CHARACTER, SETTING AND PLOT

CHARACTER, SETTING AND PLOT • Telling a story is not something that happens by accident. Even a true- life story has to be ‘shaped’ with an interesting beginning, a ‘page-turning’ development, and a clear and satisfying ending. • Compare the two stories that follow. Which one is more effective?

STORY 1 When I was at school I used to sit at the back of the class. I sat there so I could do stuff. I got away with lots of stuff by sitting at the back of the class where the teacher couldn’t see me properly. I liked to make people laugh when I felt like it. A lot of people did laugh.

STORY 2 The back desk at school was the best. Why? Because that’s where I could sit and plan my plots of mischief. It was so cool. I remember sitting behind Wayne, this huge kid with a really big head and broad shoulders. He was the best shield a guy like me could have wished for. There was no way the teacher could see past him to me. Perfect. I used to lob water balloons and itchy-itchy balls into the laps of the girls from my desk and they would think it was Wayne! It was a scream to see Wayne look up from his books and just say, ‘What? What did I do? One day, I…….

Plot • The sequence of events that make up a story. The plot serves as a skeleton on which the other elements of a story (characters, setting, point of view, etc.) hang. • A plot usually involves the unfolding and solving of a conflict. Plots can be simple or complex.

Plot Components Climax: the turning point, the most intense moment—either mentally or in action Rising Action: the series of events and conflicts in the story that lead to the climax Falling Action: all of the action which follows the climax Exposition: the start of the story, before the action starts. Introduces the characters and setting. Resolution: the conclusion, the tying together of all of the threads

Put the story in order by numbering the events and identifying each part: 1) exposition, 2) rising action, 3) climax, 4) falling action, and 5) resolution. A) Rainsford is up in a tree. The dogs are close on his trail. General Zaroff’s giant assistant is beside him. Rainsford must decide now what he will do. He plunges into the sea. B) A mysterious island in the middle of the sea is described to the reader. The reader is introduced to Rainsfod, a man shipwrecked on the island, and General Zaroff, the island’s owner and sole resident, with the exception of his large and brutish servant, Ivan. C) Rainsford and General Zaroff discuss hunting at dinner. General Zaroff hints that he is bored of hunting animals and has begun to hunt humans. Rainsford is to be his next prey. D) Zaroff goes off to bed. When he arrives in his room, “A man who had been hiding in the curtains of the bed, was standing there.” The general is shocked to see that Rainsford is still alive, but thrilled that the adventure continues. “On guard, Rainsford,” he says. And in the end, the reader is informed, “He had never slept in a better bed, Rainsford decided.” E) Zaroff, assuming Rainsford has drowned, returns home and makes himself a nice dinner.

Put the story in order by numbering the events and identifying each part: 1) exposition, 2) rising action, 3) climax, 4) falling action, and 5) resolution. A) Rainsford is up in a tree. The dogs are close on his trail. General Zaroff’s giant assistant is beside him. Rainsford must decide now what he will do. He plunges into the sea. B) A mysterious island in the middle of the sea is described to the 1 reader. The reader is introduced to Rainsfod, a man shipwrecked on the island, and General Zaroff, the island’s owner and sole resident, with the exception of his large and brutish servant, Ivan. C) Rainsford and General Zaroff discuss hunting at dinner. General Zaroff hints that he is bored of hunting animals and has begun to hunt humans. Rainsford is to be his next prey. D) Zaroff goes off to bed. When he arrives in his room, “A man who had been hiding in the curtains of the bed, was standing there.” The general is shocked to see that Rainsford is still alive, but thrilled that the adventure continues. “On guard, Rainsford,” he says. And in the end, the reader is informed, “He had never slept in a better bed, Rainsford decided.” E) Zaroff, assuming Rainsford has drowned, returns home and makes himself a nice dinner.

