Elements of Fiction: Style

 

 

 

Elements of Fiction: Style

Style includes the multitude of choices fiction writers make, consciously or not, in the process of writing a story. It encompasses not only the big-picture, strategic choices such as point of view and choice of narrator, but also tactical choices of grammar, punctuation, word usage, sentence and paragraph length and structure, tone, the use of imagery, chapter selection, titles, etc. In the process of creating a story, these choices meld to become the writer's voice, his or her own unique style.

For each piece of fiction, the author makes many choices, consciously or subconsciously, which combine to form the writer's unique style. The components of style are numerous, but include point of view, choice of narrator, fiction-writing mode, person and tense, grammar, punctuation, word usage, sentence length and structure, paragraph length and structure, tone, imagery, chapter usage, and title selection.

 

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Elements of Fiction: Theme

 

 

Elements of Fiction: Theme

Theme is what the author is trying to tell the reader. For example, the belief in the ultimate good in people, or that things are not always what they seem. This is often referred to as the "moral of the story." Some fiction contains advanced themes like morality, or the value of life, whereas other stories have no theme, or a very shallow one. re and when the story takes place.

 

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Elements of Fiction: Setting

 

Elements of Fiction: Setting

Setting is the locale and time of a story. The setting is often a real place, but may be a fictitious city or country within our own world; a different planet; or an alternate universe, which may or may not have similarities with our own universe. Sometimes setting is referred to as milieu, to include a context (such as society) beyond the immediate surroundings of the story. It is basically where and when the story takes place.

 

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Elements of Fiction: Plot

 

Elements of Fiction: Plot

The plot, or storyline, is the rendering and ordering of the events and actions of a story. Starting with the initiating event, then the rising action, conflict, climax, falling action, and ending possibly with a resolution.

Plot consists of action and reaction, also referred to as stimulus and response and has a beginning, a middle, and an ending.

The climax of the novel consists of a single action-packed sentence in which the conflict (problem) of the novel is resolved. This sentence comes towards the end of the novel. The main part of the action should come before the climax.

Plot also has a mid-level structure: scene and sequel. A scene is a unit of drama—where the action occurs. Then, after a transition of some sort, comes the sequel—an emotional reaction and regrouping, an aftermath.

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Elements of Fiction: Character

Elements of Fiction: Character

Characterization is one of the five elements of fiction, along with plot, setting, theme, and writing style. A character is a participant in the story, and is usually a person, but may be any persona, identity, or entity whose existence originates from a fictional work or performance.

Characters may be of several types:

• Point-of-view character: the character by whom the story is viewed. The point-of-view character may or may not also be the main character in the story.
• Protagonist: the main character of a story
• Antagonist: the character who stands in opposition to the protagonist
• Minor character: a character that interacts with the protagonist. They help the story move along.
• Foil character: a (usually minor) character who has traits opposed to those of the main character.

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THE CONFLICT THESAURUS, Volume 2: A Writer’s Guide to Obstacles, Adversaries, and Inner Struggles by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi | Writing Book of the Day

THE CONFLICT THESAURUS, Volume 2: A Writer’s Guide to Obstacles, Adversaries, and Inner Struggles

by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi

 

Writing Book of the Day

Meet your new best friend: The Conflict Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Obstacles, Adversaries, and Inner Struggles, SILVER Edition.

Activate the power of conflict--challenge characters, write fresh plots & add tension to each scene.

 

A story where the character gets exactly what they want doesn’t make for good reading. But add villainous clashes, lost advantages, power struggles, and menacing threats…well, now we have the makings of a page-turner. Conflict is the golden thread that binds plot to arc, providing the complications, setbacks, and derailments that make the character’s inner and outer journeys dynamic.

