Plot

Plot Structure

Suspense

Foreshadowing

Setting

Your Turn

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What Are Plot and Setting?

Plot is what happens in a story.

Plot

You and your friends probably talk about the plots of movies, books, and TV shows.

“Then, the alien sneaked

aboard the space

station.”

“What happened

next?”

Plot is the story’s skeleton, or structure. Most plots have four parts, which are like building blocks.

Basic Situation Jen wants her soccer team to win the state championship.

Series of Events

Climax

Her team loses a game and then wins five games.

The team makes it to finals—and wins!

Resolution Jen goes home happy.

Plot: Plot Structure

Conflict is a struggle between opposing characters, forces, or emotions.

The conflict is usually revealed during the first building block of the plot—the basic situation.

Plot: Plot Structure

In an external conflict, characters struggle against something or someone outside themselves.

Internal conflicts happen inside a character’s mind.

Plot: Plot Structure

Look at the pictures below. Which represent(s) an external conflict? Which represent(s) an internal conflict?

external externalinternal

Plot: Plot Structure

A plot’s second building block involves a series of events that makes it hard for the characters to solve their problems or work out their conflicts.

Sometimes these events are called complications.

Plot: Plot Structure

The plot’s third building block is the climax—the story’s most exciting or emotional moment.

The climax is the point at which the conflict is decided one way or another.

Plot: Plot Structure

The resolution is the last part of the story. The resolution ties up loose ends.

What happened to the characters after their conflict was resolved?

The firefighters couldn’t save the building, but . . .

they saved a life.

Plot: Plot Structure

• It is the first thing you read—it sets the stage for the action.

You can use a simple plot diagram to show what happens in a story.

Why is the basic situation at the bottom of the diagram?

• You meet the main characters and discover what they want.

Plot: Plot Structure

A series of events leads to the story’s climax and ends with its resolution.

• It is the “high point”—the most exciting part—of the story.

Why does the climax of the story appear at the top of the diagram?

• The series of events leads up to it.

Plot: Plot Structure

Where in the plot would this scene probably occur?

• basic situation

• series of events

• climax

• resolution

Quick Check

Pedro packed his last pair of jeans in his duffel bag and carried it out to the car. It was time to leave for college. His mom and dad—and Marisol—were waiting with sad smiles on their faces. Pedro hugged Marisol and climbed into the car after saying goodbye.

He was surprised to find a little box on the seat next to him. Inside it, on a cushion of cotton balls, was Marisol’s lucky letter charm—M for miracles.

[End of Section]

Plot: Plot Structure

If a character solved his or her problem too quickly or easily, there would be no suspense in the story.

Suspense, or anxious curiosity, is what keeps you reading to figure out what is going to happen next.

Plot: Suspense

Ali and Coby are going for a hike in the forest.

Plot: Suspense

What might make their story more interesting, exciting, or suspenseful?

Another way that writers create suspense is to foreshadow, or hint at, the story’s future events.

we have a hint that something dangerous may happen in the character’s future.

Plot: Foreshadowing

If someone throws a brick through a

character’s window,

A writer uses foreshadowing to plant interesting clues for the reader.

Plot: Foreshadowing

These clues keep readers guessing about what might happen next.

Is this an example of suspense, or is it an example of foreshadowing?

Quick Check

Joe and Theresa had planned all month for the whitewater rafting trip, and they were packing for the weekend when the call came. Grandma needed help. The spring rains had flooded her living room.

The car was already loaded and had a full tank of gas, so Joe and Theresa left immediately. Unfortunately, they had forgotten something important—to check the weather forecast and road conditions.

Soon the rain was pounding on the windshield. Theresa slowed the car just as she came to a low-water crossing. The water gushed across the bridge, blocking the road.

[End of Section]

Plot: Suspense and Foreshadowing

Setting provides a background—a time and place in which the action takes place.

Setting

The setting could be a place in the real world or one that exists only in the writer’s imagination.

Settings may include

• weather

• time of day

• time period (past, present, or future)

Setting

• location

Quick Check

[End of Section]

Yolanda looked across the sea of people as she made her way through the crowd.

The busy ski hill bustled with families eager to enjoy a day on the slopes. Colorful hats and snowboards flashed against the glistening snow.

Which words in the passage help you imagine where the scene takes place?

Setting

Analyze Plot and Setting

1. What is the difference between an internal conflict and an external conflict?

2. Look at the excerpts from “Three Skeleton Key” in your book. How do the details in the passages build suspense?

3. Think about a movie, television show, or story you know well. Test your knowledge of plot by recording the main events of the story. Note instances in which the story’s plot is affected by the setting.

Plot and Setting

Your Turn

The End