Plot

Plot is the literary element that describes the structure of a story. It shows arrangement of events and actions within a story.

Exposition: the start of the story, the situation before the action starts

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

Climax: the turning point, the most intense moment—either mentally or in action

Falling Action: all of the action which follows the climax

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

Plot Development

Exposition:

The mood and conditions existing at the beginning of the story. The setting is identified. The main characters with their

positions, circumstances and relationships to one another are established. The exciting force or initial conflict is

introduced. Sometimes called the “Narrative HOOK” this begins the conflict that continues throughout the story.

Rising Action:

The series of events, conflicts, and crises in the story that lead up to the climax, providing the progressive intensity, and

complicate the conflict.

Climax: The turning point of the story. A crucial event takes place and

from this point forward, the protagonist moves toward his inevitable end. The event may be either an action or a mental

decision that the protagonist makes.

Falling Action: The events occurring from the time of the climax to the end of the story. The main character may encounter more conflicts in

this part of the story, but the end is inevitable.

Resolution or Denouement: The tying up of loose ends and all of the threads in the story. The conclusion. The protagonist either emerges triumphant or

is defeated at this point.

Plot: ConflictConflict is the dramatic struggle between two forces in a story. Without conflict, there is no plot.

TWO MAIN TYPES OF CONFLICTS:

EXTERNAL OR

INTERNAL CONFLICT

External Conflict…

Definition:

A struggle between a character and an

outside force. This force may be another character, a group of characters, or nature

Examples:

1.Mean Girls: The Plastics vs. The Art freaks

2. Phineas and Ferb vs. Candace (You vs. Your Sibling)

3. The Dark Knight vs. Bane, The Joker, Gotham’s police force

Internal…Definition:A struggle within a

character’s mind. This kind of conflict happens when a character is dealing with opposing thoughts or feelings

**Many times a character is struggling with a question or problem they do not know the answer to**

Examples:

1.You admitting to needing help or doing it alone?

2.Play it safe or take a risk?

3.Run away or try to work out the problem?

4.The Dark Knight Rises: Return to save Gotham or let the city implode(destroy itself)

Different conflicts seen in plots

Character vs Nature

Character vs Society

Character vs Self

Character vs Character

Plot: Character vs. Character Conflict

Definition: The main character is in conflict with another character, human, animal, etc…

“The new one is the most beautiful of all; he is so young and pretty.” And the old swans bowed their heads before him.

Then he felt quite ashamed, and hid his head under his wing; for he did not know what to do, he was so happy, and yet not at all proud. He had been persecuted and despised for his ugliness, and now he heard them say he was the most beautiful of all the birds.

The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Anderson

Which line in this excerpt lets the reader know what type of conflict this is?

Plot: Character vs. Nature Conflict

Definition: The main character is in conflict with the forces of nature, which serve as the antagonist.

It´s a Truffula Seed.It´s the last one of all!

You´re in charge of the last of the Truffula Seeds.And Truffula Trees are what everyone needs.

Plant a new Truffula. Treat it with care.Give it clean water. And feed it fresh air.

Grow a forest. Protect it from axes that hack.Then the Lorax

and all of his friendsmay come back.

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

Which line in this excerpt lets the reader know what type of conflict this is?

Plot: Character vs. Society

Definition: The main character is in conflict with a larger group: a community, society, culture, etc.

“I’m tired of living in a hole,” said Jenny.“Let’s fight for freedom!” cried Bouncer. “We’ll be soldiers! Rough-riding Rowdies! I’ll be the general and commander-in-chief!”

The Island of the Skog by Steven Kellogg

Which line in this excerpt lets the reader know what type of conflict this is?

Plot: Character vs. Himself/Herself

Definition: The main character experiences some kind of inner conflict; they are fighting against themselves.

Finally, Sam’s father said, “Go to bed now. But before you go to sleep, Sam, tell yourself the difference between REAL and MOONSHINE.”

Sam, Bangs & Moonshine by Evaline Ness

Which line in this excerpt lets the reader know what type of conflict this is?

Which one of the four conflicts we discussed is an internal

conflict?

Why is it that one?

Good!!!!Highlight

CHARACTER vs. HIMSELF/HERSELF

in your notes