PLOT OVERVIEW

The sequence of events that take place throughout a story.

It contains five major elements:Exposition/ Basic SituationRising ActionClimaxFalling Action Resolution

For a deeper look at the plot http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/plot-diagram/

WHAT IS A PLOT?

PLOT MAP DIAGRAM

Exposition/ Basic Situation--Introductory material given at beginning of story.

EXPOSITION/ BASIC SITUATIONIntroduces 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.

PLOT MAP DIAGRAM

Rising Action—introduces conflict, builds suspense and thickens plot.

Introduces complications or conflict

Builds suspense for the reader

When the plot “thickens”

RISING ACTION

PLOT MAP DIAGRAM

Climax—turning point of story, moment of most suspense, main character changes

Turning point of storyMoment of greatest suspenseResults in changing main characterCharacter usually has made a decision at this

pointSometimes happens at end of story

CLIMAX (BREAKING POINT)

PLOT MAP DIAGRAM

Falling Action—after climax, leading to resolution

FALLING ACTIONBridge between the climax and the resolution

Usually fewer events than rising action

Can be very short

PLOT MAP DIAGRAM

Resolution—solving of the problem and tying up loose ends

RESOLUTIONSolving 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

PLOT MAP DIAGRAM

Exposition/ Basic Situation--Introductory material given at beginning of story.

Rising Action—introduces conflict, builds suspense and thickens plot.

Climax—turning point of story, moment of most suspense, main character changes

Falling Action—after climax, leading to resolution

Resolution—solving of the problem and tying up loose ends

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

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

CHARACTERS

SETTING

Particular time and place when events occurCould be real or imaginaryCould occur in past, present or futureCan play a huge role in what happens in plot

CONFLICT

The dramatic struggle between two forces in a story.

Without conflict, there is no story.

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.)

A truth about life or human nature that is conveyed by the writer

Not always directly statedCan be revealed by the following:

TitleKey phrases and statements about big ideas

The ways characters change and the lessons they learn

THEME