1. Identifying the Elements of A Plot Diagram
Student Notes

2. Plot Diagram 3 4 2 1 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.

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. 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.

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

8. 5. Resolution
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

10. Project #3: Plot Diagram
Pick a children’s movie and complete a full and accurate Freytag’s pyramid.
1. Create a poster of the plot diagram
Neatly (Cut straight, taped down, visually appealing)
Follow format (Headings, landscape, color, taped, supporting graphics)
Grammatically correct/Accurate account of events
Use 10 vocabulary words (bolded)
2. Create a Google Slides presentation
Use your Gmail accounts
One person shares it with me
7 slides: Title page, exposition, inciting incident, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution/denouement
Same basic format of the poster

11. If you would like to score high, abide by this rubric

12. Cinderella Plot diagram
Example Project
Cinderella Plot diagram

13. Freytag’s Pyramid for Cinderella
Naruto Uzumaki
Mrs. Sabrina Mahuka
English 128

14. Exposition
In a kingdom far far away, Cinderella is a beautiful young woman who is oppressed and treated poorly by her cruel stepmother and insipid stepsisters. Although Cinderella is not a servant, she is treated as such.

15. Inciting Incident
A suave Prince announces that he will be hosting a ball in order to look for a bride. This incident sends a myriad of women into a frenzy as they would like to become a princess/queen.

16. Rising Action
A sullen Cinderella would like to go to the ball but her cunning stepmother bans her and in fact sabotages Cinderella by ruining her gown. Cinderella’s fairy godmother steps in and magically prepares Cinderella for the ball. However, Cinderella has to leave before the witching hour, midnight, before the magic wears off. The Prince finds himself infatuated with Cinderella, but has no idea who she is. Cinderella absconds from the ball right before midnight, but accidently leaves her intricate glass slipper.

17. Climax
The Prince is perplexed and does not understand why she left, but he is determined to find the mystery girl as she has pervaded his every thought. He searches house to house to find Cinderella but to no avail. Finally, after a manifold of women, he searches one more house and as luck would have it, he found Cinderella despite the ministrations of her evil stepmother. The Prince proclaims that he loves Cinderella even if she is just a commoner.

18. Falling Action
Here the action subsides as the conflicts are mostly resolved. The Prince and Cinderella plan to marry and announce their engagement to the kingdom. Wedding preparations are to be made.

19. Resolution/Denouement
The cruel and vile stepmother is left unhappy and has no way to better her social status. The Prince and Cinderella host an intricate wedding and live happily ever after.