Question

Part 1. Go through your writing notebook and choose an entry to write into a piece of flash fiction. This does not have to be a final draft, but it should include the elements we have discussed in this section, and it should be less than 250 words. Remember to include the following:

One or two characters
Setting
Some kind of climax
A beginning, middle, and end – with some kind of believable and satisfying resolution
Most important – be sure to show with dialogue, action, and sensory details
Consider experimenting with form — or even with breaking some rules — even those listed above … if you can justify the rule breaking. In other words, make sure you are breaking rules with thought and understanding of the effect it will have on your readers and include a note to your teacher explaining your decision.

Part 2. Choose one of the stories you read in this section. Write a brief paragraph describing how it shows typical elements of fiction: characterization, setting, plot, and theme.

Answer 1

Part 1:

As soon as the bus pulled away, leaving him alone in the dark, deserted street, his heart started racing. He knew he was in trouble. The group of boys who had been following him for the last few blocks had finally caught up. They pushed him against a wall, demanding his wallet. But he wouldn't go down without a fight. In the end, he managed to give them the slip and sprinted back to his apartment. He was safe for now, but he knew he couldn't let his guard down.

Part 2:

In "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, the story is set in a house in which the narrator is staying. Through her vivid descriptions, the reader is able to picture the room and the surrounding environment, which is meant to be a peaceful retreat but becomes a prison for the narrator. The protagonist, the narrator, is well-characterized through her inner thoughts, her interactions with her husband, and her obsession with the wallpaper. The plot involves the narrator's descent into madness and her eventual realization that her husband, who is a doctor, has been mistreating her. The theme of the story deals with the oppression of women in society and the stifling effect it can have on their mental health. Overall, the story demonstrates the key elements of fiction, including characterization, setting, plot, and theme.