Elements of Fiction

Every story has the elements of fiction whether it is a short story, a novel, a play, a movie, or even a television sit-com. The story you told your husband at dinner last night probably had these elements as well.

And your child, even if he has not formally studied the elements of fiction, has already internalized many of the elements of fiction merely from exposure to stories, television, books, and drama. When it is time to introduce the literary terms of character, plot, climax, setting, conflict, and point of view, be sure to connect the ideas to the stories he already knows.

It's not hard to understand the elements of fiction, and a strong foundation in these elements is the cornerstone of writing literary analysis or even just a simpler book report. Furthermore, competence with literary elements is always part of reading scope and sequence charts for most all grade levels.

Plot, Setting, and Character

Like anything you teach, keeping concepts in context is important. So I suggest you introduce the elements of fiction in relation to a book you've recently read with your children. Here is how I first formally introduced my daughter, then 10 years old and in fifth grade, to the elements of fiction.

At the recommendation of a fellow homeschool mom, I bought Writing A Great Book Report from Weekly Reader Publishing at Currclick. (At $5, I thought I really couldn't lose!) I like that it's an e book so that I can reprint another copy of the pages for use a second or third time.

It turned out to be a great step by step introduction to the elements of fiction and a guide for writing a book report. My daughter really enjoyed working through the pages, making notes about her novel Bud, Not Buddy. Let's Write A Great Book Report includes character, setting, and plot. No other elements of fiction are mentioned, so it is an easy first activity.

NOTE: If your child has already been writing about the elements of literature, you may find this resource too simplistic. I used it as a first time exposure and it was very easy to work through. Be sure to check the preview at Currclick to make sure this is just right for your child's level. It is designed for 3rd - 4th grade.

When I taught eighth grade language arts in a public school, I came up with this visual aid to help my students remember the various elements of fiction. The first letter of each element is also the first letter of an ingredient in vegetable soup.

Soup Ingredients

C - Carrot/Character

P - Pepper/Plot

S - Salt/Setting

T - Tomato/Theme

P - Potato/Point of View

C - Corn/ Conflict

Just like good vegetable soup has lots of different ingredients, literature is full of the ingredients of fiction. You can use the printables here, or have your child make her own like my daughter did.

For the entire set of elements of fiction soup-themed printables click HERE. It includes the pages pictured above and below plus many more.

flashcards, labels, or minibooks & notebooking pages

Here is a variety of free printables that can complement your study of the elements of fiction.

I gave the book to my daughter as she started reading a new novel -- Don't You Know There's a War On? by Avi --and assigned her

one activity from each of these sections: setting, plot, character and theme

and

her choice of one activity from either point of view or conflict.

Activity One: Setting

First my daughter chose a setting activity from the choices. She created a (time) travel packet for the setting of her book. The packet included a detailed map, a brochure for a hotel, notices about possible blackouts, ration cards, and movie tickets.

Each item in the packet was based on facts learned from the book, and in looking over her work, I realized that not only was she outlining the setting of the book, but she was also including a lot of historical fact from the time period of World War 2.

Activity Two: Theme

For theme, my daughter chose to create a jigsaw puzzle that states the theme.

Activity Three: Point of View

Sprite chose to re-write a scene in the book from the perspective of another character.

Activity Four: Character

This is a reproducible page from the Scholastic book. She made a report card on the main character, Howie.

with literary analysis

Once your child has a good grasp of the main elements of fiction and can discuss them in relation to a specific novel, you can go deeper with some of these ideas and resources.

Start with a quality reference such as the Write Source 2000 or this free glossary of literary terms (suitable for middle school).

Deepen your understanding of CHARACTER by learning about these types of characters:

• round
• flat
• dynamic
• static
• antagonist
• protagonist
• foil

Learn how to write a character analysis.

Using this Character Traits Graphic Organizer may be helpful in the process.

Or better yet, Make your own customized character graphic organizer with these simple directions.

Take your understanding of PLOT farther by diagramming:

• exposition
• rising action
• climax
• resolution

If your child benefits from online activities, try these links for kid-friendly learning experiences.