STA.

BARBARA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Sta. Barbara, San Antonio, Nueva Ecija

Self-Learning Material in Creative Writing

for Quarter 1–Module 3 (Part 1):

Fiction Writing
Hello once again, dear learners! This week, I
will give you the first part of our new topic –
Fiction Writing. This material is lifted from two
sources I have cited in the last page and edited by me
to help you understand the topics better and provide
you with your very own lectures notes. Yes! This
material is yours to keep. No need to give it
back to me. You may insert and staple this material
in your Creative Writing notebook as reference. I just
hope that you will read it and do the activities
included in the Learning Activity Sheets part and
follow the instructions faithfully. 
Have a productive and safe week ahead!

About the Lesson:

Fiction writing is “an imaginative recreation
and re-creation of life.” (Pamintuan, et. al., 2013)
This implies that we write stories not only for
entertainment purposes, but also to give new life.
Fiction requires every writer to be highly imaginative
in order to achieve effective fiction elements. It must
have an interesting setting, believable characters, a
well-thought-out plot, a thrilling conflict, and
appropriate literary devices that will make the story
1
appealing to the readers.

Module Objectives:
By the end of the material, you are expected to:
a. distinguish fiction from non-fiction;
b. recognize the common types of fiction;
c. identify the various elements, techniques and
literary devices in fiction;
d. determine various literary devices and
techniques in fiction, and;
e. write short samples of fiction exploring its key
elements and devices.

Module Topics:
Fiction versus Non-Fiction
Common Types of Fiction
The Elements of Fiction
Literary Devices and Techniques in Fiction

References:
Vibal Group , Inc. Creative Writing. 2020
Villagracia, P. V. Quarter 1 – Module 3: Elements, Techniques, and
Literary Devices in Modes of Fiction. Department of
Education-Schools Division of Bataan. 2020

2
 What I Know
Read and answer the following questions
below. Encircle the letter of the corresponding
answer. Try not peek at the key to correction
before answering this part.

It is a literary genre that functions as a literary

1.

narrative that portrays imaginary situations.

a. fiction c. prose
b. poetry d. non-fiction

2. The author gives actual facts and data on these

literary pieces.
a. fiction c. prose
b. poetry d. non-fiction

3. What is the meaning of the Latin word “fictus”?

a. to form c. to invent
b. to be real d. to be informative

It refers to writing in verse with rhythm and

4.

rhyme characterized by a melodious tone.

a. fiction c. prose
b. poetry d. non-fiction

5.It is a brief artistic form of prose fiction which

focuses on a single main accident, involving one
or more character and is intended to produce a
single dominant impression.
a. legend c. sonnet
b. novel d. short story
3
6.These are about origins based on historical
people or events, handed down from the past. It
involves heroic characters or fantastic places.
a. legend c. sonnet
b. novel d. short story

7.It deals with stories about gods and goddesses

which has a deep symbolic meaning to the culture
they developed.
a. legend c. novel
b. myth d. parable

8.It is a story where the characters are animals

with human attributes; they may be called beast
tales; It is intended for children and to teach
them truth or moral.
a. fable c. myth
b. legend d. parable

9.It is a written literary piece presented on a stage

through the use of script and presence of actors.
a. legend c. short story
b. novel d. play

10. This refers to a prose narrative told for

amusement and instructional value.
a. fable b. legend
c. folktale d. myth

It is the framework of fiction, consists of related

11.

sequence of events, which through conflict

progress to a crisis or climax, which is the turning
point of the story, and denouement, where the
4
complication is solved and ends happily or
tragically.
a. characters c. setting
b. plot d. theme

It is the underlying main idea of a literary work,

12.

a philosophy or observation of life, a principle of

truth which the author conveys to the readers.
a. characters c. setting
b. plot d. theme

This refers to the time, pace and general

13.

environment in which a piece of fiction occurs.