Put the story in order by numbering the events and identifying each part: 1) exposition, 2) rising action, 3) climax, 4) falling action, and 5) resolution. A) Rainsford is up in a tree. The dogs are close on his trail. General Zaroff’s giant assistant is beside him. Rainsford must decide now what he will do. He plunges into the sea. B) A mysterious island in the middle of the sea is described to the 1 reader. The reader is introduced to Rainsfod, a man shipwrecked on the island, and General Zaroff, the island’s owner and sole resident, with the exception of his large and brutish servant, Ivan. C) Rainsford and General Zaroff discuss hunting at dinner. General 2Zaroff hints that he is bored of hunting animals and has begun to hunt humans. Rainsford is to be his next prey. D) Zaroff goes off to bed. When he arrives in his room, “A man who had been hiding in the curtains of the bed, was standing there.” The general is shocked to see that Rainsford is still alive, but thrilled that the adventure continues. “On guard, Rainsford,” he says. And in the end, the reader is informed, “He had never slept in a better bed, Rainsford decided.” E) Zaroff, assuming Rainsford has drowned, returns home and makes himself a nice dinner.

Put the story in order by numbering the events and identifying each part: 1) exposition, 2) rising action, 3) climax, 4) falling action, and 5) resolution. A) Rainsford is up in a tree. The dogs are close on his trail. 3General Zaroff’s giant assistant is beside him. Rainsford must decide now what he will do. He plunges into the sea. B) A mysterious island in the middle of the sea is described to the 1 reader. The reader is introduced to Rainsfod, a man shipwrecked on the island, and General Zaroff, the island’s owner and sole resident, with the exception of his large and brutish servant, Ivan. C) Rainsford and General Zaroff discuss hunting at dinner. General 2Zaroff hints that he is bored of hunting animals and has begun to hunt humans. Rainsford is to be his next prey. D) Zaroff goes off to bed. When he arrives in his room, “A man who had been hiding in the curtains of the bed, was standing there.” The general is shocked to see that Rainsford is still alive, but thrilled that the adventure continues. “On guard, Rainsford,” he says. And in the end, the reader is informed, “He had never slept in a better bed, Rainsford decided.” E) Zaroff, assuming Rainsford has drowned, returns home and makes himself a nice dinner.

Put the story in order by numbering the events and identifying each part: 1) exposition, 2) rising action, 3) climax, 4) falling action, and 5) resolution. A) Rainsford is up in a tree. The dogs are close on his trail. 3General Zaroff’s giant assistant is beside him. Rainsford must decide now what he will do. He plunges into the sea. B) A mysterious island in the middle of the sea is described to the 1 reader. The reader is introduced to Rainsfod, a man shipwrecked on the island, and General Zaroff, the island’s owner and sole resident, with the exception of his large and brutish servant, Ivan. C) Rainsford and General Zaroff discuss hunting at dinner. General 2Zaroff hints that he is bored of hunting animals and has begun to hunt humans. Rainsford is to be his next prey. D) Zaroff goes off to bed. When he arrives in his room, “A man who had been hiding in the curtains of the bed, was standing there.” The general is shocked to see that Rainsford is still alive, but thrilled that the adventure continues. “On guard, Rainsford,” he says. And in the end, the reader is informed, “He had never slept in a better bed, Rainsford decided.” 4E) Zaroff, assuming Rainsford has drowned, returns home and makes himself a nice dinner.

Put the story in order by numbering the events and identifying each part: 1) exposition, 2) rising action, 3) climax, 4) falling action, and 5) resolution. A) Rainsford is up in a tree. The dogs are close on his trail. 3General Zaroff’s giant assistant is beside him. Rainsford must decide now what he will do. He plunges into the sea. B) A mysterious island in the middle of the sea is described to the 1 reader. The reader is introduced to Rainsfod, a man shipwrecked on the island, and General Zaroff, the island’s owner and sole resident, with the exception of his large and brutish servant, Ivan. C) Rainsford and General Zaroff discuss hunting at dinner. General 2Zaroff hints that he is bored of hunting animals and has begun to hunt humans. Rainsford is to be his next prey. D) Zaroff goes off to bed. When he arrives in his room, “A man who had been hiding in the curtains of the bed, was standing 5there.” The general is shocked to see that Rainsford is still alive, but thrilled that the adventure continues. “On guard, Rainsford,” he says. And in the end, the reader is informed, “He had never slept in a better bed, Rainsford decided.” 4E) Zaroff, assuming Rainsford has drowned, returns home and makes himself a nice dinner.

