The document discusses the classic story of Cinderella, detailing its plot, characters, setting, and themes. It explains how Cinderella, who is mistreated by her stepsisters, attends a ball with the help of her fairy godmother, ultimately leading to her marriage with the prince. The text also analyzes various elements of fiction, such as conflict types and plot stages, highlighting their roles in shaping the narrative.

1. Please Check your
work…
The plot of
Cinderella
Cinderella lives
with her stepsisters
and their mother.
they make her wear
rags and do all the
hard work.
An
invitation
to the ball
arrives.
A fairy
godmother
appears and
provides
Cinderella
with clothes,
a coach, and
footman.
The
stepsisters
go to the
ball.
Cinderella
goes to the
ball.
Cinderella dances
with the prince,
but leaves hurriedly
at midnight; losing a
slipper
The prince
says he
will marry
the woman
whom the
slipper fits.
The stepsisters
try to force their
feet into the slipper.
It fits Cinderella.
Cinderella and
the prince marry.
They live happily
ever after.

2. The
Elements
of Fiction

3. In this PowerPoint we will look at the
elements of fiction through the classic short
story “Cinderella” to examine how the
elements “interact” to shape the stories we
love.

4. Plot
Plot is the sequence of events in a story.
Each event causes or leads to the next. Plot
is often created through conflict, a struggle
between opposing forces.
An external conflict is one between a
character and an outside force, such as
another character, nature, society, or fate.
An internal conflict takes place within the
mind of a character who is torn between
opposing feelings or between different
courses of action.

5. Types of Conflict
Conflict is generally categorized in the following ways:
Person versus Person: this is an external struggle between
two characters
Person versus Society: this is an external struggle between a
character and a social force or condition produced by society,
such as poverty, political revolution, or a set of values
Person versus Nature: this is an external struggle between a
character and some natural obstacle or natural condition such
as the weather
Person versus Fate: this is an external struggle between a
character and what is to be and what the character wants his
or life to be. For example, a character feels that his fate is to
become a warrior. He may try to change it by leaving his
homeland.
Person versus Self: this is an internal struggle within a
character, where aspects of his or her personality may struggle
for dominance. These aspects may be emotional, intellectual,
or moral.

6. Problem and Conflict in
“Cinderella”
Problem: Cinderella wants to go to the ball, but her
stepsisters prevent her from going.
Conflict: The conflict is external—Cinderella versus the
stepsisters and their mother or person vs. person (also
called character vs. character)
Think about it…how does this affect what happens in the
story?

7. The Five Stages of Plot
Exposition introduces the story’s characters, setting,
and conflict.
Rising action occurs as complications, twists, or
intensifications of the conflict occur.
Climax is the emotional high point of the story.
Falling action is the logical result of the climax.
Resolution presents the final outcome of the story.
Look again at the plot diagram on the next slide and
consider how these sections work together and affect
what happens in the story Cinderella.

8. The 5 Stages of
plot in
Cinderella
Cinderella lives
with her stepsisters
and their mother.
they make her wear
rags and do all the
hard work.
An
invitation
to the ball
arrives.
A fairy
godmother
appears and
provides
Cinderella
with clothes,
a coach, and
footman.
The
stepsisters
go to the
ball.
Cinderella
goes to the
ball.
Cinderella dances
with the prince,
but leaves hurriedly
at midnight; losing a
slipper
The prince
says he
will marry
the woman
whom the
slipper fits.
The stepsisters
try to force their
feet into the slipper.
It fits Cinderella.
Cinderella and
the prince marry.
They live happily
ever after.

9. Setting
Setting is the time and place of the story’s
action. Setting includes ideas, customs,
values, and beliefs.
Sometimes this is stated specifically.
Sometimes you have to infer

10. The setting in “Cinderella”
The story takes place a long time ago in a land ruled by a king
and a queen.
Think about it…how does this affect what happens in the story?

11. Characters
Characters are the actors in a story’s plot.
They can be people, animals, or whatever the
writer chooses.
The protagonist is the main character.
The antagonist is the person in conflict with
the main character. Not all stories have
antagonists.

12. Characters in “Cinderella”
The main characters are Cinderella, the stepsisters,
their mother, the fairy godmother, and the prince.
Protagonist: Cinderella
Antagonist: the stepsisters, their mother
Again, think about it…how does this affect what
happens in the story?

13. Point of View
Point of view refers to the relationship of the
narrator, or storyteller, to the story.
In first-person point of view, the narrator is a
character in the story, referred to as “I.”
In third-person limited point of view, the narrator
reveals the thoughts of only one character, referring
to that character as “he” or “she.”
In third-person omniscient point of view, the narrator
knows everything about the story’s events and
reveals the thoughts of all the characters.
Think about it…how does this affect what we, the
readers, learn about what happens in the story?
Cinderella is told through
the third-person omniscient
point of view.

14. Theme
Theme is the central idea or message of a
story, often a perception about life or
human nature.
Stated themes are directly presented in a
story.
Implied themes must be inferred by
considering all the elements of a story and
asking what message about life is conveyed.
The theme of “Cinderella” is implied. The
reader can infer the message that if you are
in a bad situation, you should do the best
that you can. In the end, things will work
out for you.
Think about it…how does this affect the path
of the story?