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Elements of Fiction: Setting & Conflict

This document provides an overview of an educational module on creative writing. It introduces key elements of fiction like setting, atmosphere, conflict, and irony. It includes concept notes, exercises, and an assessment for students to test their understanding of these elements.

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17 views9 pages

Elements of Fiction: Setting & Conflict

This document provides an overview of an educational module on creative writing. It introduces key elements of fiction like setting, atmosphere, conflict, and irony. It includes concept notes, exercises, and an assessment for students to test their understanding of these elements.

Uploaded by

domafecaluyo
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

LEARNING MODULE IN

CREATIVE WRITING
Name: Grade and Section:

MODULE 6

In your previous module, you have learned some of the essential elements of fiction such as characters and
characterization, point of view, plot, and theme. However, these elements are only half of the components needed
to sustain a story. There are more other elements that could help a story in bringing the readers into another world
and provide them with different opportunities for self-development.
In this module, you will be introduced to the other elements of fiction that will further give weight and depth to a
story. This module will equip you more with various concepts and experiences that could foster deeper
appreciation for the beauty of fiction.

LESSON 1: THE ELEMENTS OF FICTION


(PART 3 – SETTING AND ATMOSPHERE)
LESSON 2: THE ELEMENTS OF FICTION
(PART 4 – CONFLICT AND IRONY)

Things you should LEARN!


This module was created for you to be able to:
1. identify the various elements, techniques, and literary devices in various modes of fiction. (DepEd-MELC,
HUMSS_CW/MPIg-i-11)

Let’s see how much do you know!


(Pre-assessment)
Directions: Supply the missing letters of each word puzzle below to identify what is being described in each
statement.

1. It provides the background and context in a story.


S T T G

2. It creates tension and interest to the plot of a story.


C N F L

3. It refers to the emotion or feeling that prevails in the entire story.


A M S P R

1
4. It is a literary device which is the contrast between what happens and what is expected to the plot of a story.
I O

5. It creates tension in the plot by making readers uncertain which of the characters or forces will prevail.
C N C T
E T E A

LESSON 1:
DAY 1 The elements of Fiction
(Part 3 – Setting and Atmosphere)
Directions: Study the Concept Notes and accomplish the given exercise on your Learning Activity Sheet.
LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET
Lesson Title: The ELEMENTS of FICTION (Part 3 – Setting and Atmosphere) Learning
Target/Competency: The learners will be able to identify the various elements, techniques, and
literary devices in various modes of fiction. (DepEd-MELC, HUMSS_CW/MPIg-i-11)
Values/Graduate Attributes: The learners will become reflective and critical thinkers, eloquent and
efficient communicators, purposeful and decisive, resourceful and innovative, ethical and morally
upright, and globally competitive and locally active individuals in touching the lives of many
through the application and exploration of different elements, techniques, and literary devices in
writing fiction and thus become valuable contributors towards a better society.
Reference(s) & Author(s): Ramos, J. O. M. & Talisay, J. M. A. (2017). FUNDAMENTALS OF
CREATIVE WRITING. Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines: Brilliant Creations Publishing,
Inc. Module No. ______6______
Concept Notes:
THE ELEMENTS OF FICTION
(Part 3 – Setting and Atmosphere)
The Other Elements of Fiction
E. Setting – The setting initiates the backdrop of fiction by providing both the historical time and
geographic location wherein your story takes place. It also saturates your story with mood, symbolic
meaning, and thematic connotations. It does so by incorporating the following aspects: 1. Cultural –
Setting is used to explore the local practices, discourses, and material expressions of a particular
culture.
2. Sociological – Setting provides focus on society and how individuals function within it. 3.
Political – Setting becomes a vehicle to criticize an existing society and comment on political events,
system, and theories.
4. Religious – Setting helps expound and illustrate a society in relation to the impact and influences
of a particular religion to the characters.

F. Atmosphere – Setting invariably establishes the atmosphere of the story. It radiates an ambiance of
emotion or feeling that may prevail in the entire story.

(For a more in-depth and detailed discussion of this lesson, please refer to your textbook in this
subject entitled, FUNDAMENTALS OF CREATIVE WRITING and study the content from pages
104 to 106.)

Exercise 1
Directions: Refer to your textbook in this subject entitled, FUNDAMENTALS OF CREATIVE
WRITING and proceed to page 107. Then, accomplish the given Exercise from the indicated page. You
may use the space from the MY NOTES section of this academic module for your work.

