The document explores the elements, techniques, and literary devices in fiction, detailing aspects such as setting, character, point of view, plot, conflict, and theme. It emphasizes the importance of these components in storytelling and categorizes different types of characters and conflicts, providing examples from the story 'The Necklace.' Additionally, it discusses various literary techniques like tone, foreshadowing, symbolism, and irony that enhance the narrative's depth.

1. Elements, Techniques,
and Literary Devices
in Various Modes of
Fiction

2. Fiction
•The word fiction is from the Latin word “fictus,”
which means “to form.” Fiction is formed in many
ways.
•It can be through performances, writing, and
plays. In literary writing, it includes short stories,
novels, and drama.
•Fiction is simply product of writer’s imagination.
•It can be real or reel. There are instances in which
subjects in the real world are being used to create
a clear picture of the story.

3. Elements of
Fiction

4. A. Setting and Atmosphere
•The time and place where the story takes
place.
Example: Mathilde Loisel longs to live a life
of rich opulence in France during the
1800s. In the given example, France is the
place where the story happens and 1800s
is the time when it happens.

5. Guide Questions:
1. When does the story take place? (Chronological)
2. Where does the story take place? (Physical)
3. How does the writer describe the time?
4. How does the writer describe the place?
5. What could you see, hear, smell, or feel as you
read?
6. Does the time or place affect the characters or
plot of the story?

6. B. Character
•A character is the figure in a literary
work which can be a person, an
animal, being, creature, or thing in a
story. Writers use characters to
perform the actions and speak
dialogue, moving the story along a
plot line.

7. Types of
Character

8. Protagonist
•It is the main character, around which the
whole story revolves. The decisions made by
this character will be affected by a conflict from
within, or externally through another character,
nature, technology, society, or the fates/God.
•Example: In the story “The Necklace”, the
protagonist is Mathilde because the story
revolves around her.

9. Antagonist
• This character or group of characters, causes the
conflict for the protagonist. However, the antagonist
could be the protagonist, who is torn by a problem
within. The antagonist could also be a part of society or
part of nature, such as an animal, the weather, a
mountain or lake or something out of the character’s
control, like fate.
• Example: In the story “The Necklace”, the antagonist of
the story is Mathilde herself, this is because her desire
to live a wealthy life, leads to her losing what wealth
and status she initially has.

10. Minor characters
• These are the other characters in a story. They are
not as important as the major characters, but still
play a large part in the story. Their actions help
drive the story forward. They may impact the
decisions the protagonist or antagonist make,
either helping or interfering with the conflict.
• In the story “The Necklace”, the minor characters
are Mathilde’s husband, Mr. Loisel and Mme.
Forestier to whom she borrowed the necklace.

11. Guide Questions:
1. Who is the most important character? Why?
2. Are there characters with small roles that are
important to the story? Why?
3. What do other characters say or do that influences
the reader about the other characters?
4. How do the characters change? Why? Which
characters don't change? Is character change
important for the story? Why?
5. Why do you think the character did that or why the
writer allowed that to happen?

12. C. Point of View
• It is the “narrative point of view,” how the story is told
—more specifically, who tells it.
• First person point of view. “I/we” perspective - First
person is when “I” am telling the story. The narrator
tells the story as something personally experienced.
The character is in the story, relating his or her
experiences directly.
• Second person point of view or the “you”
perspective The story is told to “you.” This POV is not
common in fiction, but it’s still good to know (it is
common in nonfiction)

13. • Third person point of view or the “he/she/it/they”
perspective
1. Third person point of view - Limited. The story is about
“he” or “she.” This is the most common point of view. The
narrator is outside of the story and focuses on one
character’s perspective, which is commonly the
protagonist of the story
2. Third person point of view - Omniscient. The story is
still about “he” or “she,” and “all-knowing”. The narrator
has full access to the thoughts and experiences of all
characters in the story.

