1. Identifying the Elements of A Plot Diagram Student Notes

2. Plot Diagram 2 1 3 4 5

3. Plot (definition) Plot is the organized pattern or sequence of events that make up a story. Every plot is made up of a series of incidents that are related to one another. Like links in a chain, each event hooks our curiosity and pulls us forward to the next event.

4. 1. Exposition This usually occurs at the beginning of a short story. Here the characters are introduced. We also learn about the setting of the story. Most importantly, we are introduced to the main conflict (main problem).

5. 2. Rising Action This part of the story begins to develop the conflict(s). A building of interest or suspense occurs.

6. Conflict Conflict is the struggle or clash between opposing characters or forces. Conflicts may be - external: firefighter vs. fire internal: firefighter vs. his or her fear or

7. Conflict An external conflict may be a struggle between Two characters A character and a group A character and something nonhuman

8. An internal conflict is a struggle that takes place within a character’s mind or heart. Characters struggle with themselves to make decisions. Conflict

9. Quick Check: Rainsford knew he could do one of two things. He could stay where he was and wait. That was suicide. He could flee. That was postponing the inevitable. For a moment he stood there, thinking. An idea that held a wild chance came to him, and, tightening his belt, he headed away from the swamp. –from “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell Is this an external or internal conflict?

10. 3. Climax This is the turning point of the story. Usually the main character comes face to face with a conflict. The main character will change in some way.

11. 4. Falling Action All loose ends of the plot are tied up. The conflict(s) and climax are taken care of.

12. 5. Resolution The story comes to a reasonable ending.

13. 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

14. Timing and Pacing Most stories are told in chronological order, the order in which events unfold in real time. FirstSecondThirdLast

15. Timing and Pacing Sometimes, writers might manipulate time to control our emotions. They might - slow down time to emphasize a moment of danger speed up time to skip over events that don’t move the story along

16. Flashback Flashback—a scene that interrupts the present action of the plot to flash backward and tell what happened at an earlier time. Flashbacks can Past provide background information strengthen our understanding of a character Present

17. Flash-Forward Flash-Forward—a scene that interrupts the present action of the plot to shift into the future. Future Present Flash-forwards can create dramatic irony. The readers know what will happen in the future, but the characters don’t.

18. Foreshadowing Foreshadowing is the use of clues to hint at events that will occur later in the plot. Foreshadowing can make a story more exciting by increasing suspense.

19. Choose a children’s story, fairy tale, or movie that is familiar to you. Practice Draw a plot diagram like the one shown here. Add labels describing the key parts of the story’s plot. Use your imagination to write a flashback that could occur in one part of the story. Ex. Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Harry Potter, Avatar, etc.