As you prepare to take lecture notes, think about what is required in order to tell a good story. On the card provided, write the worlds shortest short story– in 140 characters! Tip: Use your phone to write a draft. Twitter Story Rules txt rulz 4U– use text language make it as interesting as possible remember: spaces are a character

Plot is the sequence of events that compose a story. In essence, the plot is what happens. One way to analyze plot is to divide it into thirds. Consider this three-word plot summary of the Gallic War by Julius Caesar in Latin: BeginningMiddleEnd Veni, I came, Vidi, I saw, Vici. I won.

However, we will divide plot into four elements. Climax most suspenseful moment Resolution problems solved Complications new problems arise Exposition basic situation

a main character who wants something and The exposition of the plot establishes the basic situation in which the writer introduces: encounters a conflict while trying to get it The conflict is the engine that drives the plot– it is why the action happens!!!!

The conflict is a struggle between opposing characters, groups, forces, or emotions. The conflict can be external: character vs. character character vs. society character vs. nature The conflict can be internal: character vs. self

Next is a series of complicationsevents that make the characters situation more difficult and so heighten the suspense of the story.... and as she trembled the medal for obedience clinked against the medals for good conduct and punctuality. The wolf was just moving away when he heard the sound of the medals clinking and stopped to listen.... from The Storyteller by Saki

The events that serve to complicate the plot can be told in several different ways. Chronological order– the writer tells the events in the order in which they happened. Flashback– the writer interrupts the present action with a scene or scenes from the past. Flash-forward– the writer gives a glimpse into the characters future. Foreshadowing– the writer hints at something that will happen later in the plot.

is the highest point of emotional intensity and Eventually the plot reaches a climax, which generally decides the resolution of the conflict He dashed into the bush, his pale grey eyes gleaming with ferocity and triumph.... from The Storyteller by Saki In a typical short story, the climax occurs near the end. Consequently, there is little or no falling action.

The last element of plot is the resolution of the conflict, also known as the denouement. The problems are resolved in some way. The story ends whether happily or not. All that was left of her were her shoes, bits of clothing, and the three medals for goodness. from The Storyteller by Saki

Setting is part of the basic situation in the exposition. It draws us into the world of a story. The details of setting usually tell us: the place: where these events are happening the time: when these events are happening the atmosphere or mood: how the situation feels

The details about the place where the story happens are an essential part of the story. The details of place almost always describe the storys specific geographical location The details of place may also include a peoples customs– how they live, the clothes they wear, the food they eat, etc.

The setting also reveals the time of the action. a time of the day an historical era a season of the year

The setting can also add to a storys emotional effect on the readerits atmosphere or mood. foreboding, mysterious relaxed, carefree lonely, sad

The details of setting can create a mood in the reader, but they can also express a tone the writers attitude toward a subject or character. The furniture of the hut was neither gorgeous nor much in the way. The rocking-chairs and sofas were not present, and never had been, but they were represented by two three- legged stools, a pine-board bench four feet long, and two empty candle-boxes. The table was a greasy board on stilts, and the table-cloth and napkins had not comeand they were not looking for them, either. from Roughing It by Mark Twain Consider this brief passage by Mark Twain. What is the mood created? What details reveal the tone?

1. What are the four elements of a plot? Exposition, Complications, Climax, Resolution 2. What is the engine that drives the plot? The Conflict explains why the plot happens. 3. List three examples of external conflicts. Character vs. Character, Society, Nature 4. What are the three elements of the setting? Time, Place, Atmosphere (or Mood) 5. What is the difference between mood and tone? Mood is an effect created in the reader; Tone is the general attitude of the writer.