1. Thinking Prompt
Take out your tracker and record your homework.
Read and think about a response to the question below.
Prepare to discuss with the class.
Billy resolves several internal and external conflicts during the course of the novel. Think about one of the conflicts Billy faces and how he resolves it.
Question: How the story might change if the main character, Billy, did not face any challenges or obstacles in the story. Would it still be an interesting story?

2. Identifying the plot and its effect on a story.
Elements of a story
Identifying the plot and its effect on a story.

3. Plot Defined
Plot is the literary element that describes the structure of a story. A plot diagram is an organizational tool, which is used to map the significant events in a story. By placing the most significant events from a story on the plot diagram, you can visualize the key features of the story.
Plot is the literary element that describes the structure of a story. It shows the order of events and actions within a story.

4. Four Basic Parts of a Story

5. Five Plot Components within those story parts
Climax: the turning point, the most intense moment—either mentally or in action
Rising Action: the series of conflicts in the story that
lead to the climax
Falling Action: all of the action which follows the climax
Exposition: The mood and conditions existing at the beginning of the story. The setting is identified. The main characters with their positions, circumstances and relationships to one another are established. The exciting force or initial conflict is introduced. Sometimes called the “Narrative HOOK” this begins the conflict that continues throughout the story.
Rising Action: The series of events, conflicts, and crises in the story that lead up to the climax, providing the progressive intensity, and complicate the conflict.
Climax: The turning point of the story. A crucial event takes place and from this point forward, the protagonist moves toward his inevitable end. The event may be either an action or a mental decision that the protagonist makes.
Falling Action: The events occurring from the time of the climax to the end of the story. The main character may encounter more conflicts in this part of the story, but the end is inevitable.
Resolution/Denouement: The tying up of loose ends and all of the threads in the story. The conclusion. The hero character either emerges triumphant or is defeated at this point.
Exposition or Introduction: Characters are introduced, setting is established, and initial conflict exposed.
Resolution: the conclusion, the tying together of all of the threads

6. Putting It All Together
Turning Point
Falling Action
The End.
Rising Action
Exposition

7. 1. Exposition
Here the characters are introduced. We also learn about the setting of the story. Most importantly, we are introduced to the initial conflict.

8. 2. Rising Action
This part of the story begins to develop the conflict(s). A building of interest or suspense occurs.

9. Conflict
Conflict is the dramatic struggle between two forces in a story.
The protagonist is trying to reach a goal.
The antagonist stands between the main character and the goal.
Without conflict, there is no plot.

10. Types of Conflict Man vs. Man Man vs Nature Man vs Society
Man vs Self
Internal Conflict

11. Every plot is made up of a series of incidents
that are related to one another.
Climax
Introduction
Setting & Characters
Resolution
Or conclusion.
Plot Triangle
High point/turning point
(tension increases)
Rising Action
(moves toward soluntion)
Falling Action
© Walt Disney
Billy trains his dogs well.
Billy hikes to Tahlequah.
Billy saves to buy his dogs.

12. 3. Climax
This is the turning point of the story. Usually the main character comes face to face with a conflict. The main character will change in some way.

13. 4. Falling Action
All loose ends of the plot are tied up. The conflict(s) are taken care of.

14. 5. Resolution
The story comes to a reasonable ending.

15. Definitions
Climax: the turning point, the most intense moment—either mentally or in action
Rising Action: the series of conflicts in the story that
lead to the climax
Falling Action: all of the action which follows the climax
Exposition: The mood and conditions existing at the beginning of the story. The setting is identified. The main characters with their positions, circumstances and relationships to one another are established. The exciting force or initial conflict is introduced. Sometimes called the “Narrative HOOK” this begins the conflict that continues throughout the story.
Rising Action: The series of events, conflicts, and crises in the story that lead up to the climax, providing the progressive intensity, and complicate the conflict.
Climax: The turning point of the story. A crucial event takes place and from this point forward, the protagonist moves toward his inevitable end. The event may be either an action or a mental decision that the protagonist makes.
Falling Action: The events occurring from the time of the climax to the end of the story. The main character may encounter more conflicts in this part of the story, but the end is inevitable.
Resolution/Denouement: The tying up of loose ends and all of the threads in the story. The conclusion. The hero character either emerges triumphant or is defeated at this point.
Exposition or Introduction: Characters are introduced, setting is established, and initial conflict exposed.
Resolution: the conclusion, the tying together of all of the threads

16. Sources www.readwritethink.org/
Identifying Elements of a Plot Diagram, alex.state.al.us
Wilson, R.(1961). Where the Red Fern Grows. New York:Bantam
Microsoft Powerpoint