FICTIONAL STORIESHave you ever read a story that stays with you long after you finished reading it? Or where you can’t wait to find out what happens next? The light faded slowly from the screen even as Santron tried frantically to reset the controls. It was no good. Something was jamming the signal. At this rate, the entire ship would be blacked out within….Santron checked the time dial. Three minutes at most. Santron frowned. Three minutes to fix the problem or face obliteration! When the sensor buzzed overhead, Santron swallowed. If ever she needed to call on her Frontline Trooper skills to get her out of trouble it was now……

This is only one type of story, - a ‘cliffhanger’ or thriller style of narrative. But all successful stories ‘hook’ the reader. Think back to the novels/short stories you have read and try to determine why you enjoyed reading some as opposed to others. What was it about the character/s, the story itself, or the imaginative world the author created?

Definitions • Foreshadowing: when an author mentions or hints at something that will happen later in the story

Hint • Try breaking the word FORESHADOWING apart. • FOREmeans ahead. • ASHADOWis a glimpse of something without the complete details.

Example of Foreshadowing "NOW, my dears," said old Mrs. Rabbit one morning, "you may go into the fields or down the lane, but don't go into Mr. McGregor's garden: your Father had an accident there; he was put in a pie by Mrs. McGregor." ~ Beatrix Potter from The Tale of Peter Rabbit ~ What do you think might happen next?

Example of Foreshadowing Sam wished he could rid himself of the sick feeling in his gut that told him something terrible was going to happen, and happen soon. What do you think might happen next?

Definitions • Flashback: when an author refers back to something that already took place in the story

Hint • Now try breaking the word FLASHBACK apart. • FLASH: a quick glimpse. • BACK: a look back in the story at something that previously happened.

Flashback • Flashback can appear as character memories or dreams, or in dialogue or narration. • Flashbacks provide background information that clarifies current action in the story.

An Example… • And now you will see portions from the well known children’s story Little Red Riding Hood.

Little Red Riding Hood • Once upon a time, there was a little girl who lived with her mother. Her mother asked her to take her old and lonely grandmother some food one day."Don't stop along the way. Go straight to your Grandma's house and back. Don't talk to any strangers and watch out for the wolf in the woods! Now get along!" Foreshadowing

Foreshadowing • The first set of underlined words is an example of foreshadowing. Little Red Riding Hood’s mother is warning her about the wolf in the woods, which hints at what may happen next.

Little Red Riding Hood • While she was walking through the woods, a wolf was walking past her. "I bet I could convince her to take the long way. Then I could get to her grandmother's house first and trick her into thinking that I was her grandma. That way I could have her and her grandma for a large feast,” he thought.

Little Red Riding Hood • The wolf went up to Little Red Riding Hood and told her that he knew a shortcut. Little Red Riding Hood thought back to what her mother told her. “Don’t talk to any strangers and watch out for the wolf in the woods!” But it was too late, she had already listened to the wolf’s directions. Flashback

Flashback • The second set of underlined words is an example of flashback. Little Red Riding Hood is thinking back to something that happened earlier in the story.

Little Red Riding Hood • Most know how the rest of the story ends. Little Red Riding Hood and her grandma are saved from the wolf. Hopefully you can understand foreshadowingandflashbacknow.

Nervous Anxious Curious Afraid Excited Raise your hand to describe how you feel 5 minutes before you are able to open your report card.

Nervous Anxious Curious Afraid Excited Raise your hand to describe how you feel 5 minutes before you are able to open your report card. suspense

Suspense Suspense– anxious curiosity about what will happen next in the storysome Genres that are suspenseful:some short storieshorrorthrillersmysteriesetc.

Tools of Suspense • “Tools” of suspense include: • mysterious circumstances such as locked doors and hidden rooms; • mysterious characters such as monstrous creatures and peculiar-acting strangers; • dark settings including thunderstorms and candle-lit rooms; • difficult decisions such as whom to marry or whether to keep a secret; and • unresolved issues such as whether or not a character will survive an illness or live through a perilous predicament such as hanging on the edge of a cliff.

