Establishing a Story Golnek Fall 2015

Plot Definition: term used to describe the events that make up a story or the main part of a story 1. Events relate to each other in a pattern or sequence 2. Foundation of a story/novel 3. Organizes information and events

Plot Stages Exposition Rising Action Climax Falling Action Resolution

Exposition Definition: the opening section of a story which provides important background information necessary to the understanding of that story 1. Establish Setting - Where are we? 2. Introduce Main Characters - Who's this about? 3. Reveal Conflicts - What's the problem? Example: Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there was a beautiful princess...

Rising Action Definition: "the conflict;" develops a story's characters, problems, and themes. 1. The conflict is the longest section of plot structure 2. Rising Action = the build-up of tension 3. Sets up for the climax For Example: In Snow White, a moment of rising action would be when the magic mirror warns the Queen that she is no more the fairest lady of the land

Climax Definition: the moment of highest tension or suspense in a story as a result of the development of the conflicts 1. The turning point in a story 2. Also known as - the crisis 3. Helps readers understand the significance of the rising action Example: The climax of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" address is, " This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable Rights of Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Falling Action Definition: shows the results of the climax on the characters and conflicts of the story 1. A lessening or reduction in tension 2. Typically much shorter in length than the rising action Examples: the return home after a war, reuniting the rescued person with their loved ones, the trial of the villain, the clearing up after the storm...

Resolution Definition: resolves the conflicts of the story 1. a return to "normal" for the characters 2. Provides a release of emotion for the reader 3. Ties up loose ends not disposed of by the falling action 4. Sometimes referred to as the denouement: "to untie" Example: The resolution of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet occurs when the Capulets and Montagues see their children committing suicide and they realize their rivalry must end

Setting Definition: an environment or surroundings in which an event or story takes place. 1. May provide information about placement and timing 1. social conditions, historical time, geographic location, weather, immediate surroundings, etc. Example: In J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," Rowling opens the story by focusing on Harry's non-magical life in the "muggle" world - at his aunt and uncles, at the zoo, etc.

Point of View Definition: the mode of narration that an author employs to let the readers "hear" and "see" what takes place in the story, poem, essay, etc.

First Person Definition: when a character narrates the story with I, Me, My, Mine in his/her speech. 1. Hear the thoughts of the narrator 2. See the world depicted in the story through his/her eyes Example: In Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird is told from the point of view of Scout, a young child. She doesn't grasp the complex racial tensions of her town, but the reader does.

Second Person Definition: when the author uses you and your 1. Rare 2. Pay attention if you see this! The author is making a specific choice 3. Draws you into the story Example: “My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” - John F. Kennedy

Third Person Definition: an outsider looking at the action. 1. Third-Person Omniscient - thoughts of every character are open to the reader 2. Third-Person Limited - reader enters only one character's mind Example: “A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world.” - Oscar Wilde

Mood Definition: the atmosphere of a story; creates an emotional setting for the reader. 1. Established in order to affect the reader emotionally and psychologically 2. Provides a feeling for the narrative Example: Disney World - "The happiest place on Earth"