1. PLOT This is what happens in a story.
A plot can usually be broken into 5 parts
Climax
Rising Action
Falling Action
Exposition.
Resolution

2. Introduces the setting and the characters
EXPOSITION
Introduces the setting and the characters
Time and place that the story takes place

3. Shows how the conflict unfolds and becomes more complicated
RISING ACTION
Shows how the conflict unfolds and becomes more complicated
A struggle between 2 forces. A problem that is the story’s main focus.

4. The most exciting moment and the turning point
CLIMAX
The most exciting moment and the turning point

5. Reveals how the conflict begins to change or resolve
FALLING ACTION
Reveals how the conflict begins to change or resolve
To find a solution or settle on a decision

6. Makes things clear for the reader and brings things to a close
RESOLUTION
Makes things clear for the reader and brings things to a close

7. Direct Characterization:
When the author directly describes how the character acts, looks, or feels.
Example:
Although Connor was taller than everyone and very athletic, he was shy, and felt nervous whenever he stepped onto the football field. He thought too much about what might go wrong.

8. Indirect Characterization:
When the author wants you to infer what the character is like, based on what they do and say, or how they behave.
Example:
Jared asked Tate why his face was so ugly, shoved him to the floor, threw his books to the ground, and strutted off with a smile. Sarah rushed over to Tate’s side, gently helped him up from the floor, and took him to the nurse’s office.

9. The perspective from which the story is told
POINT OF VIEW
The perspective from which the story is told
Mr. Smith gave me a lunch detention for no reason.
I gave him a lunch detention because I didn’t like his shirt.
Mr. Smith gave him a lunch detention because he had no one else to eat lunch with.

10. Read the passage below, then in complete sentences, tell me the following:
What can you infer about the kind of person Jim is and why?
What can you infer about the way other people might feel about him?
If Jim were a character in a story, what kind of conflict might he be faced with? Why do you think so?
As usual, Jim left for school ten minutes later than he should have. His shoelaces were untied and his backpack was unzipped. He had traveled only one block when he heard his mother shout his name. He looked back and saw her waving his brown bag lunch.

11. Using evidence from the comic strip, how would you characterize Jeremy
Using evidence from the comic strip, how would you characterize Jeremy? Please explain and use complete sentences.
2. Using evidence from the comic strip, draw conclusions about what Jeremy’s Mother is thinking. Explain how and why you have arrived at these conclusions.

12. 2. What can you infer about what his Mother is thinking? Why?
3. How would you characterize Jeremy’s Mother? Why?

13. 5. Is the characterization direct or indirect?

14. 4. What is the theme in these two comics? How do you know?