6 Elements of Fiction: A Beginner’s Guide (2024)

It’s easy to lose track of the fundamentals in the dearth of writing advice currently circulating the web. If you’re looking for some universal, down-to-earth help on making your fiction the best it can be, then it might help to take a look at the basics, starting with the six elements of fiction.

In this article, we’ll talk about what they are, how to practice with them in your own work, and give examples of each. If you’re a beginner, this is a great place to start taking a closer look at the components of your stories. If you’re an expert, this is your chance to hone some basic skills!

Without further ado, let’s get started!

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6 Elements of Fiction: A Beginner’s Guide (1)

6 Elements of Fiction: A Beginner’s Guide (2)

6 Elements of Fiction: A Beginner’s Guide (3)6 Elements of Fiction: A Beginner’s Guide (4)

Here are six elements of fiction to know:

  1. Character
  2. Plot
  3. Point of View
  4. Setting
  5. Style
  6. Theme

Character

One of the first elements of fiction most encounter. Characters are the people the reader follows through your story. They’re the ones we watch grow and develop. We get attached to your characters, and even if you’ve got an interesting premise and setting, a flat character can turn a reader off immediately.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re creating characters for your story:

6 Elements of Fiction: A Beginner’s Guide (5)

Flat vs. Round

In general, there are flat and round characters. You want round characters, and you want to avoid flat ones as much as possible.

Flat characters are characters without dimension. They don’t have a strong personality. They might rely too heavily on stereotype or one personality trait. Round characters, on the other hand, have some dimension. They have diverse interests, an interesting backstory, and they feel like real people.

Your characters should be complicated. Give them interests, motivations, and complex characteristics. People contain multitudes! Nobody in real life is just one thing, and your characters shouldn’t be, either.

Want vs. Need

It’s important to identify what your character wants—-after all, the story should follow them trying to pursue it! But it’s also important to know what your character really needs, and to know whether these things line up.

For example, in Avatar the Last Airbender, Zuko wants to recapture the Avatar and regain his honor. What he really needs is to accept himself and help Aang restore balance to the world.

Plot

A story needs, well, a story. Learning to use this as one of the key elements of fiction, the plot of your novel is made up of the events that take place. Everything that happens is a part of the plot! This is one of the most foundational of the elements of fiction. There are plenty of different ways you can structure your novel to map out the action, but these tips will be helpful no matter what structure you choose.

Cause and Effect

When you sit down to write your scenes, keep your character’s goals in mind. Why are they about to do what they’re doing?

It’s also important that something changes in each scene. Often, when a reader says ‘nothing happened’ in a scene, it’s because there was no change at all in the status quo.

Your character’s actions should impact the plot, and the plot points should be impactful to the overall story.

Conflict

Conflict is the driving source of tension in your novel, and it’s what will keep readers hooked throughout the story. In a romance, the conflict is “will they end up together?” In a mystery, it’s usually “who did it?”

Your conflict comes from the challenges your characters face trying to pursue their goal. If you’re getting feedback that your novel reads too slowly or if you feel that you’re having a hard time figuring out what your characters should do next, throw them some conflict! Give them a problem to solve that’s rooted in their personalities, flaws, and desires.

Know Your Ending

Some people prefer not to outline, and some people swear by it, but the truth is this: it’s much easier to get where you’re going if you know where you’re headed.

You don’t have to have the ending exact, but at least having an idea of how it ends—-do they end up together? Did the butler commit the murder?—will help you plot the rest of your novel.

Point of View

The point of view in a novel is the vantage point from which we read. It’s the lens being used to convey information to the reader. There are three types of POV: first, second, and third, which third being divided into limited and omniscient.

First Person

First person means we’re inside the main character’s head using the pronoun “I.” This is the closest possible point of view, as it means we can never leave the main character’s head for the entire story. We’re locked in, and we’re here for the ride.

First person is often used in young adult literature, but it’s also pretty common in character-driven adult fiction like literary fiction or realistic fiction. It creates an immediate sense of intimacy just by putting us right in the character’s head.

Second Person

Second person is the “you” point of view. This sometimes gets confused with epistolary books, which are actually technically first person, but here’s how you tell them apart: in the second person, “you” is the main character, not the addressee. There will be no mention of an “I,” since we’re reading from the perspective of “you.”

In an epistolary book, though, we’re reading from the perspective of the person writing the letter. They might use “I,” and they’re addressing “you.”

Third Person Limited

Third person limited means we’re reading from the perspective of a specific character, and we’re using he, she, or they. Because the perspective is limited, we can only see inside our narrating character’s head, and we don’t get the thoughts or perspectives of other characters.

