Plot

•Exposition is the introductory material, which creates the tone, give the setting, and introduces the characters.

Exposition

Setting--•is the physical and social context in which the action of a story occurs. The major elements of setting are the time, the place, and the social environment that frames the characters.

❏ place - geographical location. Where is the action of the story taking place?

❏ time - When is the story taking place? (historical period, time of day, year, etc)

❏ weather conditions - Is it rainy, sunny, stormy, etc?❏ social conditions - What is the daily life of the character's like? Does the

story contain local colour (writing that focuses on the speech, dress, mannerisms, customs, etc. of a particular place)?

❏ mood or atmosphere - What feeling is created at the beginning of the story? Is it bright and cheerful or dark and frightening?

Setting

❏ •Conflict is the struggle within the plot between opposing forces.The protagonist engages in the conflict with the antagonist❏ The antagonist can be:

❏ Another Character or Man vs. Man❏ Society Man vs. Society❏ Nature Man vs. Nature❏ Man vs Self an aspect of the protagonist’s personality, ideas

of right or wrong, physical limitations, choices, etc.

Conflict

•Everything from the initiation of conflict to the climax.–The part of the story where complications create some sort of conflict for the protagonist.–Suspense is the anxious anticipation of a reader to the outcome of a story, especially concerning the character or characters with whom sympathetic attachments are formed, usually the protagonist.–Suspense helps to secure and sustain the interest of the reader or audience throughout a work.

Rising Action

❏ Climax the moment of greatest emotional tension in a narrative, usually marking a turning point in the plot at which the rising action reverses to become the falling action.

❏ The protagonist usually makes a decision that leads to the actions that will end the conflict.

❏ It is helpful to consider climax as a three-fold phenomenon: ❏ the main character receives new information ❏ accepts this information (realizes it but does not necessarily agree

with it)❏ acts on this information (makes a choice that will determine whether

or not he/she gains his objective).

Climax

•Falling action is characterized by diminishing tensions. This is the time where the protagonist takes actions resolve the conflict.

Falling Action

Resolution is the resolution of the plot’s conflicts and complications

Resolution