Literary Analysis Plot

Definitions to know: 1. Exposition 2. Rising action 3. Climax 4. Falling action or resolution 5. Sequence of events 6. Cause and effect 7. Foreshadowing 8. Conflict 9. External conflict 10. Internal conflict 11. Change

Literary analysis Literary analysis simply means analyzing literature. Analysis means breaking anything complex into its smaller, simpler parts. The smaller, simpler parts of a complete literary analysis are plot, setting, theme and character

Plot The series of events in a story is called the plot. Usually a plot is built around a central conflict – a problem or struggle that drives the story.

Four stages of a plot Most plots develop in four stages: 1. exposition 2. rising action 3. Climax 4. Falling action or resolution

Exposition This first stage introduces the characters, establishes the setting, and sets the tone for the story. It also may give background information for the story. Often, the conflict is introduced during this stage.

Rising action This is the second stage of the plot. During this stage, the story becomes more and more complicated as the conflict develops. Events develop sequentially, often having a cause and effect relationship. This part of the story makes you want to keep reading and builds suspense.

Climax This is the turning point of the story – the point of highest interest and intensity. It involves an important event, decision, or discovery that affects the outcome.

Falling Action The climax is usually followed by a falling action or resolution, which consists of events that resolve the conflict and tie up loose ends before the story ends.

Sequence of events A story moves through from beginning to end through a series of events. The order in which these events are presented is called the sequence of events. The story makes sense because the reader can see how one event leads to the next.

Cause and effect The events that make up the plot of a story often have a cause and effect relationship. The event that happens first is the cause, and the event that follows is the effect.

Foreshadowing Sometimes writers interrupt the sequence of events to give clues about what will happen later in the story. This is called foreshadowing. The writer may give clues through character dialogue, descriptions of setting, or a character’s behavior.

Conflict Conflict is a struggle or clash between opposing forces or characters. Nearly every story revolves around one main conflict. A conflict may involve something the main character wants and cannot get, or it might center on a problem the main character is trying to solve.

External conflict A struggle between a character and an outside force, such as nature or another character.

Internal conflict A struggle between opposing desires within a character.

Change By the end of a story, often a main character or a character’s situation has changed as a result of how the conflict in the story has been resolved.

Plot quiz 1. List the four main stages of a plot and give a description of each of them. 2. What is conflict in a story?