1. Plot is the literary element that describes the structure of a story. It shows the a casual arrangement of events and actions within a story. Teaching Plot Structure Through Short Stories

2. Types of Linear Plots Plots can be told in Chronological order Flashback In media res (in the middle of things) when the story starts in the middle of the action without exposition

3. Pyramid Plot Structure The most basic and traditional form of plot is pyramid- shaped. This structure has been described in more detail by Aristotle and by Gustav Freytag.

4. Aristotle’s Unified Plot The basic triangle-shaped plot structure was described by Aristotle in 350 BCE. Aristotle used the beginning, middle, and end structure to describe a story that moved along a linear path, following a chain of cause and effect as it works toward the solution of a conflict or crisis.

5. Freytag’s Plot Structure Freytag modified Aristotle’s system by adding a rising action (or complication) and a falling action to the structure. Freytag used the five-part design shown above to describe a story’s plot.

6. Modified Plot Structure Freytag’s Pyramid is often modified so that it extends slightly before and after the primary rising and falling action. You might think of this part of the chart as similar to the warm-up and cool-down for the story.

7. Plot Components Exposition: the start of the story, the situation before the action starts Rising Action: the series of conflicts and crises in the story that lead to the climax Climax: the turning point, the most intense moment—either mentally or in action Falling Action: all of the action which follows the climax Resolution: the conclusion, the tying together of all of the threads

8. Story Elements SETTING : The setting provides the reader with relevant information about the location and time of the story. The author usually gives a description of the time and place. CHARACTERS: At the beginning of the story, along with the setting, the main characters are introduced. The goals of the main characters drive the plot of the story (i.e., goals, attempt/actions, and outcomes). INITIATING EVENT: The transition from the initial setting occurs when an initiating event causes a change of state in the story. If the initiating event did not occur, the story would stay in the setting. Each narrative contains an initiating event.

9. Story Elements Cont GOAL : The goal is a reaction of the main character to the initiating event. The goal is what the character desires in the story. A character’s goal may be unstated. Also, more than one character will have goals in the story. The conflict between characters’ goals is what gets the story moving. ATTEMPTS/ACTIONS: Each character will complete a series of attempts to reach his/her goal. The actions in the story are referred to as attempts.

10. Story Elements Cont. OUTCOMES: Following the attempts, an outcome will occur. The outcome signals if the character has reached his/her goal. If goal success is reached, the story will end or a new goal will be set. If the outcome signals goal failure, the character may abandon the goal, make additional attempts to reach the goal, or create a new goal. STORY ENDING: Students may confuse the outcome with the story ending. The ending follows the goals, attempts, and outcomes and brings closure to the story. This category may be added at the end to separate the outcome and story ending.

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

12. Types of Conflict Human vs Nature Human vs Society Human vs Self Internal Conflict Human vs Human External Conflict