1. Vocabulary Words/Concepts
Student Notes

2. Plot Diagram 3 4 2 1 5

3. Plot (definition)
1. 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.

4. 2. Exposition – 1st event in plot
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. 3. Rising Action 2nd event in plot
This part of the story begins to develop the conflict(s). A building of interest or suspense occurs.

6. 4. Climax 3rd event in plot
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.

7. 5. Falling Action 4th event in plot
All loose ends of the plot are tied up. The conflict(s) and climax are taken care of.

8. 6. Resolution 5th event in plot
The story comes to a reasonable ending.

9. 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

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

12. Types of conflict
8. Internal conflict – character vs. self - In this type of conflict, the main character experiences some kind of inner conflict.

13. Types of conflict
9. External conflict – character vs. character – conflict between two opposing forces
Character vs. nature –This type of conflict finds the main character in conflict with the forces of nature, which serve as the antagonist.
Character vs. society - This type of conflict has the main character in conflict with a larger group: a community, society, culture

14. 10. character
A character is a person, or sometimes even an animal, who takes part in the action of a short story or other literary work.

15. 11. Setting - time and place that the story happens
12. theme – the central idea or belief in a short story

16. 13. Protagonist – the main character, the good guy/girl, or hero in a story
14. antagonist – the character the opposes the main character, the villain, the bad guy/girl