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Fiction-writing mode

January 21, 2023

A fiction-writing mode is a manner of writing with its own set of conventions regarding how, when, and where it should be used.

Fiction is a form of narrative, one of the four rhetorical modes of discourse. Fiction-writing also has distinct forms of expression, or modes, each with its own purposes and conventions. Currently, there is no consensus within the writing community regarding the number and composition of fiction-writing modes and their uses. Some writing modes suggested include action, dialogue, thoughts, summary, scene, description, background, exposition and transition.[1][2][3]

Overview

The concept goes back at least as far as Aristotle who, in Poetics, referred to narration and action as different modes or manner of representing something.[4] For many years, fiction writing was described as having two types: narration and dialogue. Evan Marshall, in The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing (1998) noted that writers should know what they are doing at all times. He described what he called fiction-writing modes—the types of writing of which all fiction is made. He listed five modes: action, summary, dialogue, feelings/thoughts, and background, each with its own set of conventions regarding how, when, and where it should be used.[5]

  • Jessica Page Morrell, in Between the Lines: Master the Subtle Elements of Fiction Writing (2006), mentioned six delivery modes: action, exposition, description, dialogue, summary, and transition.[6]
  • Peter Selgin, in By Cunning and Craft: Sound Advice and Practical Wisdom for Fiction Writers (2007), mentioned five writing methods: action, dialogue, thoughts, summary, and description.[7]
  • Mike Klaassen, in Fiction-Writing Modes: Eleven Essential Tools for Bringing Your Story to Life (2015), addressed eleven modes: action, summarization, narration, description, exposition, transition, conversation (dialogue), sensation, introspection, emotion, and recollection.[8]

Narration

Main article: Narration

In Poetics, Aristotle mentions narration as a mode, or manner of representing something.[9] As a fiction-writing mode, narration is how the narrator communicates directly to the reader. This contrasts with the use of the term "narration" as a rhetorical mode of discourse, where it has a broader meaning which encompasses all written fiction.

Description

Description is the fiction-writing mode for transmitting a mental image of the particulars of a story. Together with dialogue, narration, exposition, and summarization, description is one of the most widely recognized of the fiction-writing modes. Description is more than the amassing of details, it is bringing a scene to life by carefully choosing and arranging words and phrases to produce the desired effect.[10]

Exposition

Main article: Exposition (narrative)

Broadly defined, exposition is one of four rhetorical modes of discourse. Within the context of fiction-writing modes, exposition is used to convey information. Exposition may be used to add drama to a story, but too much exposition at one time may slow the pace of the story.[11]

Summarization

Summarization, or narrative summary, condenses events to convey, rather than to show, what happens within a story.[12] The "tell" in the axiom "Show, don't tell" is often in the form of summarization. Summarization may be used to:

  • connect parts of a story
  • report details of less important events
  • skip events that are irrelevant to the plot
  • convey an emotional state over an extended period of time[13]
  • vary the rhythm and texture of the writing[14]

The main advantage of summary is that it takes up less space than other fiction-writing modes.[15] Effective use of summarization requires a balance between showing and telling, action and summary, with rhythm, pace and tone playing a role.[16]

Introspection

Main article: Introspection

Introspection (also referred to as internal dialogue, interior monologue, or self-talk) is the fiction-writing mode used to convey the thoughts of a character, allowing the expression of normally unexpressed thoughts.[17] Introspection may also be used to:

Recollection

Recollection is the fiction-writing mode whereby a character remembers a detail or event. It plays a vital role in conveying backstory by allowing writers to convey information from earlier in the story or from before the beginning of the story. Although recollection is not widely recognized as a distinct mode of fiction-writing, it is a common tool. Recollection could be considered a subset of introspection, but its role in developing backstory separates it from the other thoughts of a character. Effective presentation of recollection has its own unique issues and challenges. For example, timing a recollection to avoid implausible-seeming memories (such as when a character must make a key decision) can be difficult, and should be prompted by a recent plot event.[20]

Sensation

Sensation is used to portray a character's perceptions. It can help draw the reader in by conveying the actual sensations of things comprising the story, breathing life into its physical world.[21][22] Since the reader has experienced only a portion of the sensations experienced by the character, the author aims to either provoke recall from the reader, or convey the experience,[23] drawing the reader in and maintaining interest in the story.[24]

Emotion

The fiction-writing mode of emotion conveys the feelings of the character, and is a vital component of creative writing.[25] Connecting the character to his or her own emotions allows the author to connect with the reader on an emotional level.[26][27]

Action

In Poetics, Aristotle refers to action as a mode, or manner of representing something.[28] Action is the demonstration of events as they are happening in a story,[29][30] and may help readers feel as if they were participating in the plot.[31]

Transition

Transitions in fiction are words, phrases, sentences, paragraphs, or punctuation that may be used to signal various changes in a story, including changes in time, location, point-of-view character, mood, tone, emotion, and pace.[32][33]

Categories

Fiction-writing modes may be classified into categories of modes with common features.