14. D. Plot
The five main elements of a plot:
• Exposition. The Introduction This is the beginning of the story. It is where
characters and setting are introduced. The conflict or main problem may
also be introduced as well.
• Rising Action. The Introduction of the Conflict Rising Action occurs when a
series of events build up to the conflict. The events begin to get
complicated. In this part, the tension out of the conflict increases.
• Climax. The High Point The climax, or the main point of the plot is the
moment of highest interest and emotion, leaving the reader wondering
what is going to happen next.
• Falling Action. The Winding Down Falling Action, or the winding down of
the story, occurs when events and complications begin to resolve. The
result of the actions of the main characters are put forward.
• Resolution. The End Resolution, or the conclusion, is the end of a story,
which may occur with either a happy or a tragic ending.

15. Key Questions:
1. How did the author begin the story?
2. What are the major events in the story?
3. What do you think will happen next in the story or
after the story?
4. What is the shortest summary you can create for
the story?
5. What are the most important events in the story?
Why do you believe they are important?
6. What could have happened differently?

16. E. Conflict
•In literature, conflict is the result of
competing desires or the presence of
obstacles that need to be overcome. The
conflict in the story “The Necklace” was
Mathilde was invited to a fancy ball but
she had nothing to wear.

17. Types of Conflict
• Man vs. Man The struggle of the main character against
another character or group, the antagonist, to achieve
victory.
• Man vs. Nature The struggle of the main character
against force of nature.
• Man vs. Self The struggle of the main character facing his
or her own fears, flaws, and emotions also known as an
internal conflict. The story may surround a difficult
decision the central character has to make.
• Man vs. Society The struggle of the main character
against the norms of his or her society.The society
depicted in these stories is often oppressive or unjust in
some way.

18. F. Theme
•The theme is the main idea/topic or underlying
meaning explored in the literary work. Usually,
the theme of a work of literature can be stated
in one word, such as “love” or “redemption”, or
word “Good vs. Evil”. A work of literature can,
and often does, have more than one theme.
The theme is generally not stated explicitly in
the text, but instead is expressed through the
characters’ actions, words, and thoughts.

19. Key Questions:
1. What is the author's message?
2. What is the story about?
3. Is the title appropriate? Why?
4. What does the story mean to you?
5. What lesson does the story have that
resembles life?
6. Why did the author write this story?

20. Techniques and Literary
Devices of Fiction

21. A. Tone and Mood
• Tone is the attitude of a writer toward a
subject or an audience. Tone is generally
conveyed through the choice of words, or the
viewpoint of a writer on a particular subject.
• Mood While tone is all about the author, mood
is all about the reader. Mood is atmosphere
created by the author’s words. It is the feeling
that readers get from reading the literary work.

22. B. Foreshadowing
•Foreshadowing is a literary device which
the writer gives a hint that something is
going to happen. This is done by showing
certain events, people or information that
are an indication of something that will
occur later on in a story. Foreshadowing
can add tension or expectation to the
narrative.

23. C. Symbolism and Motif
•Symbolisms Symbolism is the use of symbols can be
an object, person, situation, event or action to
represents ideas and qualities, by giving them
symbolic meanings that are different from their
literal sense.
Ex: dove for peace, rose for romance
•Motif Motif is the recurring object or idea
throughout a literary work that has symbolic
significance.
Ex: The motif of the story “The Necklace” is coveting.

24. D. Irony
• Irony is a literary device, which shows a contrast between the
expectations for a situation and what actually occurs in reality. This
can be a difference between the literal meaning of something that is
said and the underlying meaning.
• Verbal (or Communicative) Irony This irony comes from saying or
communicating the opposite of what is truly meant; sarcasm is the
most common example, but verbal irony isn't always sarcastic.
• Situational Irony This occurs when surprising details, often
revealed near the end of a narrative, are unexpected or
contradictory.
• Dramatic Irony It's the contrast between what one character says
and what the reader or viewer knows to be true. For example, in a
horror movie, you should never go to the bathroom yourself. The
effect is to help the reader know the truth.