BINALONAN, PANGASINAN

COLLEGE OF TEACHER EDUCATION

BACHELOR OF SECONDARY EDUCATION MAJOR IN ENGLISH
First Semester, A.Y. 2024-2025
COGNATE 1: CREATIVE WRITING

TERM FINALS
MODULE NO. 7
MODULE TITLE FICTION

INTRODUCTION
This module focuses on the review of the definition, features, and forms/types of fiction. It also
includes the different elements of fiction that the students shall consider and include in their
original fictional texts.

I. OBJECTIVES
At the end of the end of this module, students should be able to:
a. discuss fiction, its types, and its elements;
b. share how fiction represents certain realities of life; and
c. produce original fictional texts creatively.

II. DATE AND TIME ALLOTMENT

November 11, 2024 (1.5 hours)

III. LECTURES

FICTION
FICTION is the form of any work that deals, in part or in whole, with information or events
that are NOT factual, but rather, imaginary and theoretical – that is, invented by the
author. Although fiction describes a major branch of literary work, it may also refer to
theatrical, cinematic or musical work.

Fiction is a narrative in prose that shows an imaginative recreation and reconstruction of

life and presents human life in two levels:

a.)The world of objective reality – made up of human actions and experiences;

and
b.)The world of subjective reality – dealing with human apprehension and
comprehension.

THREE FEATURES OF FICTION

1. REALISTIC FICTION – although untrue, it COULD actually happen. Some
events, the people, and the places may even be real. It can be possible that in the
future imagined events could physically happen.

2. NON-REALISTIC FICTION – is that in which the story’s event COULD NOT

happen in real life, which involve an alternate form of history of mankind, other
than that recorded, or need impossible technology. A good deal of fiction books is
like these, including works of Lewis Carroll (Alice in Wonderland), J.K. Rowling
(Harry Potter series), and J.R.R. Tolkien (The Lord of the Rings).

3. SEMI-FICTION – is fiction implementing a great deal of non-fiction, for

example: a fictional depiction “based on a true story,” or a fictionalized account, or
a reconstructed biography. Often, even when the author claims the story is true,
there may be significant additions and subtractions from the true story to make it
more suitable for storytelling.
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FORMS / TYPES OF FICTION

Traditionally, fiction includes novels, short stories, fables, fairy tales, plays or drama,
poetry, but now also encompasses films, comic books and video games.

1. NOVEL – a long fictitious narrative with a complicated plot. It may have a main
plot and one or more sub-plots that develop with the main plot. Characters and
actions representative of the real life of past or present times are portrayed in
a plot. It is made up of chapters.

2. SHORT STORY – often referred to as a “slice of life.” It is a fictitious narrative

compressed into one unit of time, place, and action. It deals with a single
character interest, a single emotion or series of emotions called forth by a
single situation. It is distinguished from the novel by its compression.

3. FABLES – it is a short story, often featuring animals with human traits, to which
writers attach morals or explanations.

4. PARABLES – is a brief, succinct story, in prose or verse that illustrates a moral

or religious lesson. (NOTE: It differs from a fable in that fables use animals,
plants, inanimate objects, and forces of nature as actors while parables
generally are stories featuring human actors or agents).
5. DRAMA – comes from the Greek word “dran” which means “to do.” It is the art
of make-believe; it consists in part of acting out events that happened or that
are imagined happening. ARISTOTLE defines drama as “the imitation of an
action.” (NOTE: Drama is NOT the same as play production, drama is the
literary text, when performed it is called a Play).
6. SCIENCE FICTION – Science fiction stories often take place in the future and
involve fictional aspects of science and technology. Characteristics of science
fiction include:
• Space or time travel
• Futuristic setting or alternate history
• Advanced technology
• Exploration of societal issues within our current societal model
(Dystopian society)
7. MYSTERY – it is a genre of fiction that focuses on solving crimes and
mysterious events. Ordinarily, the protagonist is a detective, and the remaining
characters are suspects until proven otherwise. Common characteristics of the
mystery genre include:
• A mysterious crime or death that needs to be solved
• Suspects that have motives that the detective must evaluate
• Clues left by the author that show the reader possible outcomes
about who the murderer might be red herrings, or clues that lead the
reader to false conclusions about the murder
8. HISTORICAL FICTION – it is a story that takes readers to a particular time and
place in the past, typically at least 50 years or more in order for it to be
considered historical fiction. Although the story takes place in the past, the plot
itself is one that didn't actually happen in history. Common characteristics of
historical fiction include:
• A combination of historical and fictional experiences
• A setting that exists in a historical time and place in the past
• Mostly fictionalized characters, but occasionally there is a character
that is based on a historical figure from that time period.