Third person close is a subtype of third person limited. In third person close, we’re in our narrator’s head just as intensely as we might be if we were in first person, but we’re using third person pronouns.

Third Person Omniscient

Third person omniscient is the only point of view where we get more than one character’s perspective in a scene. This point of view also uses third person pronouns.

Third person omniscient isn’t the same as having alternating POV in a novel. You might have chapters of a book from different characters’ perspectives, but in each of these chapters, we’re usually reading from that character’s perspective.

Because you’re able to see everyone’s perspective, motives, and thoughts, this perspective can make it difficult to have meaningful conflict. But it’s not impossible!

Setting

Where does your novel take place? The answer will dramatically alter your characters, plot, and even genre, so it’s important to consider when you’re working on your outline. Here are a few things to keep in mind when considering your story’s setting:

Time Period

In the same way that we need to know where your story takes place, we need to know when it takes place. Is your story set in the eighties? If so, you’ll need to take that into consideration when you’re plotting your murder mystery.

Even if you’re writing a fantasy novel, it’s still good to keep in mind when the story happened in that universe. You don’t necessarily need to go the route of J.R.R. Tolkein and have your whole country’s history mapped out, but knowing the general chronology will make a big difference in the feel and tone of your story.

Location

This is the most simple element of setting: where is it?

If you’re writing realistic fiction, consider what city or state you’re working with. What’s life like there? How do the struggles unique to that location play a part in your story?

If you’re writing fantasy and you’ve got some worldbuilding to do, geography is hugely important. A port city will look radically different from a desert city, and both will be way different than a village in the tropics.

Style

A style is the words, diction, syntax, and structure that a writer uses. Like everything else on this list, it’ll vary a lot by genre. This one is a little tricky, out of all the elements of fiction this may be the most subjective. Basically, it takes time to hone your specific style. Do you favor shorter, more brutal sentences, like Cormac McCarthy, or do you like more colorful descriptions and a more academic tone, like Donna Tartt?

There’s two big things you can do to lock down your style.

First, read as much as you can and as broadly as possible. We often write what we read, especially when we’re starting out, so it’s good to have a wide variety coming in.

Second, practice writing as much as possible. The more you practice, the more you’ll shake copying other authors’ styles and start developing and honing your own.

Theme

When we talk about the themes of a story, we’re talking about what the story was ‘about.’ Theme is the recurring issues brought up in a story. A theme of many superhero movies is sacrifice—-our hero has a new ability to stop evil, but at a great personal cost. A theme of Lord of the Rings is the effect of war on people. Frodo is unable to return to the Shire after what he’s seen and has to go West to be at peace.

Read broadly in the genre you intend to write. What are the sorts of themes being explored? You don’t have to necessarily touch on the same topics, but it’s good to know what sort of tone you want to strike. A romance novel might not be the place for a gritty examination of climate change, for example.

When you’re writing, keep in mind what this story is about—-not just at a surface level, but on an analytic, symbolic level. What does the end imply? How do your characters change, and how does that impact the themes you’re exploring?

Every Element of Fiction A Writer Could Consider

Feel free to use this article as a reference point when you’re stuck on a particularly tricky scene or while you’re outlining.

Keeping these six elements of fiction in mind will keep your storytelling fresh, and wherever your story goes, these tips will be there for you!

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6 Elements of Fiction: A Beginner’s Guide (2024)

FAQs

What are the 7 elements of fiction PDF? ›

Plot, Setting, Character, Conflict, Symbol, and Point of View are the main elements which fiction writers use to develop a story and its Theme.

What are the elements of fiction and its meaning? ›

Elements of Fiction: Definition

These elements are character, plot, setting, theme, point of view, conflict, and tone. All seven elements work together to create a coherent story. When you're writing a story, these are the fundamental building blocks you should use. You can approach the seven elements in any order.

What are story elements for 7th grade? ›

The plot can be further divided into sub-elements such as introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. It is the what of the story. The plot usually begins with a problem and ends in the story's resolution.

What is a six word fiction? ›

A six-word story is an entire story told in six words. It is a short narrative that can have all of the emotional themes of longer stories—from funny to dramatic, sad to scary. It can be poetic or straightforward.

What are the elements of fiction quizlet? ›

Match
  • Setting. The time and place in which the action of a literary work occurs.
  • Plot. The action in a story. ...
  • Exposition. ...
  • Rising Action. ...
  • Falling Action. ...
  • Resolution. ...
  • Conflict. ...
  • Point of View.

What are the 5 main elements of fiction? ›

  • The Five Elements. of. Fiction.
  • Characters.
  • Setting.
  • Point of View.
  • Theme.
  • Plot.
  • Plot.

