Plot is the literary element that describes how fictional stories are usually organized. What is plot?

Components of Plot Exposition: the part of the story where you are introduced to characters and setting (warm-up) Rising Action: events focus on the conflict or problem. Climax: the turning point, when the focus switches from the problem to the solution. Falling Action: focuses on solving the problem Resolution: the conclusion where the problem is solved or determined unsolvable

1. Exposition the part of the story where you are introduced to characters and setting

2. Rising Action Events occur that make the conflict more complicated. Events are building toward the climax

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

4. Falling Action Tension eases as the failing action begins.

5. Resolution The story comes to a reasonable ending.

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

Conflict 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 Society Character vs Self Internal Conflict Character vs. Character External Conflict

Elements of a Story: Setting – The time and place a story takes place. Characters – the people, animals or creatures in a story. Plot – the series of events that make up a story. Conflict – a problem or struggle between two people, things or ideas. Walsh Publishing Co. 2009

Characterization Characterization is the way in which an author shows the personality of a character

Setting Details can describe: Time of day Time of year Time in History Scenery Weather Location The setting describes where and when the story takes place. It helps build background and create images in the mind. It helps set the tone or mood of the story. Walsh Publishing Co. 2009

The protagonist is the “good guy”

The antagonist is the “bad guy” or force

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

Exposition Rising Action: Opening of a story / background Events are focused around the conflict. Climax:Here’s a solution to my problem! Carrying out the solution. Falling Action: Resolution All done! Where are we on the PLOT Diagram?

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 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 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!

YOUR TURN! PARTNERS: Review your plot diagram from “A Sound of Thunder” by Ray Bradbury. o Would you keep answers the same? What would you change? Why? o INDEPENDENTLY: Work to REVISE your plot diagram from “A Sound of Thunder” to be turned in and graded for understanding of plot diagram and conflict.