Identifying the Elements of A Plot Diagram

Adapted from S. Brooks

Driftwood Middle School

The Plot Triangle

Think of plot as climbing a literary mountain…

Plot Diagram

2

1

3

4

5

Plot (definition)

• Plot is…

– The sequence of events that make up a story.

– Every plot is made up of a series of incidents that are related to one another.

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).

Setting

• At the beach on a nice, warm, sunny day

•Time (when)•Place (where)

Main CharactersThere are many characters in any story. The main ones are the ones introduced in the expostion.

Two basic main characters: •The protagonist

• The “good guy”•The antagonist

• The “bad guy”

Between Batman and the

Joker, Batman is the

protagonist and the Joker is

the antagonist.

Main Conflict

• There are many conflicts in any story – most occurring during the rising action. The main conflict is the one between the protagonist and the antagonist. • Person v Person

• Batman v Joker• Person v Self

• Bruce Wayne v his fear of bats• Person v Nature

• Having to survive a tornado• Person v Society

• Jim wants to go to the beach but the rest of his family wants to go to Disney

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.

Putting It All Together1. Exposition

2. Rising Action

3. Climax

4. Falling Action

5. Resolution

Beginning of Story

Middle of Story

End of Story