Conflict and Plot Conflict and Plot StructureStructure

Georgia Performance Georgia Performance StandardStandard

ELA8R1.fELA8R1.f

Why study this?Why study this?

If you ever want to write- or even If you ever want to write- or even tell- a good story, it is important to tell- a good story, it is important to understand the story elements.understand the story elements.

CRCT will test your knowledge of CRCT will test your knowledge of these elements.these elements.

KEY CONCEPTSKEY CONCEPTS

SettingSetting CharactersCharacters PlotPlot Conflict Conflict ResolutionResolution Point of viewPoint of view

FlashbackFlashback ForeshadowingForeshadowing

Point of ViewPoint of View

First-personFirst-person: author uses the words : author uses the words II and and meme, and the story is told as , and the story is told as though the author was a participant in though the author was a participant in the events.the events.

Third-personThird-person: the pronouns used are : the pronouns used are he, shehe, she and and theythey, and the author is a , and the author is a storyteller outside of the events.storyteller outside of the events.

OmniscientOmniscient: knows what all the : knows what all the characters think and feelcharacters think and feel

SettingSetting

Where and when the story takes Where and when the story takes placeplaceTimeTime: Some authors tell you exactly the : Some authors tell you exactly the

day, the month, the year, and even the hour day, the month, the year, and even the hour that the action begins. In other stories, the that the action begins. In other stories, the reader must figure out the time period by reader must figure out the time period by clues in the characters’ clothing styles, clues in the characters’ clothing styles, modes of transportation, or way of speaking.modes of transportation, or way of speaking.

PlacePlace: Stories always take place somewhere: Stories always take place somewhere

Characters Characters

The people the story is The people the story is about; characters are about; characters are sometimes animalssometimes animalsProtagonistProtagonist: the main : the main character or the “good character or the “good guy”guy”

AntagonistAntagonist: “bad guy” : “bad guy” Example: (Example: (Forged By FireForged By Fire) Gerald is the ) Gerald is the

protagonist and Jordan the antagonist.protagonist and Jordan the antagonist.

ConflictConflict

Conflict is the struggle or Conflict is the struggle or problem between two problem between two forces either externally or forces either externally or internally.internally.

Man vs. ManMan vs. Man

In this common In this common conflict, what conflict, what one character one character wants conflicts wants conflicts with what with what another another character character wantswants. Example: . Example: Jason vs. FreddyJason vs. Freddy

Man vs. SocietyMan vs. Society

The main The main character(s) character(s) does not fit in does not fit in with society- with society- who goes who goes against what against what society wants society wants or expects.or expects. Example: In Save the Example: In Save the Last Dance, the Last Dance, the African American boy African American boy dating the Caucasian dating the Caucasian girl.girl.

Man vs. NatureMan vs. Nature

The characters The characters in stories fight in stories fight against natural against natural forces such as forces such as storms, cold, or storms, cold, or extreme heat. extreme heat. The natural The natural force is called force is called the the antagonistic antagonistic force. force.

Man vs. SelfMan vs. Self

This conflict This conflict involves an involves an internal struggle. internal struggle. A character must A character must overcome overcome problems within problems within himself. He may himself. He may wish to do one wish to do one thing, but be thing, but be tempted to do tempted to do another.another.

PlotPlot

The sequence of events The sequence of events which lead to the which lead to the resolutionresolution

Plot structure:Plot structure:(Step 1)(Step 1)ExpositionExposition: : introduces the readers to introduces the readers to characters and explains the characters and explains the setting. Gives background setting. Gives background information needed to information needed to understand the story.understand the story.

Plot Structure Plot Structure

(Step 2) Inciting Incident: (Step 2) Inciting Incident: the event that sets the the event that sets the story in motionstory in motionExample: Forged By Fire: When Gerald Example: Forged By Fire: When Gerald

accidentally sets the apartment on fire, accidentally sets the apartment on fire, he has to go live with Aunt Queen.he has to go live with Aunt Queen.

Plot Structure Plot Structure

((Step 3) Step 3) Rising ActionRising Action: the : the sequence of events that occur sequence of events that occur during which time the conflict during which time the conflict develops or builds (puts you develops or builds (puts you on the edge of your seat).on the edge of your seat).Example: In Example: In Forged By FireForged By Fire when the when the

kitchen catches on fire while Jordan and kitchen catches on fire while Jordan and Angel are in the bedroom, the chapter Angel are in the bedroom, the chapter ends leaving you wondering what will ends leaving you wondering what will happen next.happen next.

Plot Structure Plot Structure

(Step 4) (Step 4) Climax:Climax: the the highest point of highest point of interest or suspenseinterest or suspenseExample: The final showdown between Example: The final showdown between

Gerald and JordanGerald and Jordan

Plot Structure Plot Structure

(Steps 5&6) (Steps 5&6) Falling Action Falling Action and Resolutionand Resolution: : the the events after the climax events after the climax and the end of the story.and the end of the story. Most of the time, all questions will be Most of the time, all questions will be answered at this point. Some stories answered at this point. Some stories “leave you hanging.”“leave you hanging.”

EXPOSITION

INCITING INCIDENT

RISING ACTION

CLIMAX

FALLING ACTION

RESOLUTION

Flashback Flashback

A narrative technique that A narrative technique that allows a writer to present allows a writer to present past events during current past events during current events, in order to provide events, in order to provide background for the background for the current narration current narration

ForeshadowingForeshadowing

a method used to build a method used to build suspense by providing suspense by providing hints of what is to come hints of what is to come