English 10-1 / PWA Superstition and Paranoia Plot Terms English 10-1 / PWA Superstition and Paranoia

Protagonist: is the central character (person, animal, or personified object) in the plot’s conflict. Antagonist: Is the force in conflict with the protagonist. It may be society, nature or fate, as well as another person. It can also be the protagonist’s own self, if he or she has an internal conflict. Conflict: is the struggle between the protagonist and an opposing force. There are several types of conflict:

TYPES OF CONFLICT Person vs. self: occurs when the protagonist struggles within himself or herself. The protagonist is pulled by two course of action by differing emotions. Connecting text: Person vs. person: pits the protagonist against someone else. Person vs. society: happens when the protagonist is in conflict with the values of his or her society. Person vs. nature: takes place when the protagonist is threatened by an element of nature. Several types of conflict may be present in one story.

Diagram of Plot Climax Falling Action Development/ Rising Action Introduction/ Exposition Resolution/ Denouement Setting, characters, and conflict are introduced

Plot: is the sequence of events which involves the characters in conflict Most plots have certain common elements: A story commonly begins with exposition, an explanation of the situation and the condition of the characters. This can be woven into the action. A plot usually begins with a problem which the protagonist must meet or solve. During the story, tension is built through a series of complications, incidents which either help or hinder the protagonist in finding a solution. This is the rising action.

The climax is the peak or turning point of the action; at this point we know the outcome. The falling action is the part after the climax. It gives any necessary explanation and ends with resolution, the sense at the end of the story that it is complete. “It’s better to leave readers wanting more than to undo a good story by boring readers right at the end. But better still is giving readers just enough in the resolution.”1 Setting: Includes the place and the time period in which the story takes place. 1http://theeditorsblog.net/2011/06/23/resolution-tying-up-the-ends/

Special Techniques used in a Story Suspense- excitement, tension, curiosity Foreshadowing- hint or clue about what will happen in story Flashback- interrupts the normal sequence of events to tell about something that happened in the past Symbolism – use of specific objects or images to represent ideas Personification – when you make a thing, idea or animal do something only humans do Surprise Ending - conclusion that reader does not expect