Plot Structure and Other
Literary Elements
Narrative
A real or made up series of events told in a
story.
Beauty and the Beast would be an
example of a narrative.
Plot
the sequence of events in a narrative. It is
structured around a conflict, or problem, and it
can be divided into the following parts:
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exposition
inciting incident
rising action
climax
falling action
resolution
Exposition
The setting and the characters are introduced
Inciting Incident
The event in the story that begins the conflict
Rising Action
The central conflict begins. The rising action is
like a pressure cooker. The conflict will keep
building and building until it cannot hold
anymore.
Think of it like a temperature gauge.
Rising Action
Conflict
1.
2.
3.
4.
man vs. man
man vs. nature
man vs. self
man vs. society
Climax
Highest point of intensity in the conflict. This is
the point where the pressure cooker can hold
no more.
Falling Action
The conflict’s intensity begins to lessen.
Resolution
The conflict concludes and loose ends are tied
up.
Other Stylistic Devices
There are several other ways to keep the
readers interested in the plot.
Foreshadowing
The use of clues to hint at events that will
happen later in the story.
Suspense
The use of foreshadowing to create tension to
keep the reader guessing what will happen
next.
Character Motivation
A character’s reason for doing something.
A character’s want or desire can move and
advance the plot along.
● motivation to live
● motivation for revenge
● motivation to succeed