2. What do you know already?

3. What is plot? Elements of Plot
Exposition
Initial incident
Rising action
Climax
Falling action
Denouement

4. Plot Plot - the sequence of incidents or events that make up a story.
It is the basic structure of a story “built” on a conflict.
Conflict creates ______ until it is resolved at the climax. Plots often follow the following pattern:

5. Elements of Plot
1. Exposition: This first element is of vital importance to the short story reader. In it, the author outlines, either directly or by implication, background information that the reader must have if he/she is going to understand the story.
The exposition introduces key information including;
Setting (time and place)
Characters
Atmosphere and mood (atmosphere is the description of the setting generated by the author to create the mood)

6. Elements of Plot
2. The Initial Incident (sometimes called the Activating Circumstance) introduces the conflict of the story between the protagonist and the antagonist.
Protagonist - the main character of a story.
Antagonist – the person or thing that opposes the protagonist
*Every story has conflict or there would be no story worth telling.
There are three types of conflict:
Character (humanity) vs. Character (against another person)
Character (humanity) vs. Environment or Nature (against society, a group, ghosts, dysfunctional family, discrimination, the weather)
Character (humanity) vs. Her/Himself (maybe the character is an alcoholic, or has problems with anger management, or is too proud or demanding or weak, etc.)

7. Character vs. Character

8. Character vs. Society/Nature/Environment

9. Character vs. Self

10. Elements of Plot
3. The Rising Action takes up most of the story. The main character (the protagonist) is challenged…why?
The antagonist is in conflict with the protagonist. The complications or problems get in the protagonist’s way. These problems generate ______ for the audience.
Look at the problems and you will be able to determine the type of conflict: Character vs. Character, Character vs. Environment, or Character vs. Her\Himself. The Rising Action begins after the very first problem occurs (Inciting Incident). This kicks off or starts the ball rolling for the conflict.

11. Elements of Plot
4. The Rising Action builds until finally something happens to end the conflict. This is the climax. Maybe the protagonist wins or maybe she\he loses…either way? The conflict is resolved.
5. The Falling Action helps tie up some of the loose strings of the plot and it leads quickly to the…
6. Denouement which resolves any final questions the audience may have. This is also known as the ______.

12. Homework