Analyze the Purpose and
Characteristics of Prose
Prose is any writing that is not poetry.
Two categories of prose are fiction and
nonfiction.
Fiction is creative writing about invented
characters and events.
The purpose of fiction is usually to
entertain, but it may also express thoughts
and feelings, or intend to persuade.
Historical Fiction
Historical fiction combines real and
fictional people and events.
Historical fiction helps readers understand how
people lived during an earlier time and helps
the reader look at historical events from a new
and interesting perspective.
Historical Settings & Events
Historical Characters
Imaginary Settings & Events
Imaginary Characters
Short Story
The elements of short stories...
1. SETTING: time and place of the story's action.
2. CHARACTERS: persons, animals, or things that take
part in the story.
3. PLOT: conflict, or the problem introduced at the
beginning of the story, the sequence of events set into
motion by the conflict, and the resolution, or what
happens when the problem is solved.
4. THEME: the message about life that the story
communicates.
More Fictional Prose
MYTHS typically portray gods and goddesses
and other supernatural beings interacting with
humans.
LEGENDS are stories based on historical
figures or events that have been handed down
from generation to generation.
FOLKTALES are traditional stories that often
present colorful explanations for natural
phenomena.
More Fictional Prose
TALL TALES are exaggerated folktales with
outlandish situations.
FABLES frequently teach a lesson
PLAYS are stories to be acted out, or
performed, on the stage. Actors play
characters to tell the story. Some plays are
tragedies or comedies.
Nonfiction Prose
Nonfiction prose is about real people, events,
and things. Its purpose is to inform, entertain,
inspire, or express opinions.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY: the story of a person's life
written by the person who lived it.
BIOGRAPHY: the life story of a person that is
written by someone else.
ESSAY: examines a single subject from one point
of view.
Prose Review
Fiction: (not true)
Short Story, Novella, Novel
Tall Tales, Fables, Plays
Nonfiction:
Biography, Autobiography, Essay
What is the purpose of an essay?
Humorous Short Story
You are going to write a humorous short story
with an animal as the main character.
Some animals that might serve as inspiration for
a humorous story are a pig, iguana, coyote, or
spider. Can you think of others?
You will work with a partner.
Copy the STORY MAP into your notes so you
make sure to include setting, characters, plot, and
theme.