FORTIFY YOUR STORY BY ADDING MEANINGFUL CONFLICT AT DIFFERENT LEVELS

Inside Volume 2 of The Conflict Thesaurus, you’ll find:

• A myriad of conflict options in the form of power struggles, ego-related stressors, dangers and threats, advantage and control losses, and other miscellaneous challenges
• Information on how each scenario should hinder the character on the path to their goal so they’ll learn valuable life lessons and gain insight into what’s holding them back internally
• Instruction about using the multiple levels of conflict to add pressure through immediate, scene-level challenges and looming problems that take time to solve
• Guidance on keeping a story’s central conflict in the spotlight and utilizing subplots effectively so they work with—not against—the main plot line
• An exploration of the climax and how to make this pinnacle event highly satisfying for readers
• Ways to use conflict to deepen your story, facilitate epic adversarial showdowns, give your characters agency, infuse every scene with tension, and more

Meaningful conflict can be so much more than a series of roadblocks. Challenge your characters inside and out with over 100 tension-inducing scenarios in this second volume of The Conflict Thesaurus.

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The Study of a Novel by Selden Lincoln Whitcomb

The Study of a Novel

by Selden Lincoln Whitcomb

 

 

FOREWORD BY OLIVIA SALTER

In the realm of literature, few pleasures compare to the immersive experience of delving into a well-crafted novel. Through the pages of a novel, we are transported to distant lands, introduced to captivating characters, and invited to explore the depths of the human experience. The power of storytelling lies not only in its ability to entertain but also in its potential to enlighten, provoke thought, and ignite our imaginations.

"The Study of a Novel" by Selden Lincoln Whitcomb is a remarkable exploration into the artistry and significance of the novel as a literary form. Whitcomb, a distinguished scholar and dedicated reader, brings his vast knowledge and deep appreciation for literature to unravel the layers of meaning within a novel, inviting readers on a thought-provoking journey that stretches the boundaries of interpretation.

With meticulous attention to detail, Whitcomb dismantles the traditional notions of how we approach novels and presents a fresh perspective that encourages readers to discover the hidden subtleties and intricacies within the text. He advocates for a multidimensional examination of novels, urging readers to delve beyond surface-level analysis and truly immerse themselves in the depths of the narrative.

Throughout this book, Whitcomb skillfully dissects various novels from a range of genres, each offering its own unique insights into the human condition. From the classic works of Dickens and Austen to the experimental prose of Joyce and Woolf, Whitcomb deftly navigates the vast literary landscape, illuminating the ways in which these novels have shaped our understanding of the world.

"The Study of a Novel" is not merely a guide for literary enthusiasts; it is an invitation to embrace literature as a powerful tool for intellectual and emotional growth. Whitcomb's passion for literature is contagious, and his guidance empowers readers to engage deeply with novels, encouraging them to question, analyze, and ultimately form their own interpretations.

As readers immerse themselves in the pages of this book, they will discover that the study of a novel is not limited to the classroom or to scholarly pursuits alone. Rather, it is a lifelong journey of exploration and self-discovery, a journey that has the potential to transform and enrich our lives in countless ways.

It is with great pleasure that I introduce "The Study of a Novel" by Selden Lincoln Whitcomb. May this insightful and thought-provoking work serve as a guiding light for all those who seek to unlock the profound depths of literature and explore the boundless possibilities that lie within the pages of a great novel.

Olivia Salter

11/18/2022

Contents

PREFACE INTRODUCTION CHAPTER I
    1
    
Significance of External Structure
    2
    
Characteristics of Novelistic Structure
    3
    
The Whole Composition
    4
    
The Title
    5
    
Length of Composition
    6
    
Principal Divisions of a Novel
    7
    
Volume Part and Book
    8
    
Direct and Indirect Characterization
    100
    
Relation to the Author
    101
    
Reality and Ideality
    102
    
Individuals and Types
    104
    
Social Groups
    105
    
47
    106
    
Psychological Groups
    107
    
91
    112
    

The Chapter
    9
    
The Paragraph
    10
    
Minor Divisions 12 Prose and Verse
    12
    
Dramatic and Nondramatic Form
    13
    
Nondramatic Form
    14
    
Dialogic Form in General
    15
    
Soliloquy and Monologue
    16
    
Duologue
    17
    
Group Conversation Conversation
    18
    
Concerted Speech
    19
    
Documentary Form in General
    20
    
Epistolary Form
    21
    
Syntax
    22
    
Vocabulary
    23
    
Phonology
    27
    
Significance of Consecutive Structure 26 Sequence 27 The Principal Masses 28 Sequence of Dramatic and Nondramatic Masses
    28
    
