Plot Overview

1. Plot Overview

2. What is a plot? • The sequence of events that take place throughout a story. • It contains five major elements: • Exposition/ Basic Situation • Rising Action • Climax • Falling Action • Resolution • For a deeper look at the plot http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/plot-diagram/

3. Plot Map Diagram Exposition/ Basic Situation--Introductory material given at beginning of story.

4. Exposition/ Basic Situation • Introduces setting, characters and other important beginning details of the story. • Sets the tone or mood of story leading to the conflict. • It is the details and elements needed to understand the action of a story, including background.

5. Plot Map Diagram Rising Action—introduces conflict, builds suspense and thickens plot.

6. Rising Action • Introduces complications or conflict • Builds suspense for the reader • When the plot “thickens”

7. Plot Map Diagram Climax—turning point of story, moment of most suspense, main character changes

8. Climax (Breaking Point) • Turning point of story • Moment of greatest suspense • Results in changing main character • Character usually has made a decision at this point • Sometimes happens at end of story

9. Plot Map Diagram Falling Action—after climax, leading to resolution

10. Falling Action • Bridge between the climax and the resolution • Usually fewer events than rising action • Can be very short

11. Plot Map Diagram Resolution—solving of the problem and tying up loose ends

12. Resolution • Solving of the conflict. • Wrapping up any loose ends in the story. • Set of events that bring the story to a close. • May find out what lesson the character learned • Theme may be revealed – truth/fact about life

13. Plot Map Diagram Climax—turning point of story, moment of most suspense, main character changes Rising Action—introduces conflict, builds suspense and thickens plot. Falling Action—after climax, leading to resolution Exposition/ Basic Situation--Introductory material given at beginning of story. Resolution—solving of the problem and tying up loose ends

14. Characters • The people, animals or imaginary creatures who take part in the action. • Main/Major —The characters on whom the story focuses • Minor—characters that interact with the main character and help improve the plot • Static—characters who remain unchanged • Dynamic—characters who undergo major change

15. Characters • The people, animals or imaginary creatures who take part in the action. • Main—The characters on whom the story focuses • Minor—characters that interact with the main character and help improve the plot • Static—characters who remain unchanged • Dynamic—characters who undergo major change

16. Setting • Particular time and place when events occur • Could be real or imaginary • Could occur in past, present or future • Can play a huge role in what happens in plot

17. Conflict • The dramatic struggle between two forces in a story. • Without conflict, there is no story.

18. Types of Conflict • Internal: A struggle within a character over morals, decisions or actions to be taken • External: A struggle between two characters, between a character and nature, or between a character and an outside force (society, technology,destiny,etc.)

19. Theme A truth about life or human nature that is conveyed by the writer • Not always directly stated • Can be revealed by the following: • Title • Key phrases and statements about big ideas • The ways characters change and the lessons they learn