9. THRILLER – it generally has a fast-paced storyline and tension and suspense

from beginning to end. There are many sub-genres within the thriller genre
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such as the psychological, political and spy variety to name a few. Some
characteristics of the thriller genre include:
• Suspense incorporated throughout the novel
• Plot twists to keep the readers guessing as they read
• Cliffhangers at the end of each chapter that leaves the plotline at a
climactic moment in the story Ending climax to answer the
questions readers build up throughout the story
10. YOUNG ADULT – writers create and market young adult fiction to readers
between the ages of 12 and 18. The plotline can be realistic or can contain
magical elements, but in most young adult fiction the protagonist faces
challenges and changes that are relatable to an adolescent. Common
elements in the young adult fiction genre include:
• A teenage protagonist
• A love triangle in which the protagonist must choose between two
potential love interests.
• Conflicts in the story that are age-appropriate for the audience such
as trying to feel like they belong, succeeding in a sport or having a
romantic relationship.
11. REALISTIC FICTION – it is a type of fiction in which a story is told that could
easily happen in today's society. It contains believable characters and events
and takes place in an actual setting, but the storyline itself is one that has never
actually happened. Characteristics of realistic fiction include:
• Conflicts that the reader could face in everyday life
• A setting that takes place in the present-day and is an actual location
or a fictional place that could be real.
• Characters that seem like actual people you might encounter.
• Conflicts that are solved realistically
12. ROMANCE – it can take place during any time period and may contain a
realistic plot line or have magical elements, but the primary element of a
romance novel is that there is a central love story throughout the novel. Other
characteristics include:
• A hero or main protagonist with whom the other main character falls
in love.
• Many conflicts throughout the story making it difficult for the
characters to be together.
• An emotionally satisfying conclusion
13. HORROR – its purpose is to create feelings of terror and excitement in the
reader. Common characteristics include:
• Explorations into the darker aspects of humanity.
• Main characters who readers can identify with and who often have
haunted pasts and emotional traumas.
• Supernatural elements such as ghosts or demonic forces.
• A goal to provoke terror in their readers

14. FANTASY – it is a type of fiction that focuses on magical and supernatural

elements that do not exist in the actual world. There can be elements of
romance, action and mystery in fantasy, and typically include the following
characteristics:
• Magical elements or characters of magic, like sorcerers, witches or
werewolves
• Conflict involving good versus evil
• Imaginary worlds, often similar to medieval settings
• Mythical characters or beings like elves, dragons or talking animals.
ELEMENTS OF FICTION
 BINALONAN, PANGASINAN

1. CHARACTERS are the representations of human being in a story. They are the complex
combination of both inner and outer self.
1.1 CHARACTERIZATION is the method used by the author/writer to reveal
the PERSONALITY of the characters.

DIRECT CHARACTERIZATION – includes descriptions

of the characters, descriptions of other characters and
description of the author/writer.

INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION – includes actions

and thoughts of the characters.

1.2 KINDS OF CHARACTER:

*According to PRINCIPALITY:

PROTAGONIST is the character with whom the reader

empathizes.
ANTAGONIST is the character that goes against the main
character usually the protagonist.

*According to DEVELOPMENT:

DYNAMIC is the character that exhibits noticeable

development.
STATIC is the character who exhibits NO changes and
development.

