Plot

Conflict

Time and Sequence

Flashback

Foreshadowing

Suspense

Your Turn

How Do Authors Develop Time and Sequence?

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Plot

Plot is the series of related events that make up a story or drama.

• Each event triggers another event.

• Like links in a chain, each event hooks our curiosity and pulls us forward to the next event.

Plot

Plots are usually built in four basic parts.

1. Exposition

2. Complications

3. Climax

4. Resolution

event

event

event

Plot

• outlines basic situation

1 Exposition

• introduces characters and main conflicts

Paul wants to go to an out-of-state university, but his family can only afford to pay the tuition at a local college.

Plot

2 Complications

• consists of a chain of events

Paul goes to work on a nearby farm to earn extra money. There he meets Miranda, and the two start dating.

• takes place as the main character struggles to achieve a goal or solve a problem

Plot

3 Climax

• point of highest emotional intensity

• sometimes reveals the conflict’s outcome

Paul and Miranda argue about his leaving for university. Paul must choose to stay or go.

Plot

4 Resolution

• events following the climax

• any remaining issues are resolved

Paul decides to leave for university. Miranda makes plans to visit him and wishes him well.

Where in the plot would this scene occur?

• exposition

• complications

• climax

• resolution

Plot

Quick Check

Paul packed his last pair of jeans into his bag and carried it out to the car. His mom and dad—and Miranda—were waiting with sad smiles on their faces. Paul tried to smile back at them. He couldn’t. Instead, he placed his lucky bottle cap in Miranda’s hand and climbed into the car.

He was surprised to find a little box on the seat next to him. Inside it, on a cushion of cotton balls, was Miranda’s lucky letter charm—”M” for miracles.

[End of Section]

Conflict

Conflict is the struggle or clash between opposing characters, forces, or emotions.

external: firefighter vs. fire

internal: firefighter vs. his or her own fear

or

Conflicts may be

Conflict

An internal conflict is an emotional struggle that takes place within a character’s heart or mind.

Early Saturday morning, Grandma Hattie called Tasha and asked her to go shopping. Tasha hesitated, then said, “Sure, Grandma.” Inside, Tasha cringed. Her grandmother would want to spend all day with her. When was she supposed to hang out with her friends?

Conflict

An external conflict is created when a person or outside force prevents the main character from achieving his or her goal.

• two characters,

• a character and a group, or

• a character and something nonhuman.

External conflicts include struggles between

Is Sam’s conflict internal, or is it external?

Conflict

Quick Check

A day ago, Uncle Joe called with the news: “I have one extra ticket to tomorrow’s opening-day game!”

Sam and James immediately began arguing. James said he should get the ticket because he’s older. Sam said he should get the ticket because his birthday is only a week away.

Neither one is giving in. [End of Section]

Time and Sequence: Flashback

A flashback is a scene that interrupts the action of the plot to move backward and tell what happened at an earlier time.

PastPast

• provide background about the main events, and

• share a character’s past with us.

Present

Flashbacks

Although he disliked the smell and the slime, Martin posed joyfully, clutching his freshly caught fish.Present

PastPastAt his desk earlier that week, he’d doubted that he could enjoy a day at the river.

Time and Sequence: Flashback

Which sentence in this passage signals the beginning of a flashback?

Quick Check

Kera walked into the high school gym and smelled fresh flowers. She thought of her grandmother’s house.

When Kera was five, Nana gave her a basket to fill with fresh flowers. Kera hadn’t realized where her grandmother’s yard ended.

She picked most of her flowers from the neighbor’s yard.

[End of Section]

Time and Sequence: Flashback

Later Event

Foreshadowing is the use of clues to hint at what is going to happen later in a story.

Foreshadowing can make a story more exciting by increasing suspense.

ClueClue ClueClue ClueClue

ClueClue ClueClue

ClueClue

Time and Sequence: Foreshadowing

As I turn our doorknob, my sweaty palm slips on the metal. I peer through the window. There’s Mom laughing with Aunt Jackie at the kitchen table. I let out a long breath, stuffing my report card into my backpack. It’ll have to wait until later.

[End of Section]

In the following passage, notice how the clues build to create suspense.

The clues foreshadow a later event: Mom probably won’t be pleased with the narrator’s report card.

As I turn our doorknob, my sweaty palm slips on the metal. I peer through the window. There’s Mom laughing with Aunt Jackie at the kitchen table. I let out a long breath, stuffing my report card into my backpack. It’ll have to wait until later.

Time and Sequence: Foreshadowing

Suspense is the feeling of uncertainty or anxiety we feel about what is going to happen next in the plot.

Suspense is created when writers hint at what may happen.

??

Time and Sequence: Suspense

“Hey, Orlando, did you hear that?”

“What?” Orlando answered sleepily. He pulled the covers up, but his younger brother shook his shoulder.

“That!” Juan answered firmly.

Orlando sat upright, suddenly awake.

How is suspense built in the following passage?

The writer hints that something is about to happen to Orlando and Juan. The reader may feel uncertain or anxious about what will happen.

Time and Sequence: Suspense

How does this passage create suspense? What might the passage foreshadow?

Quick Check

The storm raged outside as Laura sat alone watching television. A crash of thunder made her jump. She shuddered as the electricity went out.

Laura nervously searched for a flashlight. The wooden floor creaked under the weight of each step.

I never should’ve stayed home alone, Laura thought. Just then, she heard the floor creak again—but this time, she wasn’t moving.

[End of Section]

Time and Sequence: Suspense

Your Turn

Choose a movie, television show, or story that is familiar to you.

Analyze Plot

• Draw a plot diagram like the one shown here.

• Add labels describing the sequence of events.

• Make sure you note the conflict, climax, and resolution.

Exposition

Complications

Resolution

Climax

The End