  • Interiority[34] includes modes that reflect the inner workings of the character's mind: introspection, recollection, emotion, and sensation.[35]
  • Exteriority includes modes that represent what is outside the character's mind: narration, description, exposition, and transition.[36]
  • Dialogue represents a character's speech: conversation.[37]
  • Activity includes modes used to portray story events: action and summarization.[38]

See also

Footnotes

  1. ^ Marshall, 1998, p. 143-65.
  2. ^ Morrell, 2006, p. 127.
  3. ^ Selgin, 2007, p. 38.
  4. ^ Aristotle, pp. 3, 5.
  5. ^ Marshall, pp. 143-165.
  6. ^ Morrell, p. 127.
  7. ^ Selgin, p. 38.
  8. ^ Klaassen, p. 3.
  9. ^ Aristotle, p. 5.
  10. ^ Polking, 1990, p. 106.
  11. ^ Kernen, 1999, p. 57.
  12. ^ Marshall, 1998, p. 144-6.
  13. ^ Marshall, 1998, p. 145.
  14. ^ Browne, King & Booth, 2004, p. 12.
  15. ^ Selgin, 2007, p. 31.
  16. ^ Card, 1999, p. 140-2.
  17. ^ Browne, King & Booth, 2004, p. 117.
  18. ^ Kress, 2003, p. 38.
  19. ^ Bickham, 1993, pp. 12-22, 50-8
  20. ^ Card, 1999, p. 113.
  21. ^ Rozelle, 2005, p. 76.
  22. ^ Morrell, 2006, p. 172.
  23. ^ Rozelle, 2005, p. 86.
  24. ^ Morrell, 2006, p. 173.
  25. ^ Reid, 1994, p. 105.
  26. ^ Kempton, 2004, p. 148.
  27. ^ Card, 1999, p. 74.
  28. ^ Aristotle, p. 5.
  29. ^ Marshall, 1998, p. 142.
  30. ^ Morrell, 2006, p. 127.
  31. ^ Rosenfeld, 2008, p. 173.
  32. ^ Morrell, 2006, p. 281-2.
  33. ^ Polking, 1990, p. 495.
  34. ^ Scofield, p. 6.
  35. ^ Klaassen, p. 11.
  36. ^ Klaassen, p. 147.
  37. ^ Klaassen, p. 85.
  38. ^ Klaassen, p. 63.

References

  • Aristotle (1996). Poetics. New York, NY: Penguin Books. ISBN 978-0-140-44636-4.
  • Bickham, JM (1993). Scene & Structure. Writer's Digest Books. ISBN 0-89879-551-6.
  • Browne R, King D, Booth G (2004). Self-editing for Fiction Writers: Edit Yourself Into Print. New York: Harper Resource. ISBN 0-06-054569-0.
  • Card, OS (1999). Characters & Viewpoint. Cincinnati, OH: Writer's Digest Books. ISBN 0-89879-307-6.
  • Kempton, G (2004). Dialogue: Techniques and Exercises for Crafting Effective Dialogue. Cincinnati, OH: Writer's Digest Books. ISBN 1-58297-289-3.
  • Kernen, R (1999). Building Better Plots. Cincinnati, OH: Writer's Digest Books. ISBN 0-89879-903-1.
  • Klaassen, M (2015). Fiction-Writing Modes: Eleven Essential Tools for Bringing Your Story to Life. Pennsauken, NJ: Bookbaby. ISBN 978-1-68222-100-6.
  • Kress, N (August 2003). "Make 'em think". Writer's Digest: 38.
  • Marshall, E (1998). The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing. Cincinnati, OH: Writer's Digest Books. ISBN 1-58297-062-9.
  • Morrell, JP (2006). Between the Lines: Master the Subtle Elements of Fiction Writing. Cincinnati, OH: Writer's Digest Books. ISBN 978-1-58297-393-7.
  • Polking, K (1990). Writing A to Z. Cincinnati, OH: Writer's Digest Books. ISBN 0-89879-435-8.
  • Reid, MI (1994). The Writer's Digest Guide to Good Writing. Cincinnati, OH: Writer's Digest Books. ISBN 0-89879-640-7.
  • Rosenfeld, JE (2008). Make a Scene: Crafting a Powerful Story One Scene at a Time. Cincinnati, OH: Writer's Digest Books. ISBN 978-1-58297-479-8.
  • Rozelle, R (2005). Write Great Fiction: Description & Setting. Cincinnati, OH: Writer's Digest Books. ISBN 1-58297-327-X.
  • Scofield, S (2007). The Scene Book: A Primer for the Fiction Writer. New York, NY: Penguin Books. ISBN 978-0-14-303826-9.
  • Selgin, P (2007). By Cunning & Craft: Sound Advice and Practical Wisdom for fiction writers. Cincinnati, OH: Writer's Digest Books. ISBN 978-1-58297-491-0.

