FNS - Module Overview
Fiction: Novels and Short Stories
Introduction
Fiction is one of the major genres of literature. The novel and the short story are two common literary forms in fiction. The novel is one of the most popular types of literature in the world! Short stories share many of the same characteristics as novels, but are much shorter and generally feature a small cast of named characters, focusing on a self-contained incident with the intent of evoking a single effect or mood. Both novels and short stories incorporate themes, or main ideas that an author is trying to express to the reader about life or human nature, that encourage readers to think about life in a meaningful way. Theme is just one of the ways an author creates meaning. Plot development, characterization, conflict, and point of view, among others, are also devices that authors use to develop meaning. In this module, we will look both novels and short stories and will analyze how elements of fiction contribute to the author's deeper meaning.
Essential Questions
- What are the best ways to find and cite evidence from the text to support my claims about the text?
- How can character development and interaction develop the theme in a text?
- How can I determine the purpose for a speaker's point of view and use of evidence while also identifying any false or exaggerated claims?
Key Terms
Setting: The time and place in which a story takes place
Plot: The series of events that make up a story
Characters: A person in a novel, story, play, or movie
Indirect Characterization: When the narrator shows the reader something about the character through the character's actions, things the character says, or things other characters say
Direct Characterization: When the author specifically reveals traits about the character in a direct, straightforward manner
Flat Character: A character whose personality can be described as having one or two personality traits and who does not have a lot of importance or depth
Round Character: A complex character with many personality traits and who does have many characteristics, high importance, and much depth
Static Character: A character who does not undergo any type of inner change (personality/attitude) throughout the text
Dynamic Character: A character who does undergo a type of inner change (personality/attitude) throughout the text
Foil Character: A character who creates a contrast to a different character in order to highlight particular qualities of the other character (good appears more "good" when evil is present)
Point of View: The perspective from which a story is told
Theme: The main idea of a piece of writing or work of literature that an author is trying to express to the reader about life or human nature
Internal Conflict: The psychological or mental struggle within the mind of a literary or dramatic character
External Conflict: The struggle between a literary or dramatic character and an outside force such as nature or another character
Verbal Irony: Irony in which a person says or writes one thing and means another, or uses words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of the literal meaning
Situational Irony: Irony in which something happens that is not expected to happen
Dramatic Irony: Irony in which the audience knows something that the character does not
Protagonist: The main character of a literary work.
Antagonist: A character or force against which another character struggles.
Mood: The feeling the reader has from a text or work of literature
Tone: The attitude the writer gives off toward a subject
Symbolism: The use of one object or idea to represent another object or idea
Key Terms Review
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