© Khoa Ngoc Tran │ Dessau-Roßlau
Fictional texts
I. Summarising and outlining
a) How to write a summary
• first sentence → mention text type, title, author, publishing date, main theme of the text
• highlight ideas, facts or arguments that support the thesis
• use simple present
• what happens and how the events are connected
• leave out non-essential information (e. g. direct quotations, descriptive details, examples)
• use your own words
• link the sentences with connectives
• length of your text should be not more than one third of original text
• no own ideas and opinion
b) How to write an outline
• first sentence → mention text type, title, author, publishing date, main theme of the text
• highlight ideas, facts or arguments that support the thesis
• use simple present
• focus on required aspects mentioned in the task
• no need to follow structure of original text
• leave out non-essential information (e. g. direct quotations, descriptive details, examples)
• use your own words
• link the sentences with connectives
• length of your text should be not more than one third of original text
• no own ideas and opinion
II. Literary elements
a) Setting
• is the time described as well as the place where everything happens
b) Atmosphere
• the feeling a literary work creates in the reader (based on setting, background, objects)
c) Characters
• are individuals or figures (animals etc.) who take part in actions of the story
d) Conflict
• main problem that causes struggles in the story
e) Plot
• organised arrangement of actions (sequence) that makes up the story → conflicts are central
• develops in a chain of cause and effect
f) Action
• physical and visible events
• used to create tension and excitement in the story to keep the audience engaged
-1-
,© Khoa Ngoc Tran │ Dessau-Roßlau
g) Theme
• central idea or message of the story
h) Narrator
• is not the author → the author creates the narrator to tell the story
i) Tone
• author’s attitude towards subject matter or audience
j) Style
• use of language (word choice, sentence structure, figurative language)
III. Difference between fictional and non-fictional texts
a) Fictional texts
• imaginative narratives with fictional characters and unreal events
• purpose of entertaining the reader and creating an effect
• structured in exposition, chapters (with rising and falling actions) and ending (open or closed)
• examples: novel, short story, poem
b) Non-fictional texts
• factual and real-world narratives
• purpose of informing or educating the reader
• structured in logical way with paragraphs and headings
• examples: essay, news article, manual
IV. Fictional text types
a) Characteristics of a novel
1. Function
• fictional story → entertaining and sometimes educational purpose
2. Structure
• long, informative introduction or direct start “in the middle of things”
• order of the plot can be chronological or written with narrative techniques such as frame story,
flashbacks, back story or foreshadowing
• mainly separated into chapters
• cliffhangers (exciting endings)
• ending can be closed or open, predictable or unexpected
3. Focus
• detailed setting and detailed plot because length is unlimited
• numerous detailed characters with developments over time
• different narrative perspectives
• several events or locations
• long period of time possible (setting could be historical, contemporary or futuristic)
-2-
, © Khoa Ngoc Tran │ Dessau-Roßlau
4. Language and style
• language and style vary
• character development, dialogues, thoughts etc.
• descriptive sections, reported speech and direct speech
b) Characteristics of a short story
1. Function
• short glimpse of life-changing event
• important moment or feeling
2. Structure
• brief story and brief plot
• direct beginning and short exposition
• one main conflict with turning point near the end
3. Focus
• single event, single setting and short time span
• few main characters
4. Language and style
• one concise language and style choice → clear moral message
• often elliptical
• use of imagery and symbolism
c) Characteristics of poetry
1. Function
• entertaining purpose
• purpose of spreading a certain message
2. Structure
• lines and stanzas → rhythmic or rhyming pattern
3. Focus
• expression of emotions, ideas etc.
4. Language and style
• figurative language → sound, rhythm etc.
• use of stylistic devices → metaphor, symbolism, simile etc.
d) Characteristics of drama
1. Function
• performance-oriented
• entertaining purpose
• creating conflict and tension
• often social, political or moral message
-3-
Fictional texts
I. Summarising and outlining
a) How to write a summary
• first sentence → mention text type, title, author, publishing date, main theme of the text
• highlight ideas, facts or arguments that support the thesis
• use simple present
• what happens and how the events are connected
• leave out non-essential information (e. g. direct quotations, descriptive details, examples)
• use your own words
• link the sentences with connectives
• length of your text should be not more than one third of original text
• no own ideas and opinion
b) How to write an outline
• first sentence → mention text type, title, author, publishing date, main theme of the text
• highlight ideas, facts or arguments that support the thesis
• use simple present
• focus on required aspects mentioned in the task
• no need to follow structure of original text
• leave out non-essential information (e. g. direct quotations, descriptive details, examples)
• use your own words
• link the sentences with connectives
• length of your text should be not more than one third of original text
• no own ideas and opinion
II. Literary elements
a) Setting
• is the time described as well as the place where everything happens
b) Atmosphere
• the feeling a literary work creates in the reader (based on setting, background, objects)
c) Characters
• are individuals or figures (animals etc.) who take part in actions of the story
d) Conflict
• main problem that causes struggles in the story
e) Plot
• organised arrangement of actions (sequence) that makes up the story → conflicts are central
• develops in a chain of cause and effect
f) Action
• physical and visible events
• used to create tension and excitement in the story to keep the audience engaged
-1-
,© Khoa Ngoc Tran │ Dessau-Roßlau
g) Theme
• central idea or message of the story
h) Narrator
• is not the author → the author creates the narrator to tell the story
i) Tone
• author’s attitude towards subject matter or audience
j) Style
• use of language (word choice, sentence structure, figurative language)
III. Difference between fictional and non-fictional texts
a) Fictional texts
• imaginative narratives with fictional characters and unreal events
• purpose of entertaining the reader and creating an effect
• structured in exposition, chapters (with rising and falling actions) and ending (open or closed)
• examples: novel, short story, poem
b) Non-fictional texts
• factual and real-world narratives
• purpose of informing or educating the reader
• structured in logical way with paragraphs and headings
• examples: essay, news article, manual
IV. Fictional text types
a) Characteristics of a novel
1. Function
• fictional story → entertaining and sometimes educational purpose
2. Structure
• long, informative introduction or direct start “in the middle of things”
• order of the plot can be chronological or written with narrative techniques such as frame story,
flashbacks, back story or foreshadowing
• mainly separated into chapters
• cliffhangers (exciting endings)
• ending can be closed or open, predictable or unexpected
3. Focus
• detailed setting and detailed plot because length is unlimited
• numerous detailed characters with developments over time
• different narrative perspectives
• several events or locations
• long period of time possible (setting could be historical, contemporary or futuristic)
-2-
, © Khoa Ngoc Tran │ Dessau-Roßlau
4. Language and style
• language and style vary
• character development, dialogues, thoughts etc.
• descriptive sections, reported speech and direct speech
b) Characteristics of a short story
1. Function
• short glimpse of life-changing event
• important moment or feeling
2. Structure
• brief story and brief plot
• direct beginning and short exposition
• one main conflict with turning point near the end
3. Focus
• single event, single setting and short time span
• few main characters
4. Language and style
• one concise language and style choice → clear moral message
• often elliptical
• use of imagery and symbolism
c) Characteristics of poetry
1. Function
• entertaining purpose
• purpose of spreading a certain message
2. Structure
• lines and stanzas → rhythmic or rhyming pattern
3. Focus
• expression of emotions, ideas etc.
4. Language and style
• figurative language → sound, rhythm etc.
• use of stylistic devices → metaphor, symbolism, simile etc.
d) Characteristics of drama
1. Function
• performance-oriented
• entertaining purpose
• creating conflict and tension
• often social, political or moral message
-3-