External links

  •   Media related to Fiction-writing mode at Wikimedia Commons

January 21, 2023
fiction, writing, mode, fiction, writing, mode, manner, writing, with, conventions, regarding, when, where, should, used, fiction, form, narrative, four, rhetorical, modes, discourse, fiction, writing, also, distinct, forms, expression, modes, each, with, purp. A fiction writing mode is a manner of writing with its own set of conventions regarding how when and where it should be used Fiction is a form of narrative one of the four rhetorical modes of discourse Fiction writing also has distinct forms of expression or modes each with its own purposes and conventions Currently there is no consensus within the writing community regarding the number and composition of fiction writing modes and their uses Some writing modes suggested include action dialogue thoughts summary scene description background exposition and transition 1 2 3 Contents 1 Overview 2 Narration 3 Description 4 Exposition 5 Summarization 6 Introspection 7 Recollection 8 Sensation 9 Emotion 10 Action 11 Transition 12 Categories 13 See also 14 Footnotes 15 References 16 External linksOverview EditThe concept goes back at least as far as Aristotle who in Poetics referred to narration and action as different modes or manner of representing something 4 For many years fiction writing was described as having two types narration and dialogue Evan Marshall in The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing 1998 noted that writers should know what they are doing at all times He described what he called fiction writing modes the types of writing of which all fiction is made He listed five modes action summary dialogue feelings thoughts and background each with its own set of conventions regarding how when and where it should be used 5 Jessica Page Morrell in Between the Lines Master the Subtle Elements of Fiction Writing 2006 mentioned six delivery modes action exposition description dialogue summary and transition 6 Peter Selgin in By Cunning and Craft Sound Advice and Practical Wisdom for Fiction Writers 2007 mentioned five writing methods action dialogue thoughts summary and description 7 Mike Klaassen in Fiction Writing Modes Eleven Essential Tools for Bringing Your Story to Life 2015 addressed eleven modes action summarization narration description exposition transition conversation dialogue sensation introspection emotion and recollection 8 Narration EditMain article Narration In Poetics Aristotle mentions narration as a mode or manner of representing something 9 As a fiction writing mode narration is how the narrator communicates directly to the reader This contrasts with the use of the term narration as a rhetorical mode of discourse where it has a broader meaning which encompasses all written fiction Description EditDescription is the fiction writing mode for transmitting a mental image of the particulars of a story Together with dialogue narration exposition and summarization description is one of the most widely recognized of the fiction writing modes Description is more than the amassing of details it is bringing a scene to life by carefully choosing and arranging words and phrases to produce the desired effect 10 Exposition EditMain article Exposition narrative Broadly defined exposition is one of four rhetorical modes of discourse Within the context of fiction writing modes exposition is used to convey information Exposition may be used to add drama to a story but too much exposition at one time may slow the pace of the story 11 Summarization EditSummarization or narrative summary condenses events to convey rather than to show what happens within a story 12 The tell in the axiom Show don t tell is often in the form of summarization Summarization may be used to connect parts of a story report details of less important events skip events that are irrelevant to the plot convey an emotional state over an extended period of time 13 vary the rhythm and texture of the writing 14 The main advantage of summary is that it takes up less space than other fiction writing modes 15 Effective use of summarization requires a balance between showing and telling action and summary with rhythm pace and tone playing a role 16 Introspection EditMain article Introspection Introspection also referred to as internal dialogue interior monologue or self talk is the fiction writing mode used to convey the thoughts of a character allowing the expression of normally unexpressed thoughts 17 Introspection may also be used to enhance a story by allowing the character s thoughts to deepen characterisation increase tension widen the scope of a story 18 play a critical role in both scene and sequel 19 Recollection EditRecollection is the fiction writing mode whereby a character remembers a detail or event It plays a vital role in conveying backstory by allowing writers to convey information from earlier in the story or from before the beginning of the story Although recollection is not widely