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Historical Fiction

Historical (Realistic) Fiction

Definition:

A fictional story set in a recognizable period of history; characters and events are realistic, and historical events are necessary to the plot of the narrative.

Purposes:

• To illuminate today’s problems by examining those of other times
• To increase understanding of historical events
• To depict life honestly and accurately from what was learned from research accounts, interviews and oral history records
• To engage the reader in the lives of historical characters and events
• To engage the reader in a simulated historical time period
• Making history come alive by spinning intriguing stories around dates and facts

Characteristics:

• Narrative structure and elements: characters in historical settings who experience events and conflict when attempting to resolve problems
• Describes political or social events of the time/historical period as well as actual persons, events, backgrounds and settings
• Historical big ideas, lessons and themes
• Forms: prehistoric and traditional epics and sagas

Themes:

• Understandings about life that hold true in all or most circumstances and contexts (universal truths)
• Consequences of conflict and policy
• Political values and ideal systems
• Fallacies and human error
• Survival and perseverance
• Relationships
• Sportsmanship
• Change

Characters:

• Historical and fictional mix
• Credible, realistic, but fictional
• Realistic dialogue moves the plot along
• Realistic physical description, language, descriptions of characters
• Dialogue reveals the thoughts, feelings and values characteristic of the historical period
• Dialogue may reflect dialects related to place and era
• Requires prior research to ensure consistency with historical accuracy

Setting:

• Introduction “sets the stage” through a scenario (including setting, conflict, problem and goal)
• Opens with historical background information about events taking place before the story begins
• Based upon a specific historical time and place
• Time and place play a prominent role rather than serving as a backdrop
• Details are based upon information from documented records
• Locales change based upon the progression of historical events covered

Plot:

• Includes story events and characters’ reactions to the events, and roadblocks to resolution of the problem — all in keeping with historical records
• Includes variations of foreshadowing and flashback
• Events/conflicts historically consistent and authentic
• Ends with an historically accurate, fictionalized resolution

Author’s craft:

• Application of information from historical research
• Believable dialogue reflects authentic spirit, characters’ perspectives and thoughts, as well as, values of the times
• Authenticity of language
• Point of view often revealed through journals and memoirs
• Imagery
• Foreshadowing and flashback
• Depth of idea development, reflection and/or insight
• Elaborated, relevant, historically-based details

Grade Level Instructional Scope for COMPREHENDING the Genre and Text of Historical Fiction:

Grade Level Instructional Scope for COMPOSING the Genre and Text of Historical Fiction:

Booklists:

• Grade 5
• Grade 8

Access to the Documents:

Complete K-8 Genre Project
From the Michigan Department of Education

Complete K-8 Genre Booklist
From Kent Intermediate School District