DAY 2
LESSON 2:
The elements of Fiction
(Part 4 – Conflict and Irony)
Directions: Study the Concept Notes and accomplish the given exercise on your Learning Activity Sheet.
LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET
Lesson Title: The ELEMENTS of FICTION (Part 4 – Conflict and Irony)
Learning Target/Competency: The learners will be able to identify the various elements, techniques,
and literary devices in various modes of fiction. (DepEd-MELC, HUMSS_CW/MPIg-i-11)
Values/Graduate Attributes: The learners will become reflective and critical thinkers, eloquent and
efficient communicators, purposeful and decisive, resourceful and innovative, ethical and morally
upright, and globally competitive and locally active individuals in touching the lives of many
through the application and exploration of different elements, techniques, and literary devices in
writing fiction and thus become valuable contributors towards a better society.
Reference(s) & Author(s): Ramos, J. O. M. & Talisay, J. M. A. (2017). FUNDAMENTALS OF
CREATIVE WRITING. Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines: Brilliant Creations Publishing,
Inc. Module No. ______6______
Concept Notes:
THE ELEMENTS OF FICTION
(Part 4 – Conflict and Irony)
G. Conflict – In fiction, conflict creates tension and interest to the plot of a story. It refers to the
different drives and interests of the characters and forces involved in the story. A conflict may be
internal – that is, a psychological conflict which arises from two opposite emotions or desires felt by
the lead character. On the other hand, a conflict may also be external in nature. It is marked by an
involvement of another character or forces in the story which put the lead character in struggle.
Types of Conflict
1. Man against man – an external conflict where a character is against another character 2. Man
against society – the character stands against a man-made institution which may include prevailing
social system such as slavery, discrimination, or even bullying
3. Man against nature – the character struggles against forces of nature such as animal, a storm,
tornado, or snow
4. Man against self – an internal conflict where the character has to come to terms with his/her own
nature. It may include making a choice between two or more paths – good or evil, logic and
emotion.

H. Irony – Another way to add interest to the plot is through irony. As conflicts create contradictions,
events in the story may appear to be radically different from what they actually are. There are three
kinds of irony that may be used in writing fiction.
Three Kinds of Irony
1. Verbal Irony – This occurs when the character’s statement carries a sharply different meaning
from what is ostensibly expressed.

2. Situational Irony – When the result of an action becomes contrary to the desired or expected
effect, a situational irony occurs.
3. Dramatic Irony – Dramatic irony occurs when the reader knows an important information in the
story while a character who is involved is unaware of it.

(For a more in-depth and detailed discussion of this lesson, please refer to your textbook in this
subject entitled, FUNDAMENTALS OF CREATIVE WRITING and study the content from pages
108 to 110.)

Exercise 2
Directions: Refer to your textbook in this subject entitled, FUNDAMENTALS OF CREATIVE
WRITING and turn to page 110. Then, accomplish the given Exercise from the indicated page. You
may use another space from the MY NOTES section of this academic module for your work.
DAY 3
Let’s see how much you hAVe LeARned!
(POST-Assessment)
KNOWLEDGE
A. Identification (10 points)
Directions: Read and analyze each of the following plots carefully. Identify what conflict of man is being
taken in the story and choose the correct answer from the choices inside the box below. Write your answer
on the space provided before each number.
Man against man Man against nature Man
against society Man against self

1. Harry attempts to stop Voldemort, who killed his parents, from stealing the
Sorcerer’s Stone. -Harry Potter & The Sorcerer’s Stone by J. K. Rowling

2. Atticus Finch wrestles with society in his efforts to achieve justice for Tom
Robinson. He believes everyone deserves a fair trial, while the rest of Maycomb is
eager to punish Tom without second thought based on the color of his skin. -To Kill
a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

3. Romeo duels Paris to avenge Mercutio’s death in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
-Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare

4. Hamlet struggles with his loyalty to his mother, his duty to avenge his father, and
his own sanity. -Hamlet by William Shakespeare

5. Katniss survives The Hunger Games and becomes the symbol of rebellion. -The
Hunger Games by Suzanne Colins

6. A cautionary tale of an airplane crash that leaves a group of adolescent boys stranded
on a remote island. There, the young boys must brave the elements and figure out
how to survive. -Lord of Flies by William Golding

7. A predatory great white shark wreaks havoc. -Jaws by Peter Benchley

4
8. At the beginning, Katniss’s main goal is to keep herself and her family alive at all
costs. Even when she sees horrible injustices happening in District 12, she never
takes a stand, because it would put herself and her family in danger. -The Hunger
Games by Suzanne Collins

9. Walter White constantly battling his desire to build a booming business to support
his family with his desire to remain part of his family. His desire to hide his crimes
with his desire to assure his wife that he isn’t drifting. -Breaking Bad: The Official
Book by Vince Gilligan

10. The main character, Guy Montag, is on the run for stealing books in a society where
books are banned. Montag is a firefighter, and it is his job to burn down the house
of anyone caught hiding banned books. While trying to escape, Montag finds himself
running through the wilderness, totally lost and unmoored. His escape puts him at
odds with nature. -Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
“Fiction is the only way to redeem the formlessness of life.”
–Martin Amis
NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE REPRODUCED, DISTRIBUTED, OR
TRANSMITTED IN ANY FORM OR BY ANY MEANS, WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN
PERMISSION OF THE AUTHOR.

CHECK your understanding!


ANSWERS FOR PRE-ASSESSMENT
1. SETTING
2. CONFLICT
3. ATMOSPHERE
4. IRONY
5. EXTERNAL CONFLICT

REFERENCES
Buhisan, A. J. F. G. & Sayseng, A. H. (2016). Creative WRITING. Pasay City, Metro
Manila, Philippines: JFS PUBLISHING Services.

