Identifying the Elements of A Plot Diagram

Take Notes!

Plot Line/Diagram

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1

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Climax: The turning point. The most intense moment (either mentally or in action.

Rising Action: the series of conflicts and crisis in the story that lead to the climax.

Exposition: The start of the story. The way things are before the action starts.

Falling Action: all of the action which follows the Climax.

Resolution: The conclusion, the tying together of all of the threads.

Plot

Plot is the literary element that describes the structure of a story.

A plot line/diagram shows an arrangement of events and actions within a story.

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. Most importantly, we are introduced to the main conflict (main problem).

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 resolved.

5. Resolution

• Also called denouement.

• The story comes to a reasonable ending.

Putting It All Together1. Exposition

2. Rising Action

3. Climax

4. Falling Action

5. Resolution

Beginning of Story

Middle of Story

End of Story

Setting

• The time and the place of the story

• Introduced in the exposition

Characters

• People, animals, objects

• The author uses characterization to add to the development of the story.

Conflict• The main problem/issue • Usually introduced in the rising action• Man vs. Man (external conflict)• Man vs. Nature (external conflict)• Man vs. Himself (internal conflict)• Man vs. Society (external conflict)

Theme

• A central idea…otherwise known as the moral of the story.

• Typically deals with an abstract concept that is made concrete through representation in character, action, and image.

Theme (continued)

• Cannot be a single word, subject, or activity.

• Must be a statement that covers the work in general.

– “Group hysteria can lead people to do things they would not ordinarily do” is a theme from Arthur Miller’s The Crucible.