Practice A. Mysterious circumstances B. Mysterious characters C. Dark setting D. Difficult decision E. Unresolved issue ____ 1) He sat alone in the darkness, gazing at the dying fire, and seeing faces in it. ____ 2) The last face was so horrible and so simian that he gazed at it in amazement. ____ 3) “I don’t know what to wish for, and that’s a fact,” he said slowly. ____ 4) As I wished, it twisted in my hand like a snake. ____ 5) “Is anything the matter? She asked breathlessly. “Has anything happened to Herbert? What is it? What is it?

Practice A. Mysterious circumstances B. Mysterious characters C. Dark setting D. Difficult decision E. Unresolved issue __C_1) He sat alone in the darkness, gazing at the dying fire, and seeing faces in it. ____ 2) The last face was so horrible and so simian that he gazed at it in amazement. ____ 3) “I don’t know what to wish for, and that’s a fact,” he said slowly. ____ 4) As I wished, it twisted in my hand like a snake. ____ 5) “Is anything the matter? She asked breathlessly. “Has anything happened to Herbert? What is it? What is it?

Practice A. Mysterious circumstances B. Mysterious characters C. Dark setting D. Difficult decision E. Unresolved issue __C_1) He sat alone in the darkness, gazing at the dying fire, and seeing faces in it. __B_2) The last face was so horrible and so simian that he gazed at it in amazement. ____ 3) “I don’t know what to wish for, and that’s a fact,” he said slowly. ____ 4) As I wished, it twisted in my hand like a snake. ____ 5) “Is anything the matter? She asked breathlessly. “Has anything happened to Herbert? What is it? What is it?

Practice A. Mysterious circumstances B. Mysterious characters C. Dark setting D. Difficult decision E. Unresolved issue __C_1) He sat alone in the darkness, gazing at the dying fire, and seeing faces in it. __B_2) The last face was so horrible and so simian that he gazed at it in amazement. _D__3) “I don’t know what to wish for, and that’s a fact,” he said slowly. ____ 4) As I wished, it twisted in my hand like a snake. ____ 5) “Is anything the matter? She asked breathlessly. “Has anything happened to Herbert? What is it? What is it?

Practice A. Mysterious circumstances B. Mysterious characters C. Dark setting D. Difficult decision E. Unresolved issue __C_1) He sat alone in the darkness, gazing at the dying fire, and seeing faces in it. __B_2) The last face was so horrible and so simian that he gazed at it in amazement. _D__3) “I don’t know what to wish for, and that’s a fact,” he said slowly. __A_4) As I wished, it twisted in my hand like a snake. ____ 5) “Is anything the matter? She asked breathlessly. “Has anything happened to Herbert? What is it? What is it?

Practice A. Mysterious circumstances B. Mysterious characters C. Dark setting D. Difficult decision E. Unresolved issue __C_1) He sat alone in the darkness, gazing at the dying fire, and seeing faces in it. __B_2) The last face was so horrible and so simian that he gazed at it in amazement. _D__3) “I don’t know what to wish for, and that’s a fact,” he said slowly. __A_4) As I wished, it twisted in my hand like a snake. __E__5) “Is anything the matter? She asked breathlessly. “Has anything happened to Herbert? What is it? What is it?

What is she doing that shows she is feeling this way? This woman is feeling the suspense. In other words, she is feeling the anxious curiosity about what will happen next in the story If an author describes facial expression in this way – he is trying to build suspense! What is Suspense?

What is Suspense? If an author makes you question what is going to happen next, and doesn’t tell you the answer right away or “leaves you hanging” then that is SUSPENSE.

Your Task • Complete the Prewriting and Drafting: Organizing and Writing Your Short Story handout. • On this handout you will begin piecing the events of your story together from start to finish. • Include specific details of what your main characters are doing and how you will connect one event to the next in a logical order. • Make sure you use complete sentences and also include where you will insert dialogue.

CHARACTER, SETTING AND PLOT