Plot and Conflict in The House on Mango Street--Pre-Work for Literary Analysis Paragraph #2
Name:___________________________________________________ Date:______________________ Period:________
Consider--how do authors manipulate plot structures and use conflict to convey a theme.
Definitions: As your recall...
Plot is the sequence or pattern of events in a story (usually over time).
The traditional plot structure is as follows:
A-The exposition or beginning where characters and setting are established.
B-The complication or inciting incident where the conflict is introduced.
C-Rising action or events that develop or further the conflict.
D-The climax or turning point of the story where the protagonist’s
C
life goes from good to bad or bad to good.
E-Falling action or the events that directly result
A
from the turning point.
F- The denouement or resolution where the
B
protagonists’ fate is established as either good or bad.
D
E
F
A
However, this plot structure is not always applicable to modern texts. Modern texts often deviate in the following ways:
 in medias res: When the story begins in the middle of the action or with the establishment of conflict.
 Flashback: When the chronological sequence of events is interrupted with a memory from the past.
 Flash-forward: When the chronological sequence of events is interrupted with a scene or event from the future.
Frame narrative: When the story is framed or surrounded by another story. Examples include The Never Ending Story
and The Princess Bride.
______________________________
Most stories have a conflict or struggle between one or more opposing forces. Most frequently, the main character (the
protagonist) struggles against a character or force opposing him/her/them (the antagonist). However, the conflict does
NOT HAVE to be between two characters. A character can struggle against an internal or external force. Usually, it is the
conflict which drives the story.
Additionally, there can be more than ONE conflict in a story. Big conflicts are called major, and smaller conflicts are
called minor.
Consider: So what about Sandra Cisneros and her work in The House on Mango Street? How does she manipulate plot or
use conflict to convey a theme? Choose one vignette from the book, and brainstorm possible themes and how they are
conveyed using plot of conflict. Write your notes in the space below (and in your book).
Discussion: Now share your thoughts with the class. As your peers share, take notes on their comments below and/or in
your book.
Time to Write: Now that we have discussed, it is time for you to write a literary analysis paragraph answering ONE of the
following questions. You will be writing this paragraph for your homework, but be aware that it is a X3 main grade. Read
the questions and put a star next to the one you wish to answer. Then, use your notes to brainstorm a thesis.
Remember, you must follow the structure you of a literary analysis paragraph as shown below.
Prompts: Choose only ONE of the following to write about.
Construct a well-organized paragraph in which you explain how Sandra Cisneros' use of conflict establishes the
theme of a vignette from The House on Mango Street.
Construct a well-organized paragraph in which you explain how Sandra Cisneros defies the traditional plot
structure to establish the theme of a vignette from The House on Mango Street.
Thesis: You can use this space to draft your thesis--Remember, a thesis is your answer to the prompt in ONE sentence. It
is your argument about the author's argument and it should hint at your evidence. A thesis should contain the following:
TAG (title, author, genre)+What (what the author is saying/the theme)+How (how the author is conveying the theme)
In this case, the "What" is _____________________________________ and the "How" is ________________________.
Draft your thesis:
Structure of Your Paragraph: Remember, your paragraph needs to follow the literary analysis paragraph structure.
Thesis--TAG+what+how
Embedded Evidence--quotes surrounded by your own words.
Commentary (X2+)--analysis of quotes/evidence which shows how the author is using the "how" to convey the
"what". This should be at least two sentences long and explain how your evidence proves your thesis.
Embedded Evidence--quotes surrounded by your own words.
Commentary (x2+)--analysis of quotes/evidence which shows how the author is using the "how" to convey the
"what". This should be at least two sentences long and explain how your evidence proves your thesis.
Restatement of the Thesis/Concluding Sentence--reconnect to your thesis once again by restating it in different
words.
Formatting: Your paragraph must be TYPED, with your name on it, and DOUBLE SPACED. Please bring ONE PRINTED
COPY next class--September 19th. If you have trouble printing, email your paragraph to me BEFORE CLASS BEGINS. All
paragraphs not following this format will receive -5 points.
Need help? I am more than willing to help you with this first all on your own paragraph. Feel free to see me at lunch on
Friday, after school on Friday, or to email me over the weekend. I will read rough drafts, if you wish, or help you
brainstorm.