1. What Is Plot? Conflict Climax Resolution Subplots Parallel Episodes Plot: A Chain of Events Feature Menu

2. Plot is the chain of related events that drives a reader’s interest in a story. What Is Plot? EVENT 1 What do you think happens next? EVENT 2 Jen challenges Rick to a bike race. Bet I can ride Diamondback Trail faster than you can! Bet you can’t! Jen and Rick meet on the trail.

3. Conflict A story’s conflict can be a struggle with another character, a force of nature, such as gravity or a strong headwind, or a character’s own feelings. [End of Section]

4. A story’s climax is the point at which the outcome of the conflict is decided—often in a surprising way. Climax Rick’s chain is off his bike. Jen is circling back to check on Rick. Suddenly, Rick remembers what he learned from his Uncle Eduardo: 1. how to replace a slipped chain 2. how to impress a girl

5. Where does a story’s climax fit into the plot chain? Climax It overcomes the obstacles presented by complications [End of Section] and makes the ending possible.

6. The resolution is the end of the story. It tells how the conflict turned out. Resolution How was the conflict in this story resolved? Neither Jen nor Rick won the race, but... they took many more bike rides together. [End of Section]

7. Subplots In addition to the main plot, some stories have subplots. A subplot is a plot that is part of the larger story but is not as important. Main plot Rick tries to impress Jen by agreeing to a bike race. Sub plot Rick discounts his uncle’s advice— then finds that he really can use it.

8. Some plots contain parallel episodes: repeated events in a story. Parallel Episodes [End of Section] Episode 1 Rick’s chain slips off. Rick replaces the chain, and the race continues. Episode 2 Rick’s front tire goes flat. Rick patches the tire, and the race continues. Episode 3 Jen’s brake cable snaps. Rick invites Jen to his uncle’s bike-repair shop.

9. The End Plot: A Chain of Events