Identifying the Elements of A Plot Diagram Student Notes

Plot Diagram

Plot (definition) Plot is the sequence of events that make up a story. Every plot is made up of a series of events that are related to one another.

1. Exposition This is the first stage of plot. The characters are introduced. We also learn about the setting of the story. Most importantly, we are introduced to the main conflict (main problem).

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

3. Climax This is the turning point of the story or the point of greatest suspense. Usually the main character comes face to face with a conflict.

4. Falling Action This is the stage after the climax where the story is beginning to wrap up.

5. Resolution The story comes to a reasonable ending. This is the final stage of plot.

Putting It All Together 1. Exposition 2. Rising Action 3. Climax 4. Falling Action 5. Resolution Beginning of Story Middle of Story End of Story

Plot Diagram with Descriptions

Plot Must-Knows You must know ALL of the stages of plot. You must know the ORDER of the stages of plot. You must be able to identify the stages of plot by using a short story/book. You will use this through middle school, high school and college. There is no escaping it!

Conflict—MUST have it Conflict is the dramatic struggle between two forces in a story. Without conflict, there is no plot.

Types of Conflict Character vs. Nature Character vs. World Character vs. Self- INSIDE OF A CHARACTER’S HEAD Internal Conflict Character vs. Character External Conflict

The first little pig built his house out of straw because it was the easiest thing to do. The second little pig built his house out of sticks. This was a little bit stronger than a straw house. The third little pig built his house out of bricks. Once upon a time there were three little pigs, and the time came for them to leave home and seek their fortunes. Before they left, their mother told them, "Whatever you do, do it the best that you can because that's the way to get along in the world.” The Three Little Pigs

One night, the big bad wolf, who dearly loved to eat fat, little piggies, came along and saw the first little pig in his house of straw. He said, "Let me in! Let me in, little pig, or I'll huff and I'll puff, and I'll blow your house in!" "Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin," said the little pig. But, of course, the wolf did blow the house in and ate the first little pig. The wolf then came to the house of sticks. "Let me in! Let in, little pig, or I'll huff and I'll puff, and I'll blow your house in!" "Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin," said the little pig. But the wolf blew that house in, too, and ate the second little pig.

The wolf then came to the house of bricks. "Let me in! Let me in," cried the wolf, “or I'll huff, and I'll puff till I blow your house in!" "Not by the hair of my chinny, chin chin," said the pig. Well, the wolf huffed and puffed, but he could not blow down that brick house. But the wolf was a sly old wolf, and he climbed up on the roof to look for a way into the brick house. The little pig saw the wolf climb up on the roof and came up with an idea.

The little pig lit a roaring fire in the fireplace and placed on it a large kettle of water. When the wolf finally found the hole in the chimney, he crawled down and KERSPLASH, right into that kettle of water, and that was the end of his troubles with the big bad wolf.

The next day the little pig invited his mother over. She said, "You see? It is just as I told you. The way to get along in the world is to do things as well as you can." Fortunately for that little pig, he learned that lesson. And he just lived happily ever after!

Test your plot knowledge! The 3 Little Pigs –We will now watch a short version of the story to refresh your memory. After you will need to answer questions about the plot, characters, and setting m0http:// 19-m0

Sample Event #2 Pig #1 builds a house of straw, Pig #2 builds a house of sticks, and Pig # 3 builds a house of bricks. Event #2 Pig #1 builds a house of straw, Pig #2 builds a house of sticks, and Pig # 3 builds a house of bricks. Event #3 Big Bad Wolf blows the straw house down and Pig #1 escapes to Pig #2’s house. Event #3 Big Bad Wolf blows the straw house down and Pig #1 escapes to Pig #2’s house. Event #1 The pigs come across a beautiful clearing they think will be a perfect spot to build their homes. Event #1 The pigs come across a beautiful clearing they think will be a perfect spot to build their homes. Event #4 Big Bad Wolf blows the stick house down and Pig #1 and #2 escape to Pig # 3’s house. Event #4 Big Bad Wolf blows the stick house down and Pig #1 and #2 escape to Pig # 3’s house. Event #5 The Big Bad Wolf tires several times, but he can’t blow down brick house. Event #5 The Big Bad Wolf tires several times, but he can’t blow down brick house. CLIMAX: Wolf decides to sneak down the chimney to get the pigs. Wolf falls into boiling pot of soup. RESOLUTION: The Big Bad Wolf is so scared of the 3 pigs that he runs off in the woods never to be seen again. The 3 little pigs live happily ever after. EXPOSITION: Three little pigs leave home to find adventure in the big world.

What is the setting? –The beautiful clearing where the 3 Little Pigs build their homes –Time: Not exactly known. The time their mother thought it was appropriate they leave the home Who is the Protagonist? (hero) –Pig # 3 Who is the Antagonist? (bad character who goes against the protagonist) –The Big Bad Wolf What is the point of view? (who tells the story) –3 rd person omniscient What is the type of conflict? (main type) –Character vs. Character

WHAT QUESTIONS DO YOU HAVE?