THE ELEMENTS OF LITERATURE PLOT STRUCTURE

Plot Structure Setting Complications Climax Resolution E F D C Character Conflict B A

Exposition  The basic situation/background  The exposition is usually explained in the first paragraphs of a story  The basic situation/background  The exposition is usually explained in the first paragraphs of a story

A=Setting  Setting is the time and place of a story

B=Characters  Protagonist--the hero or main character of the story; he or she must overcome obstacles to reach a goal.

Antagonist  Villain of the story; He or she tries to prevent the protagonist from reaching a goal.

C=Conflict  Struggle between opposing forces  Types of conflicts:  Man vs. man * man vs. society  Man vs. nature  Man vs. self  Man vs. supernatural  Man vs machine  Man vs unknown  Struggle between opposing forces  Types of conflicts:  Man vs. man * man vs. society  Man vs. nature  Man vs. self  Man vs. supernatural  Man vs machine  Man vs unknown

External Conflict  External conflict-- A problem that can be observed (ex: a fight between 2 brothers)

Internal conflict  A problem that exists in a character’s mind (ex: guilt, shame, jealousy, etc.)

D=Complications  Suspense; events leading up to climax.  Also called: Rising Action  Suspense; events leading up to climax.  Also called: Rising Action

E=Climax  The high point or turning point in a story

F=Resolution  The ending; the conflict is resolved.

Plot  The sequence of events in a story

Mood  Feeling or atmosphere the author creates

Foreshadowing  Hints or clues that the author gives his readers about future events in the story.

Theme  The author’s message to his readers

1st person narrative  Character IN the story is telling the story.  Uses pronouns--I, me, we, our  Character IN the story is telling the story.  Uses pronouns--I, me, we, our

3rd person narrative  Narrator is OUTSIDE the story talking about the characters.  Uses pronouns--he, she, they, their  Narrator is OUTSIDE the story talking about the characters.  Uses pronouns--he, she, they, their