1. Identifying the Elements of A Plot Diagram
Take Notes!

2. Plot Line/Diagram
Climax: The turning point. The most intense moment (either mentally or in action. 3
Rising Action: the series of conflicts and crisis in the story that lead to the climax.
Falling Action: all of the action which follows the Climax. 4 2 5 1
Exposition: The start of the story. The way things are before the action starts.
Resolution: The conclusion, the tying together of all of the threads.

3. Plot
Plot is the literary element that describes the structure of a story.
A plot line/diagram shows an arrangement of events and actions within a story.

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 resolved.

8. 5. Resolution Also called denouement.
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. Setting The time and the place of the story
Introduced in the exposition

11. Characters People, animals, objects
The author uses characterization to add to the development of the story.

12. Conflict The main problem/issue
Usually introduced in the rising action
Man vs. Man (external conflict)
Man vs. Nature (external conflict)
Man vs. Himself (internal conflict)
Man vs. Society (external conflict)

13. Theme A central idea…otherwise known as the moral of the story.
Typically deals with an abstract concept that is made concrete through representation in character, action, and image.

14. Theme (continued) Cannot be a single word, subject, or activity.
Must be a statement that covers the work in general.
“Group hysteria can lead people to do things they would not ordinarily do” is a theme from Arthur Miller’s The Crucible.