Details of setting may either be stated or
suggested.
a. conflict c. setting
b. plot d. theme

These are the persons about whom the story is

14.

told; they influence the events and are influenced

by them.
a. characters c. setting
b. plot d. theme

It may be a clash between characters in the story or

15.

against other forces.

a. conflict c. setting
b. plot d. theme
15. A
14. A
13. C
12. D
11. B
10. C
9. D
8. A
7. B
6. A
5. D
4. B
3. A
2. D
1. A
Answer Key:

5
 What is It

Fiction vs. Non-Fiction

Fiction is created in the mind through your
imagination. Fiction is derived from the Latin
word “fictus” which means “to form”. You invent
stories and choose characters appropriate for the
story.
There are three main types of fiction:
short story, novella, and novel. The short story
is a condensed narrative usually set in one
particular time and place. It focuses on a
character, and his or her interests or feelings
under a certain situation. The novel is longer
due to its complex plot which is presented
through multiple chapters. A novel includes a
main plot and subplots. It also has more
characters than a short story. But both forms of
fictions have the same elements.
Fiction aims to entertain, educate, and
inspire you. Non-fiction is created based on
facts. It is creative like personal essay, scientific
paper, autobiography, diaries, journals,
memoirs, and romances. Non-fiction helps
you develop analytical and persuasive
capability.

6
 Non-fiction gives actual facts and
information. It means that non-fiction is not
invented.
Example:
Twelve Years a Slave (Solomon Northup)

Fiction is a collective term for literary

narratives that portray imaginary people caught
in imaginary situations. It is usually read for
pleasure and intended to expand or refine life
and quicken the senses.
Example:
Alice in Wonderland (Lewis Carrol)

Literature is divided into two types: prose

and poetry. Prose is ordinary language that
follows regular grammatical conventions, does
not contain a formal metrical structure and is
usually composed of sentences that form
paragraphs. On the other hand, poetry contains
lines and stanzas.
Below are some common fictional proses
with their corresponding descriptions:
1. Short story – it focuses on a single main

incident, involving one or more characters and

produce one dominant impression.
2. Novel – a long narrative prose which is divided

into chapters.
3. Legend – these are about origins based on

historical people or events, handed down from

the past.
7
 4. Myth – it deals with stories about gods and
goddesses.
5. Fable – It is a story where the characters are

animals with human attributes; they may be

called beast tales; It is intended for children
and to teach them truth or moral.
6. Parable – refers to stories which are Biblical in

nature.
7. Folktale – refers to a prose narrative for

amusement and instruction.

8. Play – also called drama that is performed on

stage.

The Elements of Fiction

1. Character – the characters are the people in
the story. They influence the events and are
influenced by them.
They can often be classified as flat or round.
A round character changes over the course of the
story. For example, a selfish character might become
kind and generous, or a timid character might
become brave. A flat character, on the other
hand, does not change traits until the end of the
story.
Examples of round character:
 Odysseus in Odyssey
 Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol

Examples of flat character:

 Emily in A Rose for Emily
 Grendel in Beowulf

8
 The main character in a story is called the
protagonist. This is the character around which
the plot revolves, and may also be the main point of
view character in the story. The antagonist is the
character who causes problems or conflict for the
protagonist. In some stories, this character could be
called the villain. Other characters may be
supporting characters or minor characters.

2. Setting – it tells when and where the events

in the story occurred. It refers to the time, pace
and general environment in which a piece of
fiction took place. In some stories, the setting
presents “local color” - this is indicative of the
scenery, language, practices and beliefs of the
people in a certain place.
It is a device used to help the readers in
creating a mental picture of the setting.
Sometimes the setting also affects the behavior
of the characters as well as the turn of events.

