1. *Element of Narration: Plot
*General Information
*Element of Narration: Plot
In blue - discuss with Shoulder Partner
In red - write in journal

2. What is a Short Story? Short Concentrated: Fictional: Prose:
Narrative:
With you shoulder partner discuss:
What each of these terms mean.
Create a definition in your journal.

3. Short:
Approximately 1600 to 20,000 words

4. Concentrated:
All attention is focused on a central plot or character; no detail is unimportant

5. Fictional:
imaginary; invented; made-up

6. Prose:
In paragraph format

7. Narrative:
Story

8. What is PLOT? what happens in a story
a series of related events that result when a character reacts to a problem (i.e. conflict) in order to resolve it

9. How we got these names…
People such as Aristotle saw common pattern. Each had 5 acts:
Exposition
Rising action
Climax
Falling action
Resolution / Dénouement

12. Questions for you and partner:
Who/why did people name the stages?
Using these terms, we’re going to explore the plot of Finding Nemo.

13. Essential Characteristics of the Exposition
Introduces general setting
Introduces protagonist
Introduces the antagonist(s)
(Reveals the external conflict and/or internal conflict

14. Exposition of Finding Nemo
as we watch exposition, look for how writer reveals characters’ personalities?
how does he reveal the setting?
what are the possible conflict that may arise?

15. Exposition in Finding Nemo
*Marlin’s cautious nature
- checking for danger.
*Nemo’s ‘lucky fin’
- barracuda attack.
*Nemo = regular kid, annoyed by father’s worrying.
*Marlin is socially awkward= unfunny joke.

16. Inciting Incident In Finding Nemo, the conflict truly begins when
Nemo is taken by the divers.
This is known as the inciting incident.
Conflict that starts the rising action.

17. Rising Action complications (rising action):
the actions that the conflict causes the character(s) to take
the consequences that result from these actions
the character’s actions or responses to the trouble or difficulty caused by these consequences

18. Plot “Ingredients” climax:
The turning point of the story at which the character (1) is in the worst possible circumstances and/or (2) makes his most difficult decision This climax leads right to the…

19. Climax in Finding Nemo Why/how we know this is the climax?
The search for Nemo intersects with Nemo’s own adventures in the dentist’s office.
The climax continues into the ocean, reaching its peak when Nemo rescues the fish trapped in a net.
Why/how we know this is the climax?
Use the definition to prove your point.
How is it the turning point? Is he in worst possible circumstances; does he make difficult decision?

20. Falling Action Think about it with partner and discuss
- Can you think of a book or movie that simply ended in the middle of all the excitement of the climax?

21. Falling Action
Definition: The falling action is a short but vital part of the story that resolves the climax.
Essential Characteristics:
Shows the outcome of the climax
Tells the reader the status of the main characters
Example: In Finding Nemo, this is when Nemo saves Dorie and Marlin learns to trust his son.
Non-Examples: The falling action should not leave the reader confused.

22. Resolution or Denouement
The Ending the Final Outcome
The physical and emotional end of the story, as the character triumphs over the conflict or loses to it
The physical resolution solves the external conflict.
The emotional resolution (also known as the denouement)—if there is one—solves the internal conflict.

23. Dénouement
Definition: The dénouement reveals how the characters have “changed over time.”
Think about the final part of the movie Finding Nemo. Ending / Resolution of Finding Nemo
Nemo & Marlin = same situation as beginning
Back at the reef / Nemo is preparing to go to school.
Only this time - major differences from the exposition.
As we watch find these major differences

24. Dénouement: Essential Characteristics
The characters are back in a similar setting as the exposition
The protagonist behaves differently, showing effect of the story’s conflict
A great dénouement shows how the characters have changed.
How do you know this scene was the denouement?

25. + Marlin finally tells his whole joke
+ Marlin finally tells his whole joke. + Marlin is no longer over protective of his son. + Nemo is confident and happy. + Poor dénouements look like:  “And they lived happily ever after.” “And he never made the same mistake again.”
In Finding Nemo, the dénouement shows: Change in Character

26. PRACTICE! For Finding Nemo
What is the physical resolution of the story?
Is there an emotional resolution? (A dénouement)
What does the story teach us?
How does the story use the elements of plot to teach us this lesson?

27. Another way to end: Irony: The Big Twist at the End Moment of
What one thought to be true is suddenly shown not to be true, or the opposite of what one expected occurs

28. Functions of a Plot focuses attention = important characters &
roles in the story.
connects events in an orderly manner.
creates a desire for the reader to go on reading
what happens next????

29. Why do we talk about plot?
By identifying & understanding =
points on the plot,
reader can:
Understand message being conveyed by the author
See explicit or implicit moral of the story.