*According to PERSONALITY:
ROUND – is the character that displays different/multiple
personalities throughout the story.
FLAT – is the character that reveals conventional traits who
remain the same throughout the story. His/her character DOES
NOT grow.

2. SETTING – it is the locale (place) or period (time) in which the action of a short story,
play, novel or the film takes place. If the writer uses words, mentions things in the native
language, give names to character’s lines to create a vivid picture of a native place to
describe local scenery, it is called LOCAL COLOR.
TWO TYPES OF SETTING:

PHYSICAL SETTING – it is where the story takes place. The “where” can be very
general or very specific.
CHRONOLOGICAL SETTING – it is when the story takes place which can be
equally general or specific.

3. PLOT – it is the sequence of events in the story, arranged and linked by causality.
KINDS OF PLOT:
LINEAR PLOT – moves with the natural sequence of events where actions are
arranged sequentially. (From beginning)

CIRCULAR PLOT – is a kind of plot where development of the story merges with
an interruption in the chronological order to show an event that happened in the
past.
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IN MEDIAS RES – is a kind of plot where the story commences in the middle of
the action/story.

CLIMAX

RISING ACTION/ FALLING ACTION

COMPLICATION

PLOT
EXPOSITION/ RESOLUTION/
INTRODUCTION ENDING

EXPOSITION / INTRODUCTION – it sets the scene by introducing the situation

and setting. It introduces the time, place, setting and the main characters.

RISING ACTION/COMPLICATION – it unfolds the problems and struggles that

would be encountered by the characters leading to the crisis. It is usually where
the CONFLICT would enter.

CLIMAX – it is the peak of the story which leads to an affirmation, a decision, an

action, or even realization. This is the point of greatest emotional intensity,
interest as well as suspense.
FALLING ACTION – is the part that shows that the conflict or problem is solved;
it is the finishing of things leading to its downward movement or end.
RESOLUTION/ENDING – it is the part that brings the story back to its equilibrium.
It contains the last statements about the story.

PLOT DEVICES

FLASHBACK – is the writers’ use of interruption of the chronological sequence of the

story to GO BACK to related incidents which occurred in the PAST.
FORESHADOWING – is the writers’ use of hints and clues to indicate events THAT WILL
HAPPEN later in the story. The use of this technique both creates suspense and prepares
the reader/s for what is to come.
FORESHADOWING DEVICES:
▪ Title of the Story
▪ Dialogues of characters
▪ Event or action in the story
▪ Prophecy
▪ Dreams
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4. CONFLICT – it is the struggle or complication involving the characters. It is the basic

tension, predicament, or challenge that propels a story’s plot. The existence of conflict
enhances the readers’ understanding of a character. It creates the suspense and interest
that make you and to continue reading. Conflict is a major element of plot because it
arouses curiosity, causes doubt, creates tension and produces interest.

TYPES OF CONFLICT:
*INTERNAL CONFLICT – occurs when the character struggles within
himself of herself.
a. Man vs. Him/Herself – it is a type of conflict where a character
has trouble deciding what to do in a particular situation.
Sometimes the inner self is the character’s own worst enemy. An
internal conflict is a good test of a character’s values. The internal
conflicts of a character and how they are resolved are good clues
to the character’s inner strength.

*INTERPERSONAL CONFLICT – pits the character against someone

else.
a. Man vs. Man – a type of conflict where one character in the story
has a problem or tension with one or more of the other characters.

*EXTERNAL CONFLICT – it is when the character is in conflict with the

values of his or her society and with the other social factors and unavoidable
events.
a. Man vs. Society – it is a type of conflict where a character has a
conflict or problem with some element of society – the school, the
law, the accepted way of doing things, and so on.
b. Man vs. Nature – it is a type of conflict where a character has a
problem with some natural happening or any elements common to
nature.
c. Man vs. Fate – it is a type of conflict where a character has to
battle what seems to be an uncontrollable problem.