3. Conflict – refers to the problem or

complication that the characters must face. It may
be a clash between characters in the story or against
other forces. A story without a conflict is nothing. It
is what adds color to the narrative. Some stories have
only one main conflict, while other stories have more
than one type of conflicts.
Types of Conflict
a. Man vs. Himself
It is when a character experiences inner
or internal struggle or is in conflict with himself.
9
He or she must make difficult decisions or is torn
between two forces. Oftentimes, the character
having an inner conflict is destroyed by his or her
own doing. Characters who surpass this type of
conflict can be considered strong characters.

b. Man vs. Man

This is a type of conflict which shows two
characters pitted against each other. This may be
a fight between the protagonist and the
antagonist in the story. The characters involved in
the conflict are extremely opposite in terms of
behavior, personality traits, beliefs and
principles.

c. Man vs. Society

In this type of conflict, the character is
against a group of people or society itself. This
happens when the character has done something
which has greatly offended the society he or she is
a part of. Conflict is also shown when the
character cannot adjust to the ways of the people
around him or her.

d. Man vs. Nature

It is when the character may have to deal
with natural disasters such as storms or
earthquakes. Or they may find themselves in a
harsh environment such as the middle of the
ocean or desert.

10
 e. Man vs. Supernatural
This is when the hero or protagonist must
face extraordinary creatures such as gods or
monsters before he can achieve his goal.

4. Plot – refers to the events – often in

sequence – which portray characters facing
conflicts. Some plots do not follow the regular
structure of a story. Authors may use flashbacks to
highlight previous events or foreshadowing to
create suspense. Based on Freytag‟s pyramid, a good
plot must have the following parts:

Climax

Exposition Denouement

Parts of a Plot
1. Exposition: The first part of your story
must introduce some characters and present
inciting incidents that may start to change the
life of the characters. Inciting events also deviate
from their conventional flow and are the
beginning point of the story.
2. Rising Action: Complicating factors are
introduced to the conflict. The complication
increases and the tension becomes very clear to
the readers.
11
3. Climax: This is the turning point of the story.
In some stories, the hero and the villain meet
face to face for a fight. In other stories, the
protagonist is caught in an unconquerable or
difficult situation. The previous events and
choices of the characters have led to an
unavoidable outcome.
4. Falling Action: After reaching the highest
point of the story, the tension will gradually
decrease. This part will provide clues as to the
ultimate resolution of the story.
5. Denouement: This is the concluding part of
the story. It shows what happens to the
protagonist and the other characters involved in
the conflict. It presents whether the goals of the
hero were achieved or not. It gives the resolution
of the story; it may be favorable, unfavorable or
ambiguous.

Common Literary Devices and Techniques

for Structuring a Story’s Plot

a. En medias res is a technique where the

story begins in the middle. Since there is no
exposition, the characters, setting and conflict are
presented through another device known as
flashback.

b. Red herring is a device used to divert the

attention of the readers from the twist in
the plot. It is done to keep the tension in the
course of events.
12
c. Plot twist is an unexpected turn of events
or revelation about the previous events.

d. Reverse chronology is a literary technique

where the story is told in reverse – the ending
is presented at the beginning and the
succeeding events lead to the exposition part.

Common Literary Devices and Techniques

for Illustrating Vision

a. Foreshadowing gives premonition and clues

to the future. It is also referred to as “flash-
forward”.

b. Prolepsis is also a kind of flash-forward, but

it shows incidents that will happen in the future.

c. Flashback is a device used to present

previous events. These events are reflective of the
character‟s memories, and are often used to give
clear explanations to current events, origins, and
background.

d. Dream sequence is a technique where,

through the character‟s dreams, the author can
show events that happened in a different period
of time.

13
 Common Literary Devices and Techniques
for the Ending of a Story

a. Twist ending gives the reader an unexpected

ending which may leave readers disappointed or
dissatisfied.

b. Happy ending shows an ending favorable to

the hero; the hero ends up with his love interest
or returns home victorious.

c. Poetic justice is also happy ending with

emphasis on the good being rewarded and the
bad being punished.

d. Cliffhanger is a sudden ending or is open-

ended and without a resolution. It shows the
characters trapped in a new circumstance. It is
often used in thriller stories.

e. Deus ex machina was introduced by the

ancient Greeks and was extensively used in their
theater. It is when the problem is resolved
through a „god‟ or a character not previously
involved in the story. This character suddenly
appears and solves the problem, thus creating a
preferred ending.

5. Theme – is the underlying main idea of a

literary work, a philosophy or observation of
life, a principle of truth which the author
conveys to the readers.

14