SHORT STORY UNIT

Plot Structure in Short Stories

PLOT – the series of related events that make up a story

-- Plot is what happens in a story

Plot Pyramid

This is the plot pyramid we will use for this class.

Plot Components

Exposition: the start of the story, the situation before the action starts, characters, setting, background information

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

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. Problems are solved

Conflict• the struggle between two forces in a

story. • Without conflict, there is no plot.• The action or struggle

Internal Conflict• Struggle that takes place within a

character’s mind– Needs, desires, emotions– Examples?

External Conflict• When a character struggles

against some outside force– Another character– Mother nature– Society

• Examples?