Plot Stages and Conflict

Plot: How Stories Happen What is plot? The structure of a story; what happens The structure of a story. The sequence in which the author arranges events in a story. The structure of a five-act play often includes the rising action, the climax, the falling action, and the resolution. The plot may have a protagonist who is opposed by antagonist, creating what is called, conflict.

Parts of Plot Climax Rising Action Falling Action Exposition Resolution

What is Exposition? Beginning of story Introduces characters, setting, and tone In drama, the presentation of essential information regarding what has occurred prior to the beginning of the play. The exposition is the introductory material which presents the characters, setting, and tone of the play.

What is Rising Action? Plot becomes increasingly complicated Various problems arise

The high point of a story What is Climax? The high point of a story The decisive moment in a drama, the climax is the turning point of the play to which the rising action leads. The action reaches a high point and results in a climax, the turning point in the play.

What is Falling Action? Action following the climax Leads to the end The falling action is the series of events which take place after the climax.

What is Resolution? Problems are solved Action comes to an end The part of a story or drama which occurs after the climax and which establishes a new norm, a new state of affairs-the way things are going to be from then on.

A struggle between opposing forces in a story What is Conflict? A struggle between opposing forces in a story In the plot of a drama, conflict occurs when the protagonist is opposed by some person or force in the play. A conflict often develops between the protagonist and an antagonist. Conflict: A problem or struggle between two opposing forces in a story. Here are the four basic conflicts: •person against person—a problem between characters •person against self—a problem within a character’s own mind •person against society—a problem between a character and society, school, the law, or some tradition •person against nature—a problem between a character and some element of nature—a blizzard, a hurricane, a mountain climb, etc.

What is Conflict? Person against person Person against self Person against society Person against nature In the plot of a drama, conflict occurs when the protagonist is opposed by some person or force in the play. A conflict often develops between the protagonist and an antagonist. Conflict: A problem or struggle between two opposing forces in a story. Here are the four basic conflicts: •person against person—a problem between characters •person against self—a problem within a character’s own mind •person against society—a problem between a character and society, school, the law, or some tradition •person against nature—a problem between a character and some element of nature—a blizzard, a hurricane, a mountain climb, etc.

Literary Conflict

Conflict In a story, conflict is the struggle between opposing forces.

Protagonist The main character

The character in conflict with the main character Antagonist The character in conflict with the main character

External Conflict takes place outside of the body

There are three types of external conflict

The struggle is between two or more characters in the story. Man vs. Man The struggle is between two or more characters in the story.

External Man vs. Nature This type of conflict pits a story's main character or characters against a natural force such as a flood, predatory animal, or disease epidemic.

Man Against Society External In many stories, the protagonist battles against element of government or culture.

Internal Conflict takes place inside of the body/mind.

There is one type of internal conflict.

Man vs. Self The struggle or opposition is within one character-- making a tough decision, for example. A character struggling to overcome fear, addiction, emotional damage or other crippling personal issue.

Internal Man vs. Self Some literary conflicts take the form of a character struggling to overcome fear, addiction, emotional damage or other crippling personal issue.

Practice Decide what type of conflict is being illustrated in the following pictures

1. Man vs. ?

2. Man vs. ?

3. Man vs. ?

4. Man vs.

5. Man vs. ?

6. Man vs. ?

7. Man vs. ?

Now that you have mastered pictures, let’s try some text! Practice Now that you have mastered pictures, let’s try some text!

8. Man vs. ? “If she had only proceeded more slowly. If she had only taken the Southerly route, avoiding the icebergs. If only the watch had had a pair of binoculars.” (news story about the Titanic)

9. Man vs. ? Charles decided to break all the rules the day he decided to steal that car. He was immediately arrested and sent to jail to await his trial. He should have known better than to mess with the “rules.”

10. Man vs. ? “I don’t care who you talk to!” screamed Sarah to West. “I just wish I had never met you!”

11. Man vs. ? After the light in the cave was completely gone Tom began to stumble through the cave blindly cutting his hands on what appeared to be sharp rocks.

12. Man vs. ? Tom found a dry spot to sit down in the dark and began to feel guilty over an argument he had had earlier in the day with his mother in which he had said, “I hope I never see you again!”

13. Man vs. ? Tom’s mother was upset that he wanted to skip going to college in order to go exploring in all of the world’s greatest caves before he turned thirty. Tom didn’t understand what the big deal was and wanted to run his own life.