PLOT: The sequence of events of a
story, with each event causing or
leading to the next.
Exposition: setting up the story by
introducing people, places, and
situations the reader will need to know
for the story.
Exposition
Narrative hook: the point at
which the author catches the
reader’s attention. This is the
signal that the exposition has
ended, and the rising action has
begun.
Exposition
x
Narrative hook
Rising action: adds
complications or problems to the
story, and increases our interest;
the sequence of events which
continue story toward the
climax.
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Rising action
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(events of the story)
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Exposition
x
Narrative hook
Climax: the point of highest
interest for the reader; this is
when the reader will know how
all the problems or
complications will be resolved.
Climax
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Rising action
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Exposition
x
Narrative hook
Falling action: relates
the events which are a
result of the climax of
the story.
Climax
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Rising action
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Exposition
x
Narrative hook
Falling action
Resolution: ends the
falling action of a story by
telling or implying the
final outcome.
Climax
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Rising action
Falling action
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Exposition
x
Narrative hook
Resolution
Relating to plot:
• Foreshadowing: the use of clues of hints by
the author to prepare readers for events which
will (or might) happen later in the story.
• Conflict: the struggle between two
opposing forces.
• external conflict: person against person;
person against nature.
• internal conflict: person against himself or
herself
- Character vs. Character: One character in a story has a
problem with one or more of the other characters.
- Character vs. Society: A character has a conflict or problem
with some element of society – the school, the law, the accepted
way of doing things, etc.
- Character vs. Self: A character has trouble deciding what to do
in a particular situation.
- Character vs. Nature: A character has a problem with some
natural happening: a snowstorm, an avalanche, the bitter cold, or
any of the other elements of nature.
- Character vs. Fate (God, etc.): A character has to battle what
seems to be an uncontrollable problem. Whenever the problem
seems to be a strange or unbelievable coincidence, fate can be
considered as the cause of the conflict.