What are the 8 key elements of a fiction story? ›

What are the Elements of a Story? There are eight elements of a story: theme, plot, characters, setting, conflict, point-of-view, tone and style.

What are the 9 elements of fiction? ›

So, keep in mind that you need a main theme, characters, setting, tension, climax, resolution, plot, purpose and chronology for a powerful story.

What is the most important element of fiction? ›

Character is perhaps the most important element of fiction, as things must happen to someone or something in order for a story to progress. Not only is this crucial for story development, but as human beings, we read stories and enjoy stories because we can see ourselves in them, often through the characters.

What is theme in elements of fiction? ›

Theme is the central idea or meaning of a story. Theme in fiction is rarely presented at all; it is abstracted from the details of character and action that compose the story. It provides a unifying point around which the plot, characters, setting, point of view, symbols, and other elements of a story are organized.

Why are fiction elements important? ›

Studying the story elements and structure of fiction is an important way to deepen your child's reading comprehension because it helps them understand what is important. It also spills over nicely into helping them write their own fictional stories.

How the 6 elements of a story work together? ›

The basic bones of a story are setting, character, plot, conflict, and theme. These elements work together to create the basic structure of a story. Without any one of these components, a story will fall flat, and changing any one of these elements can dramatically affect a story's structure and impact.

What is story element chart? ›

A story map is a graphic organizer that helps students learn the elements of a narrative. Learning to identify a story's characters, plot, setting, problem, and solution prompts students to read carefully to learn the important details.

What are basic story elements? ›

There are five key elements to every story: plot, setting, characters, point of view, and conflict.

What is the most famous 6 word story? ›

The most famous example of a six-word story is frequently credited to Ernest Hemingway (though there's little evidence that he actually wrote it): “For sale: baby shoes. Never worn.” In six simple words, a heartbreaking narrative is told—from the few words but also from what is left out.

What is 6 flash fiction? ›

A flash fiction story—sometimes called a short short or nanofiction—is one that has a complete plot in under 1,500 words. Some flash fiction pieces consist of as few as five or six words. But no matter how short, flash fiction stories still contain the main elements of a plot.

What is a 6 word summary? ›

Six Word Story is a teaching strategy that allows students to practice summarizing and selective word choice. Students use an image or an article as the basis for a story that conveys a big idea using only six words.

What are the six elements of fiction Brainly? ›

Expert-Verified Answer

The six major elements of fiction are character, plot, point of view, setting, style, and theme.

What are the elements of fiction crossword? ›

Elements included in this crossword puzzle are: Antagonist, Character, Climax, Conflict, Dialogue, Exposition, Falling Action, Mood, Moral, Narrator, Plot, Protagonist, Resolution, Rising Action, Setting, Theme, and Tone.

What are the unique elements of fiction? ›

What Are the Characteristics of Literary Fiction?
  • Character-focused narratives.
  • Ample symbolism, metaphor, and allegory.
  • Advanced vocabulary infused with imagery.
  • Ambiguous plot points, including even the work's conclusion.
  • Exploration of larger philosophical themes regarding the human condition and the will of nature.
Aug 20, 2021

What are the main types of fiction? ›

There are three main types of fiction, also known as forms: short story, novella, and novel. The form of a fictional work is determined primarily by the work's length.

How do you introduce elements in fiction? ›

How to Teach Story Elements? The best way to teach story elements is through your daily read alouds. During this time you can introduce the terms with a story elements anchor chart and discuss them with your students. Typically it is best to introduce one component at a time.

What are the four main elements of fiction? ›

The Four Elements of Fiction: Character, Setting, Situation, and Theme is a detailed discussion about the importance of how the four elements of fiction must relate to one another in order to produce a page-turner.

What are story elements for 4th graders? ›

Story Elements: Setting, Characters, Plot, and Theme. The setting of a story is the time and place in which the events happen. It includes the physical, historical, and cultural settings of a story. It includes the situation in which a character or characters find themselves.

What are the 12 elements of narrative? ›

All great stories can be broken down into twelve essential elements.
...
The 12 elements of every great story
  • A protagonist. ...
  • An antagonist. ...
  • Setting. ...
  • Perspective. ...
  • Something to fight for. ...
  • Something to lose. ...
  • Rising action. ...
  • Falling action.
Jan 6, 2022

What is the structure of fiction? ›

Exposition – the beginning of the story, where the scene is set and the characters are introduced. Conflict – a conflict or problem occurs which the character has to overcome. Climax – the conflict or problem hits its peak. Resolution – the problem is solved – either happily or sadly.