recognized as a distinct mode of fiction writing it is a common tool Recollection could be considered a subset of introspection but its role in developing backstory separates it from the other thoughts of a character Effective presentation of recollection has its own unique issues and challenges For example timing a recollection to avoid implausible seeming memories such as when a character must make a key decision can be difficult and should be prompted by a recent plot event 20 Sensation EditSensation is used to portray a character s perceptions It can help draw the reader in by conveying the actual sensations of things comprising the story breathing life into its physical world 21 22 Since the reader has experienced only a portion of the sensations experienced by the character the author aims to either provoke recall from the reader or convey the experience 23 drawing the reader in and maintaining interest in the story 24 Emotion EditThe fiction writing mode of emotion conveys the feelings of the character and is a vital component of creative writing 25 Connecting the character to his or her own emotions allows the author to connect with the reader on an emotional level 26 27 Action EditIn Poetics Aristotle refers to action as a mode or manner of representing something 28 Action is the demonstration of events as they are happening in a story 29 30 and may help readers feel as if they were participating in the plot 31 Transition EditTransitions in fiction are words phrases sentences paragraphs or punctuation that may be used to signal various changes in a story including changes in time location point of view character mood tone emotion and pace 32 33 Categories EditFiction writing modes may be classified into categories of modes with common features Interiority 34 includes modes that reflect the inner workings of the character s mind introspection recollection emotion and sensation 35 Exteriority includes modes that represent what is outside the character s mind narration description exposition and transition 36 Dialogue represents a character s speech conversation 37 Activity includes modes used to portray story events action and summarization 38 See also EditExposition Narrative mode Scene and sequel Style WritingFootnotes Edit Marshall 1998 p 143 65 Morrell 2006 p 127 Selgin 2007 p 38 Aristotle pp 3 5 Marshall pp 143 165 Morrell p 127 Selgin p 38 Klaassen p 3 Aristotle p 5 Polking 1990 p 106 Kernen 1999 p 57 Marshall 1998 p 144 6 Marshall 1998 p 145 Browne King amp Booth 2004 p 12 Selgin 2007 p 31 Card 1999 p 140 2 Browne King amp Booth 2004 p 117 Kress 2003 p 38 Bickham 1993 pp 12 22 50 8 Card 1999 p 113 Rozelle 2005 p 76 Morrell 2006 p 172 Rozelle 2005 p 86 Morrell 2006 p 173 Reid 1994 p 105 Kempton 2004 p 148 Card 1999 p 74 Aristotle p 5 Marshall 1998 p 142 Morrell 2006 p 127 Rosenfeld 2008 p 173 Morrell 2006 p 281 2 Polking 1990 p 495 Scofield p 6 Klaassen p 11 Klaassen p 147 Klaassen p 85 Klaassen p 63 References EditAristotle 1996 Poetics New York NY Penguin Books ISBN 978 0 140 44636 4 Bickham JM 1993 Scene amp Structure Writer s Digest Books ISBN 0 89879 551 6 Browne R King D Booth G 2004 Self editing for Fiction Writers Edit Yourself Into Print New York Harper Resource ISBN 0 06 054569 0 Card OS 1999 Characters amp Viewpoint Cincinnati OH Writer s Digest Books ISBN 0 89879 307 6 Kempton G 2004 Dialogue Techniques and Exercises for Crafting Effective Dialogue Cincinnati OH Writer s Digest Books ISBN 1 58297 289 3 Kernen R 1999 Building Better Plots Cincinnati OH Writer s Digest Books ISBN 0 89879 903 1 Klaassen M 2015 Fiction Writing Modes Eleven Essential Tools for Bringing Your Story to Life Pennsauken NJ Bookbaby ISBN 978 1 68222 100 6 Kress N August 2003 Make em think Writer s Digest 38 Marshall E 1998 The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing Cincinnati OH Writer s Digest Books ISBN 1 58297 062 9 Morrell JP 2006 Between the Lines Master the Subtle Elements of Fiction Writing Cincinnati OH Writer s Digest Books ISBN 978 1 58297 393 7 Polking K 1990 Writing A to Z Cincinnati OH Writer s Digest Books ISBN 0 89879 435 8 Reid MI 1994 The Writer s Digest Guide to Good Writing Cincinnati OH Writer s Digest Books ISBN 0 89879 640 7 Rosenfeld JE 2008 Make a Scene Crafting a Powerful Story One Scene at a Time Cincinnati OH Writer s Digest Books ISBN 978 1 58297 479 8 Rozelle R 2005 Write Great Fiction Description amp Setting Cincinnati OH Writer s Digest Books ISBN 1 58297 327 X Scofield S 2007 The Scene Book A Primer for the Fiction Writer New York NY Penguin Books ISBN 978 0 14 303826 9 Selgin P 2007 By Cunning amp Craft Sound Advice and Practical Wisdom for fiction writers Cincinnati OH Writer s Digest Books ISBN 978 1 58297 491 0 External links Edit Media related to Fiction writing mode at Wikimedia Commons Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Fiction writing mode amp oldid 1121882121, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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