Beginning Middle and
    29
    
Movement and Situation
    30
    
15
    31
    
The Scene
    32
    
Episode
    33
    
Lines of Interest
    34
    
The Line of Emotion
    35
    
Points
    36
    
Mass in Momentum
    37
    
The Rate of Movement
    38
    
20
    39
    
Reciprocity
    40
    
Analysis of Simpler Narratives
    41
    
36
    42
    
44
    47
    
Necessity and Ideality of Narrative Plot
    48
    
Action and Narration
    49
    
Story 46 Story and Plot
    51
    
The Plot Proper
    52
    
The Single Action
    53
    
Sequence of Simple Narratives
    56
    
22
    57
    
The Climax 52 The Catastrophe
    58
    
Generalized Statement of Plot
    59
    
Unity of Plot
    60
    
Types of Plot
    61
    
Motivation
    62
    
Motivating Forces
    63
    
The Narrator His Point of View
    66
    
Temporal Point of View
    67
    
Spatial Point of View
    69
    
CHAPTER IV
    78
    
Detailed Time Settings
    79
    
General Place Setting
    81
    
Detailed Place Settings
    82
    
Circumstantial Settings
    83
    
Reality Ideality and Truth
    84
    
Vague and Exact Settings
    85
    
Natural Social and Socialized Settings
    86
    
Author and Dramatis Persona 73 Distribution
    88
    
Further Economy
    89
    
CHAPTER V
    91
    
Number
    92
    
Chapter Distribution 78 Grouping in General
    93
    
Successive Groups
    94
    
Foreground Middleground and Background Characters
    96
    
Central Characters
    97
    
Association of Characters
    99
    
92
    113
    
93
    114
    
94
    116
    
96
    118
    
97
    120
    
Objective and Subjective Aspects
    122
    
Qualities of Style
    123
    
99
    124
    
Value of Style in the Novel
    125
    
The Novelistic Type
    126
    
Novelistic Qualities
    127
    
Comprehensiveness
    128
    
Objectivity
    129
    
CHAPTER VII
    130
    
Complexity
    131
    
Secularity
    132
    
Humor
    133
    
Ideality
    134
    
Historical Period
    138
    
Nature in
    144
    
PAGE
    147
    
Popularity of Fiction
    160
    
Force
    165
    
CHAPTER IX
    166
    
The Germ of the Work
    167
    
The Plan
    169
    
The Sources
    170
    
Volitional Effect
    172
    
The Time Perspective
    173
    
Technic of the Process
    174
    
Psychology of the Process
    176
    
Collaboration 146 Fragments 166 166 167 169 170 173 174 176 180
    180
    
CHAPTER X
    181
    
History
    182
    
The Essay
    183
    
The Lyric
    184
    
48
    185
    
Other Types of Literature
    193
    
CHAPTER XII
    218
    
COMPARATIVE ÆSTHETICS
    232
    
Classification of the Arts 189 Method of Study 190 The Drama 191 Painting 192 Sculpture 193 Music 194 Architecture 195 Landscape Gardening 2...
    233
    
CHAPTER XIV
    247
    
Language as External Material
    248
    
The Value of Form 200 Individuality of a Work of
    249
    
Unity General Design
    250
    
Contrast
    252
    
Proportion
    253
    
The Comic and the Tragic
    254
    
The Beautiful and the Unbeautiful
    256
    
Artistic Truth
    257
    
Artistic Illusion
    258
    
Theories of
    260
    
Theories of the Novel
    262
    
Judgment of a Novel
    263
    
Systematic Analysis of a Novel
    265
    
The Epic
    279
    
67
    280
    
263
    283
    
Notes on the History of Novelistic Criticism
    286
    
Biography
    302
    
102
    319
    
107
    321
    
Copyright

   
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