Story Elements Test Review

Plot Diagram

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Plot (definition)• Plot is the organized

pattern or 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).

2. Inciting Incident

• The Inciting Incident also occurs at the beginning of the story. This scene sets the plot in motion and is usually tied in with the conflict (main problem) of the story.

3. Rising Action• This part of the story is a series of events,

connected to the conflict. These events build suspense and interest in the story.

4. Climax• This is the turning point of the story. This part of the

story answers the “BIG QUESTION.” Usually the main character comes face to face with the main conflict, which causes him/her to change or grow in some way.

5. Falling Action• All loose ends of the plot

are coming together. The climax has passed, and the end of the story is approaching.

6. Resolution• The story comes to a

reasonable ending. Another name for this part is Denouement, which is French and means, “the final part of a narrative, in which the parts of the plot are drawn together and matters are resolved.”

Putting It All Together1. Exposition

2. Inciting Incident

3. Rising Action

4. Climax

5. Falling Action

6. Resolution

Beginning of Story

Middle (or near the end) of Story

End of Story

Let’s ReviewWhat is the exposition?

What is the inciting incident?

What is the rising action?

What is the climax?

What is the falling action?

What is the resolution?

What is a subplot?

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

Plot: Types of Conflict

Character vs Nature

Character vs Society

Character vs Self

Character vs Character

Plot: Character vs. Character Conflict

This type of conflict finds the main character in conflict with another character, human or not human.

“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

Plot: Character vs. Nature Conflict

This type of conflict finds the main character 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

Plot: Character vs. Society ConflictThis type of conflict has the main character 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

Plot: Character vs. Self Conflict

In this type of conflict, the main character experiences some kind of inner conflict.

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

The way the author chooses to tell a story can be either through FIRST person or THIRD person point of view.

Using FIRST person makes the writing very personal and engages the reader closely with the events.

Using THIRD person generally puts some distance between the reader and the writer.

A story told from the first person point of view involves the narrator as part of the story, and usually features the following pronouns: I, me, mine, our, we, us, etc.

Third person point of view is told by a narrator who is not part of the story and generally uses pronouns such as: he, she, it, they, them, him, her, its, etc.

Point of View• First Person Point of View- a

character from the story is telling the story; uses the pronouns “I” and “me”

• Third Person Point of View- an outside narrator is telling the story; uses the pronouns “he”, “she”, “they”

Types of Third-Person Point of View

• Third-Person Limited– The narrator knows

the thoughts and feelings on only ONE character in a story.

• Third-Person Omniscient– The narrator knows the

thoughts and feeling of ALL the characters in a story.

ThemeThemeThe theme is the central, general

message, the main idea, the controlling topic about life or people the author wants to get across through a literary work

To discover the theme of a story, think big. What big message is the author trying to say about the world in which we live?

What is this story telling me about how life works, or how people behave?

The Theme is also • the practical lesson ( moral) that we learn

from a story after we read it. The lesson that teaches us what to do or how to behave after you have learned something from a story or something that has happened to you.

Example: The lesson or teaching of the story is be careful when you’re offered something for nothing.