Elements of Plot
PLOT
Plot is the series of related events that make up
a story. Plot is ―what happens‖ in a short story,
novel, play, or narrative poem.
Character ~ the people in the story
• There are several ways to discuss characters:
Protagonist vs. Antagonist
• protagonist
- the main character in the story;
- the hero or the good guy.
• antagonist
- this is the character who is in
conflict with the main character
- the reader is ―anti‖
(against this character)
Setting ~
when and where the
story takes place.
• Most stories have
more than one
setting, so attention is
paid to the dominant
one.
• Setting can be:
1. Place
2. Time/Time Period
3. Weather
EXPOSITION
•
Background information a reader must
have to follow the story’s plot. Meet
the main characters, get important
background information, and discover
what the primary conflict is going to
be.
CONFLICT
A problem that causes action; a struggle between two
opposing forces. The conflict can appear as internal or
external.
–
–
Internal Conflict – the problem is inside the character
This occurs when the character faces a difficult decision or
dilemma – he/she is confused.
–
External Conflict – the problem is between the character
and some force outside of the character.
For example:
–
man vs. man
–
man vs. nature
–
man vs. society
RISING ACTION
•
•
The conflict begins to develop – to
rise and get stronger.
Rising action can be compared to the
climb up a mountain; halfway up the
problems get more difficult, or a roller
coaster ride; the closer to the top the
more anxious we become.
CLIMAX
•
•
•
The conflicts are at their very worst (the
peak or apex).
This is sometimes called the turning point
because the problems are as bad as they
can get and they have nowhere to go but
down.
The most intense moment—either mentally
or in action.
FALLING ACTION
•
•
FALLING ACTION : The conflict(s)
begin to lessen.
Just as it is easier to walk down a
mountain, the problems are getting
easier to handle in this part of the
plot.
RESOLUTION
•
•
•
•
The conflicts have been completely solved; the
place where all the threads of the story come
together, and the reader clearly understands
what happened.
We are back on the ground again, and the
problems are all resolved.
The resolution can be happy (comedy)
or sad (tragedy).