Elements of Fiction Flashcards

Plot and Structure

• Plot refers to the sequence of events that make up a story, outlining the journey from beginning to end.
• Exposition introduces key elements such as characters, setting, and the basic situation, establishing the foundation for the narrative.
• Rising action involves events that build up tension leading to the climax, escalating the story's conflict.
• Climax marks the decisive moment in the narrative where the main conflict reaches its peak.
• Falling action consists of events that occur after the climax, leading towards the resolution.
• Resolution is the conclusion of the story where all loose ends are tied and the narrative comes to a close.

Characterization

• Protagonist is the principal character around whom the story revolves, often facing the main conflict.
• Antagonist opposes the protagonist, creating dramatic tension and conflict within the story.
• Direct characterization conveys a character's personality through straightforward descriptions provided by the author.
• Indirect characterization reveals a character's traits through their actions, behavior, and interactions with others.
• Flat character embodies a single quality and does not undergo significant development throughout the story.
• Round character is fully developed with complex traits, showcasing a range of emotions and personal history.

Perspectives and Irony

• Point of view determines the perspective from which the story is told, impacting reader engagement and understanding.
• First-person point of view features a character narrating their own story, providing personal insights and experiences.
• Limited point of view restricts the narrative to one character’s experiences, shaping the reader's understanding of the story.
• Omniscient point of view presents the story as if told by an all-knowing entity, offering insights into multiple characters' thoughts and feelings.
• Dramatic irony occurs when the reader is aware of information that characters are not, creating tension and engagement.
• Irony encompasses unexpected outcomes, including situational irony (contrary outcomes) and verbal irony (saying one thing while meaning another).

Themes and Techniques

• Foreshadowing employs hints or clues to suggest future events, increasing suspense and intrigue.
• Flashback integrates earlier events into the narrative, providing background and context for current events.
• Suspense builds excitement and anticipation as the story approaches its climax, drawing in the reader emotionally.
• Mood reflects the overall emotional atmosphere created by the literary work, influencing how readers feel as they engage with the text.
• Symbol represents something beyond its literal meaning, enriching the narrative with deeper significance.
• Theme conveys the main idea or insight into human life that the literary work seeks to express.

Additional Concepts

• Stereotype simplifies characters or groups into generalized traits, lacking depth or complexity.
• Moral pertains to the principles of right and wrong that may be conveyed through characters' choices and actions.
• Setting establishes the time and place of the narrative, providing context that influences characters and events.

This quiz provides flashcards focused on key elements of fiction such as plot, foreshadowing, flashback, suspense, and exposition. It's designed to enhance your understanding of narrative structure and techniques used in storytelling. Test your knowledge and learn how these elements contribute to the overall experience of reading fiction.