and the relationships they encounter throughout the journey of the text. Conclusion: The conclusion of a story is the last scene within the story. It is the final picture we have before the curtain falls at the end of the performance. There are three basic types of conclusions: closed, open and cliffhanger. Closed Endings: These are the endings that give us the warm fuzzy at the end of a story. There is a definite closure that allows us to leave the book feeling satisfied with the outcome. Open Endings: A story may end without a clear feeling of closure. The reader has to infer the outcomes based on the information given in the book. ? Cliffhangers: We find these endings at the end of chapters or novels that will have a sequel. They abruptly end at a very intense part of the plot, possibly without a clear resolution to entice the reader to want to read more.

74. Theme: Universal understandings that authors write about in their stories. growing up jealousy making friends success fear siblings romance trickery failure change overcoming injustice power arrogance death superficial love courage acceptance selfishness being ordinary moving on family relationships (beginning, ending, trials within) wealth

75. Alliteration- repetition of identical consonant sounds. Usually at the beginnings of words - such as “The infamous killer fought for his freedom, wanting not flesh but retreat.” Analogy - a comparison between two things to show their similarities by comparing something unfamiliar to something familiar Anecdote- short account of a true event in a person’s life used to raise points, explain ideas or describe personalities. Antagonist- person or force that opposes the protagonist Autobiography- story of a person’s life written by that person. A diary is a from that gives day by day events. Character- person in a literary work static- remains the same through out the work dynamic- changes due to the influence of events or other people flat - reveals one personality trait round- shows a variety of complex and sometimes contradictory traits. foil - a character that exhibits traits completely opposite of the main character Literary Terms

76. Characterization- personality of character and the method the author uses to create this personality. direct - writer states facts about the character indirect -character revealed through physical appearance, the way they move, the way they talk, what they say and what other characters say about them. Climax- point of highest tension and excitement in a narrative - the turning point of the story Colloquial language- everyday language used in conversation Conflict - struggle between two opposing forces, center of plot Internal - within a person –person vs. self External - character struggles with an outside force, such as nature, a person, society, and fate Connotation - all suggested meanings and associations a word brings to mind beyond its denotation or literal meaning Literary Terms

77. Connotation - all suggested meanings and associations a word brings to mind beyond its denotation or literal meaning Description - writing that creates an impression of a person, place or thing to enhance poems, stories, and nonfiction Dialect - type of speech that differs from the standard form of language, occurring in pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar Dialogue - conversation between characters in drama, fiction, non- fiction, epic, or dramatic poem—reveals characters’ thoughts nd opinions and allows for interplay of ideas Diary - individual’s personal day-by-day account of impressions of events, may be chronicled in a journal-less intimate than a diary Diction - choice of words to fit a character, theme, setting, or subject of a poem, story, essay, or play—used to express what is intended Figurative Language - language not meant to be interpreted literally, but used in a special way to create a special effect: analogy, hyperbole, metaphor, onomatopoeia, simile, idioms Literary Terms

78. Flashback - interruption to relate events that occurred earlier, used in stream of consciousness and conventional narratives Foreshadowing - use of clues by the author to prepare reader for events to come Genre - is the French word for the type of literature biography fables fairy tales fantasy folk tales historical non-fiction realistic fiction science fiction fiction legends/myths Imagery- words or phrases that evoke sensory images in the reader’s mind, Visual is most common, but others occur. Interior Monologue- internal speech by a single speaker provided by the narrator to explain a characters’ personalities or to reveal their thoughts. Journal- daily record of events kept by an individual who is a participant or witness in the events - used toe learn about people and history Literary Terms

79. Lead- opening sentences that introduce a piece of writing and gain the reader’s attention: the “hook” Legend- traditional tale, handed down, that is based on history: King Arthur Mood- emotional feeling and atmosphere in a work of literature, created by description, actions of characters, and setting eerie playful tense mysterious serious exciting sad tumultuous Narrative- writing that tells a story in chronological order, has evolved into the novel Narrator- storyteller stated - announced explicitly implied- revealed indirectly Tone- the attitude the writer expresses towards the subject ad reader. May be casual, angry, amused or indifferent. Literary Terms

80. Narrative Hook - point in the story, novel or play where the author catches the reader’s attention by presenting an interesting problem or situation that begins the conflict Onomatopoeia - words with sounds that imitate or suggest their meanings: thump, crack Personification -figure of speech where human traits are given to inanimate objects, animals or ideas Plot – structure in which fiction is framed around; relates to the struggles the main character goes through ; begins with introduction , then narrative hook (problem is announced), rising action, climax, falling action and resolution , conclusion Point of View - relationship of the narrator to the story 1st person - story told by one of the characters 3rd person - story told by someone outside of the story omniscient - told as if the writer is able to read the minds of all of the characters Literary Terms

81. Protagonist - central character of the story who usually receives the reader’s sympathies Style - author’s choice and arrangement of words in any kind of writing to convey individuality, theme and purpose Theme - main idea of story, usually expressed as a statement about life Literary Terms