1. Elements of Plot Essential Question: How does an author use literary elements to develop a story? 1

2. Plot is the movement of a story through a sequence of events. It’s like riding a roller coaster! 1.Exposition (Opening) = basic information that the readers need to understand the events of the story. (Scene, characters, setting). a. This can be a single sentence or a whole paragraph. Elements of Plot 2

3. 3. Rising Action – a series of events that lead up to the climax of the story. There may be several smaller problems that occur before the story reaches the climax. 2. Conflict – the struggle between different characters in the story. This is usually a problem between the protagonist (good guy) and the antagonist (bad guy). 3

4. Elements of Plot (continued) 4.Climax - a peak in the story's action, or a moment of high tension or great importance. 5.Falling Action - occurs after the climax has been reached and the conflict has been resolved. 4

5. Elements of Plot (continued) 6. Resolution/Denouement Day-new-mo (Closing) - draws the action to a close and answers all remaining questions in the story. 5

6. Diagramming Plot The events of a story follow a pattern as the story moves forward. This pattern is called the plot. Exposition Conflict Rising Action Climax Resolution/ Denouement 6 Falling Action

7. Elements of Plot (continued) Other Plot Elements: Flashback - when the story moves out of sequence and goes back to a previous event to add important information to the story. Foreshadowing - a situation, event, character, or object that appears early in the story and later turns out to have great significance to the outcome. 7

8. Characters Characters are the people, animals, or imaginary creatures that take part in the events of a story. Main Characters – the most important characters in the story; engage with the central conflict Minor Characters – less important characters that engage with the main characters; can help move the story along 8

9. Characters Dynamic Characters – change as a result of the problem or conflict in the story; might grow emotionally, learn a lesson, or change his/her behavior Static Characters – do not change throughout the story Antagonist – Someone or something that is going against the protagonist. This is usually the villain, bad guy, enemy, etc. Protagonist – The main character of the story. This is usually the person who struggles to resolve the conflict. 9

10. Characterization Characterization is the way writers develop characters and reveal those characters to the audience. Writers do this in different ways: –Thoughts & Feelings: The character’s inner thoughts and feelings. –Words: What the character says. –Actions: What the character chooses to do and how he/she behaves. –Appearance: Descriptions of what the character looks like. His/her name, gestures, body language. What the narrator and other characters say about him/her. –Strengths and Weaknesses: The strong points and flaws in the character 10

11. Thoughts & Feelings Words Appearance StrengthsWeaknesses Actions Characterization is the way writers develop characters and reveal those characters to the audience. 11