5. POINT OF VIEW (POV) – it determines the narrator of the story. (The form of
narration also affects the story itself).

TYPES OF POINT OF VIEW

TYPES OF POINT OF CHARACTERISTICS PRONOUNS
VIEW
FIRST PERSON POINT The speaker is part of the story, I, me, mine, we, us,
OF VIEW can observe characters but reveals our(s).
feelings and reactions only of self.

THIRD PERSON POINT The speaker in the story is the He, him, his, she,
OF VIEW author/writer of the story. He/she her(s), they, them,
narrates based on what he their(s).
observed/his opinion. He/she is a
character in the story.
THIRD PERSON The narrator is not part of the story. He, him, his, she,
LIMITED POINT OF He/she cannot read the characters’ her(s), they, them,
VIEW mind. their(s).
OMNISCIENT POINT The narrator that tells the story He, him, his, she,
OF VIEW from an ALL-KNOWING form of her(s), they, them,
view. He/she sees the mind of all their(s).
the characters.
 BINALONAN, PANGASINAN

6. THEME – is a significant TRUTH about life and its nature which takes place in the
illustrations and decisions of the characters. It is the central or dominating idea in the
literary work.

NOTE:
▪ A theme may be STATED or implied.
▪ Theme is not the same as the MORAL/LESSON of the story.
▪ Themes may be MAJOR or MINOR.
▪ A major theme is an idea the author returns to time and again. It becomes one of
the most important ideas in the story.
▪ Minor themes are ideas that may appear from time to time.

PRINCIPLE IN STATING THE THEME OF THE STORY:

▪ It reports for all the major details of the story.
▪ It may be avowed in more than one way.
▪ It is stated in COMPLETE statements/sentences.
▪ It asserts a sweeping statement about life.

Examples of Themes:
“Love knows no boundaries.” – Romeo and Juliet.
“Personality is greater than appearance.” – Beauty When the Other Dancer is the Self.

7. IRONY – it is the DISCREPANCY between what it seems and what it really is.
TYPES OF IRONY:
VERBAL IRONY – discrepancy between what a speaker says and what he/she
means. He/she says one thing but he/she means another.
DRAMATIC IRONY – occurs when there is a GAP between what the audience
knows and what the character believes or expects.
SITUATIONAL IRONY – discrepancy between expectation and result; intention
and outcome; illusion and reality.
8. MOOD – it is the feeling or atmosphere a writer/author creates for the reader. The
choice of setting, objects, details, images, and words all contribute towards creating a
specific mood of a story. It is the emotional IMPACT felt by the reader of the work.
9. TONE – it is the writer/author’s attitude stated or implied towards a subject. The
author’s tone can be revealed through choice of words, actions and details. Some
possible attitudes are optimism, pessimism, seriousness, bitterness, humorous, and
joyful.
10. SYMBOLISM – it could be a person, place, or object which has meaning in itself but
suggests other meanings as well. It is anything that suggests a meaning beyond the
obvious. They bring to mind NOT their own concrete qualities, but the idea or obstruction
that is ASSOCIATED with them. (Examples: Bright sunshine after the storm symbolizes
hope; a necklace could symbolize one’s love)
11. IMAGERY – these are words and phrases that create vivid sensory experiences for
the reader. It is the language that appeals to the senses.

Example: “Her blue eyes were as bright as the sun, blue as the sky, but soft as
silk.”
12. STYLE – these are the ways in which authors/writers assemble/arrange and use words to
tell the story, develop an argument, dramatize the play or composes the poem.
ESSENTIAL ASPECT OF STYLE IS DICTION:
Formal – these are the standards and elegant words.
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Neutral – these are the everyday standard vocabulary used.

Informal – colloquial, substandard language.

------------------------------------------END OF MODULE # 6-------------------------------------------------

Prepared:

JAN KARLO THOMAS V. RANCHEZ, LPT

Instructor, College of Teacher Education

Checked:

RAYMOND N. CLARO, PHD

Dean, College of Teacher Education