Elements of a Story PLOT

Plot Diagram/Map

Plot Plot is the literary element that describes the structure of a story. It shows the arrangement of events and actions that take place within 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.

Types of Plots Plots can be told in: Chronological order: Events happen in sequential order. Flashback: episodes of the story have happened in the past and the character remembers them or retells the events. In addition, you can note that some stories follow a circular or episodic plot, and hypertextual stories can be different every time they’re read, as the reader chooses the direction that the story takes. If a story that students are working on does not fit into the triangle structure, think about why the author would choose a different story structure and how the structure has changed. In media res (in the middle of things) when the story starts in the middle of the action without an exposition

Exposition The start of the story, the situation before the action starts Introduction to the story Helps the reader identify the mood and conditions existing at the beginning of the story.

Exposition cont. The setting is identified. (Where? and When?) 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, the most intense moment—either mentally or in action 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.

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

Types of Conflict External Conflict Man vs Man Man vs Nature Man vs Society Internal Conflict Man vs Self

Character/Characterization A Character is a person or animal that takes part in the action of a literary work. Protagonist: the main character or the most important character in a story. Antagonist : the character that opposes the main character.

Character/Characterization cont. Round Character: show many different traits –faults as well as virtues. Flat Character: shows only one trait Dynamic Character: develops and grows during the course of the story’s events Static Character: stay the same throughout the story