What element is the major problem in the story? ›

Conflict is the dramatic struggle between two forces in a story. Without conflict, there is no plot. Conflict is a problem that must be solved; an issue between the protagonist and antagonist forces.

What is the most important element of a short story and why? ›

Character development is one of the most important literary elements. Developing a main character and secondary characters is a core part of a writer's narrative process. Character affects the point of view of your story, especially if you decide to tell it in first-person as opposed to third-person.

What does conflict mean in elements of a fiction? ›

CONFLICT: Conflict refers to the various problems a character encounters in a story. The central character will usually face one central (major) conflict and several minor conflicts (complications). Conflicts are of three general types: man vs. man; man vs. cosmos; and man vs.

What is irony in elements of fiction? ›

Irony results when there is a difference between what appears to be happening and what is actually happening. For example, when a character or reader expects or assumes one thing and the opposite is true, the writer has created irony. Literature and Language: English and World Literature.

What is the climax of a story? ›

Another element of the PLOT is the CLIMAX. The CLIMAX of the story is when the CONFLICT of the PLOT is resolved.It is often the most exciting part of the story: when the hero saves the princess, discovers the buried treasure, or slays the dragon.

What is the power of fiction? ›

Fiction has a power that no other form of communication does: the power to insert you fully and completely in someone else's mind. It is a meld between the mind of the reader and the writer, and the minds of reader and character. When you read fiction, you're seeing the world through a character's eyes.

What are the 6 steps of a story? ›

How to Write a Story in 6 Spellbinding Steps
  • Start with a character or concept. ...
  • Create intrigue with your inciting incident. ...
  • Ramp up your story with rising action. ...
  • Culminate in a climax. ...
  • Strike an ending that satisfies. ...
  • Refine in the rewrite.
Oct 7, 2021

What are the 6 parts of a story plot? ›

The 6 Elements of Plot
  • Exposition. At the beginning of the story, the exposition establishes characters and setting. ...
  • Inciting Incident. ...
  • Rising action, or Progressive Complications. ...
  • Dilemma (or crisis, according to Story Grid). ...
  • Climax. ...
  • Denouement or Resolution.
Jan 4, 2023

What is a six part story called? ›

A hexalogy (from Greek ἑξα- hexa-, "six" and -λογία -logia, "discourse") is a compound literary or narrative work that is made up of six distinct works.

Is theme a story element? ›

Theme isn't so much an element of fiction as much as the result of the entire story. The theme is the main idea the writer of the poem or story wants the reader to understand and remember.

What are story elements 1st grade? ›

First grade focuses on the basic story elements: character, setting, events. Second and third grade get much more focused on the character and what happens with the character throughout the story.

What are the three 3 most important story elements? ›

You can use endlessly different story structures and styles, but each story or novel is going to boil down to three fundamental elements: character, setting, and plot.

How should a story start? ›

Starting Stories: 5 Great Beginning Strategies
  1. Strategy 1: Begin with action or dialogue. ...
  2. Strategy 2: Ask a question. ...
  3. Strategy 3: Describe the setting. ...
  4. Strategy 4: Begin with background information. ...
  5. Strategy 5: Have the main character introduce himself or herself.

What are story elements 5th grade? ›

REMEMBER: The four elements of narrative writing—setting, characters, plot, and theme—work together to make a complete story.

What is the 8 elements of fiction? ›

What are the Elements of a Story? There are eight elements of a story: theme, plot, characters, setting, conflict, point-of-view, tone and style.

What are the 9 Elements of fiction? ›

So, keep in mind that you need a main theme, characters, setting, tension, climax, resolution, plot, purpose and chronology for a powerful story.

What are the 9 literary elements? ›

A literary element refers to components of a literary work (character, setting, plot, theme, frame, exposition, ending/denouement, motif, titling, narrative point-‐of-‐view). These are technical terms for the “what” of a work.

What are the basics of fiction? ›

These six tools (Character, Dialogue, Point of View, Narrative Style, Setting, and Plot) are what every accomplished fiction writer knows and uses to craft their stories.

What is the most important elements of fiction? ›

Character is perhaps the most important element of fiction, as things must happen to someone or something in order for a story to progress. Not only is this crucial for story development, but as human beings, we read stories and enjoy stories because we can see ourselves in them, often through the characters.

What are the 4 main story elements? ›

1. To define four major story elements: character, setting, plot, and theme.

What are story elements Grade 4? ›

REMEMBER: The four story elements of setting, characters, plot, and theme work together to make a complete story.

What are key elements of a story? ›

You can use endlessly different story structures and styles, but each story or novel is going to boil down to three fundamental elements: character, setting, and plot.

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