ENG 1141: Introduction to Creative Writing

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March 10, 2021

Fiction Writing Basics from Purdue OWL: Plot, Character, Conflict, and Point of View

Two sources on the Purdue Online Writing Lab (Purdue OWL) feature components of fiction geared to students in creative writing. Though many of these are elements you might have considered in literature courses, this resource looks at them from the perspective of the writer.

Purdue OWL Fiction Basics, Part 1 explores concepts of plot and character. From the resource:

Plot is what happens in a story, but action itself doesn’t constitute plot. Plot is created by the manner in which the writer arranges and organizes particular actions in a meaningful way. It’s useful to think of plot as a chain reaction, where a sequence of events causes other events to happen.

Plot is also inextricably linked to Character. Characters are the tools that a story’s plot often use to create empathy and to drive the plot forward. The resource also considers the different types of characters and how writers create them.

Purdue OWL Fiction Basics, Part 2 explores theme, conflict/resolution, and point of view. In short, theme is the meaning pursued by the writer though the meaning may or may not be explicit. Conflict is what creates tension for the story, the character, and if used well, the reader. Point of view explores the perspective a writer uses to present the story.

Article by Jennifer Sears / Fiction!, Lecture Notes

Professor Jennifer Sears-Pigliucci

Email: jsears@citytech.cuny.edu
OpenLab Portfolio: Professor Jennifer Sears 
https://www.citytech.cuny.edu/faculty/JSears

Note on Materials

The materials on this page are readings and lecture materials for Professor Sears’ ENG 1141 course. If you are my student, see the links on our specific class site for assignments. You will not be expected to read everything listed here, but feel free to scroll around and get inspired!

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The OpenLab at City Tech:A place to learn, work, and share

The OpenLab is an open-source, digital platform designed to support teaching and learning at City Tech (New York City College of Technology), and to promote student and faculty engagement in the intellectual and social life of the college community.

New York City College of Technology City University of New York

New York City College of Technology | City University of New York

Support

Help | Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Credits

Accessibility

Our goal is to make the OpenLab accessible for all users.

Learn more about accessibility on the OpenLab

Copyright

Creative Commons

  • - Attribution
  • - NonCommercial
  • - ShareAlike
Creative Commons

© New York City College of Technology | City University of New York