Unit 1: Is There a Difference Between Reality and Truth?

comments / observations (elements of fiction)

Statements made by the narrator or the main character, which may do much to help to reveal the story's theme.

title (element of fiction)

The name given to the work in question, which may prompt or help suggest the story's theme.

examples (elements of nonfiction)

These are specific illustrations of a general concept.

statement of facts (elements of nonfiction)

These are statements that can be proven true.

personal observations (elements of nonfiction)

These are statements that the author makes based on his own firsthand knowledge and experience.

conflict (element of fiction)

These are the struggles between opposing forces, which may be either internal, or psychological nature, or external, with a force or entity of some kind. These types of conflict often work in unison. (along w/ conflict is resolution) (conflict may bring along a positive)

anecdote (element of nonfiction)

This is a brief story that illustrates a point.

symbol (element of fiction)

This is a character, place, object, or even event that might help to represent a story's theme.

narrative (element of fiction)

This is a product of the author's imagination, which portrays imaginary people, known as characters, in a series of interrelated events, which is known as the plot.

expert opinion (element of nonfiction)

This is information from an individual or group that is an authority on the subject being addressed.

analogy (elements of nonfiction)

A comparison of dissimilar things that focuses in on an important connection to clarify understanding similes and metaphors (*like or as*)

central ideas (elements of nonfiction)

In a work of nonfiction, an author reveals key concepts or main points he wants the readers to understand and remember, usually via a thesis statement. If it is implied, the reader must determine the central idea by analyzing details to formulate the author's purpose/intent, which might be to inform or explain, to persuade in an effort to convince the reader to adopt a particular opinion or to take a particular action or to entertain.

theme (element of fiction)

This is often as seen as the main idea a work of fiction is attempting to communicate. In addition, it might provide an insight into human life. These may suggest through the words, actions or the fate of a story's characters. It is sometimes implied through other means, or the reader must infer it, based on the information provided.

truth

This is something that has been proven. In certain circumstances, truth can be viewed as somewhat subjective in that it is frequently influenced by one's life experiences. Truth can sometimes be misinterpreted due to people's life experiences

point of view (element of fiction)

This is the way in which the author chooses to tell the story. The author may try to give us some perspective or see things a certain way based on the point of view. (danger we only get one perspective of the story).

setting (element of fiction

This is where the story takes place, which may be real or imaginary. This too, often reveals ides, customs, or beliefs of a certain time or place. Setting can be used as an item to further the story and could be more important.

reality

This refers to all the things that exists in the world.

abstract ideas

not real, not concrete. Existing in thought only

A first-person narrative/work of fiction (element of fiction)

occurs when the narrator is a character in the story. We can only get one opinion or one side of the story.

A third person narrative/work of fiction (element of fiction)

occurs when the voice is removed from the story.

Reality and Truth

these two things are certainly correctly characterized as abstract ideas, but each, in its own way, does much to influence the way one sees the world