Ramos, J. O. M. & Talisay, J. M. A. (2017). FUNDAMENTALS OF CREATIVE


WRITING. Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines: Brilliant Creations
Publishing, Inc.

Solmerano, E. T. M., Ondevilla, M. K. B., Chancoco, J. J. L., Del Rosario-Garcia, M.,


& Palencia, M. M. (2017). Creative Writing. Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines:
FASTBOOKS Educational Supply, Inc.
6

MY NOTES
7

MY NOTES
8

Common questions

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Setting provides the backdrop for a fiction story by establishing the historical time and geographic location of the narrative . It saturates the story with mood, symbolic meaning, and thematic connotations . It can also serve to explore cultural practices, focus on societal structures, critique political systems, and illustrate religious influences . This multidimensional role of setting is crucial in immersing readers into the fictional world and offering layers of meaning and context that enhance the story's depth.

Employing various types of irony, such as verbal, situational, and dramatic, within a single narrative can greatly enhance its complexity and depth . Each type of irony introduces different forms of contradiction and conflict, enriching the layers of meaning and encouraging the reader to interpret multifaceted perspectives. Verbal irony can sharpen characterization and dialogue nuances, situational irony can subvert expectations and provoke critical thought on circumstances, and dramatic irony sustains suspense and emotional engagement. This convergence can build a rich tapestry of thematic contrasts and reflections that captivates the reader and encourages a deeper exploration of the narrative's core messages.

Internal conflict occurs within a character, often involving psychological struggles with opposing emotions or desires, playing a crucial role in developing the character's depth and making them more relatable . External conflict involves struggles with outside forces, such as other characters, society, or nature, contributing to plot dynamics and character growth through their reactions and adaptations to these challenges . Together, these conflicts drive narrative tension and facilitate character evolution by highlighting personal change and resilience.

Authors integrate sociological aspects into the setting to enhance realism and depth by embedding characters into a larger societal context that addresses class dynamics, social hierarchy, and community interactions . This can include depicting the influence of societal institutions on individuals' lives, exploring social norms, and illustrating community conflicts and solidarities. By incorporating these elements, authors create a believable social fabric that reflects real-world issues and relationships, offering a nuanced exploration of how societal pressures shape character development and narrative progression.

Manipulating the setting can significantly influence the mood across various scenes by altering elements such as lighting, weather, or landscape to reflect and enhance emotional undercurrents . A setting that changes from an idyllic, sunny day to a dark, stormy night can shift the mood from serene to ominous, intensifying suspense or foreshadowing conflict. Similarly, the transformation of an urban landscape into desolation can mirror a character's internal despair. By carefully crafting these elements, an author can control the emotional journey of the narrative, ensuring the atmosphere complements and amplifies the storyline, thus enriching the reader's emotional experience.

Setting plays a pivotal role in establishing political themes by acting as a conduit for critiquing existing societal structures and commenting on political events and theories . Through the geographic and temporal framing of the narrative, settings can underscore political climates and highlight conflicts between characters and political institutions. This enables authors to explore and challenge political ideologies and power dynamics, using the environment as a metaphorical or literal reflection of the prevailing political landscape, thereby facilitating a deeper engagement with political discourse through the lens of fiction.

Atmosphere establishes the emotional ambiance of a story, deeply influencing the reader's engagement and emotional response . It envelops the narrative with a prevailing mood that can underscore thematic messages and enrich the reader's comprehension and empathy for the characters' experiences. This emotional layer guides readers' interpretations of events and character motivations, accentuating nuances that might not be immediately evident through setting or plot alone.

'Man against society' and 'man against nature' conflict types address different thematic explorations. 'Man against society' often involves characters challenging societal norms, laws, or institutions, leading to themes of justice, individual versus collective rights, and social change . It can prompt readers to reflect on the moral and ethical implications of social constructs and the cost of conformity. Conversely, 'man against nature' sees characters struggling against environmental forces, exploring themes of survival, human fragility, and the intrinsic connection and conflict between humans and the natural world . This conflict often underscores human vulnerability and resilience, encouraging readers to contemplate humanity's place within the larger ecological system. By juxtaposing these conflicts, stories can offer insights into both social and existential questions through their differing scales and scopes.

Dramatic irony occurs when the audience is aware of critical information that the characters in the story are not, creating a tension that heightens interest and suspense . This device entices readers to anticipate characters' actions and reactions, fostering a deeper emotional investment as they foresee potential outcomes the characters themselves cannot. It enhances the narrative by allowing readers to experience the disparity between appearance and reality, often leading to a more profound thematic resonance and engaging the audience in a complex interplay of perception and expectation.

A story's cultural setting provides a framework for understanding characters' behaviors and moral choices by contextualizing their actions within the norms and values of their society . It reveals the local practices, discourses, and material expressions that influence characters' worldviews and ethical considerations. This setting allows readers to perceive the societal pressures and expectations shaping character decisions, thus providing insights into the cultural motivations behind their actions. By situating characters within a specific cultural backdrop, the narrative highlights the tensions between individual aspirations and social conformity, enriching character development and thematic exploration.

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