ELEMENTS OF THE PLOT

The notes….

The plot is the action of the narrative.

Narratives are organized in this way:

1. Exposition: start of the story

2. Rising action: problem is stated or revealed in this part of the story

3. Climax: high point of the story tension is greatest here, the problem is at its worst and may start to be solved)

4. Falling action: the tension lessens, and the problem may be solved at this point

5. Resolution: the reader learns the outcome of the story, or the end of the story

PLOT

Plot Diagram

2

1

3

4

5

1. Exposition This usually occurs at the beginning of a

short story. Here the characters are introduced. We also learn about the setting of the story.

WHERE and

WHENa story takes place

Has to do with locations, time periods, time of day, seasons of the year, weather etc.

Setting

-the feelings or emotions in the reader caused by the story.

Moodalso referred to as tone

Usually details in the setting will help establish the mood of a story.

the main character in the story, or the one most important to the action of a story

is also sometimes referred to as the ‘hero’ in a story

Red Riding Hood Three Little Pigs

Harry Potter

PROTAGONIST:

The force working against the main character in the story

Note: The antagonist does not have to be a person (human)

The Big Bad Wolf Some uncontrollable force or event in life

ANTAGONIST:

2. Rising Action This part of the story begins

to develop the conflict(s). A building of interest or suspense occurs.

3. Climax This is the turning point of the

story. Usually the main character comes face to face with a conflict. The main character will change in some way.

4. Falling Action All loose

ends of the plot are tied up. The conflict(s) and climax are taken care of.

5. Resolution The story comes to a reasonable ending.

The problem or situation around which the plot of a fiction narrative revolves. There are 5 types of conflict….can

we name any?

CONFLICT

The main character has a problem with another character

Note: Don’t take that literally. The other character does not necessarily have to be human.

CONFLICT:Man v/s man

The main character has problem deciding what to do or what to think

CONFLICT:Man v/s Self

The main character has a problem with the beliefs, laws, or ways of a group

CONFLICT:Man v/s Society

The main character has a problem with a force of nature

Examples: a blizzard a tornado on a small boat in rough waters lost in a desert

CONFLICT:Man v/s Nature

The main character has a problem over which he or she doesn’t seem to have any control

Examples: A serious injury An illness A mental or physical handicap

CONFLICT: Man v/s Fate

- the underlying message that the author wants the reader to understand

It is what that the writer wants the reader to understand most about the story.

Possible themes in any story: Whatever you do, do it well

Always be prepared- Points to remember about theme:

- It will not be directly stated in the story.- You usually won’t know the theme until After Reading,

when you’re in the Pause and Reflect stage of the Reading Process.

Theme