PLOT!

PLOT… What do you think it is. (How would you put it in your own words

PLOT is… • The structure of a story PLOT is… • The structure of a story. • The arrangement of events and action within a story.

Plot is commonly described as pyramid shaped.

Plot is commonly described as pyramid shaped. Like this:

In reality, it’s a little more like this:

In reality, it’s a little more like this:

There are 5 main sections of a plot:

There are 5 main sections of a plot: Exposition (Beginning)

There are 5 main sections of a plot: Rising Action (Development) Exposition (Beginning)

There are 5 main sections of a plot: Climax! Rising Action (Development) Exposition (Beginning)

There are 5 main sections of a plot: Climax! Rising Action (Development) Falling Action Exposition (Beginning)

There are 5 main sections of a plot: Climax! Rising Action (Development) Falling Action Exposition (Beginning) Dénouement (Resolution)

The EXPOSITION is the start of the story The EXPOSITION is the start of the story. During the exposition, the writer introduces all the reader needs to know about the character and situation to get the story rolling.

The EXPOSITION is the start of the story The EXPOSITION is the start of the story. During the exposition, the writer introduces all the reader needs to know about the character and situation to get the story rolling. • In other words, the characters, setting, and situation are exposed to the reader.

In the RISING ACTION, events become more complicated as the protagonist experiences a series of crises and the main conflict of the story is revealed.

In the RISING ACTION, events become more complicated as the protagonist experiences a series of crises and the main conflict of the story is revealed. { • Person vs. Self • Person vs. Person • Person vs. Society • Person vs. Nature Types of Conflicts

*Note: Without a conflict you have no plot! In the RISING ACTION, events become more complicated as the protagonist experiences a series of crises and the main conflict of the story is revealed. { • Person vs. Self • Person vs. Person • Person vs. Society • Person vs. Nature Types of Conflicts *Note: Without a conflict you have no plot!

Can you think of examples of these types of conflicts from books you’ve read or movies you’ve seen? • Person vs. Self • Person vs. Person • Person vs. Society • Person vs. Nature

The CLIMAX of the story is:

The CLIMAX of the story is: • The most intense point of action (physically OR mentally / emotionally).

The CLIMAX of the story is: • The most intense point of action (physically OR mentally / emotionally) • The turning point.

The CLIMAX of the story is: • The most intense point of action (physically OR mentally / emotionally) • The turning point. *Note: the climax often comes much closer to the end of a story than people realize (see the example, coming up in a few slides…)

The FALLING ACTION of the story is action that follows the climax.

The FALLING ACTION of the story is action that follows the climax The FALLING ACTION of the story is action that follows the climax. • It’s how the characters in a story deal with the reality of the events of the climax.

The DENOUEMENT is the final outcome or conclusion of the story – the point where threads get tied up and conflicts are resolved.

The DENOUEMENT is the final outcome or conclusion of the story – the point where threads get tied up and conflicts are resolved. • Note: not all conflicts get resolved as neatly or as happily as others.

Here are some sample plot points for Cinderella:

Here are some sample plot points for Cinderella: Exposition: We meet Cinderella, her step mother and sisters and learn that they all live together and make Cinderella do all the housework.

Here are some sample plot points for Cinderella: Exposition: We meet Cinderella, her step mother and sisters and learn that they all live together and make Cinderella do all the housework. Rising Action: Cinderella’s step-sisters continue to treat her badly; she magically gets the opportunity to attend the ball through her fairy godmother, but then she has to leave the ball suddenly or else her coach will turn into a pumpkin.

Here are some sample plot points for Cinderella: Exposition: We meet Cinderella, her step mother and sisters and learn that they all live together and make Cinderella do all the housework. Rising Action: Cinderella’s step-sisters continue to treat her badly; she magically gets the opportunity to attend the ball through her fairy godmother, but then she has to leave the ball suddenly or else her coach will turn into a pumpkin. Climax!: The prince starts looking for the girl who left her glass slipper behind. He stops at Cinderella’s house - but will her step sisters ruin this for her too? They try, but eventually the prince meets her and the slipper fits!

Here are some sample plot points for Cinderella: Falling Action: Cinderella’s step mother and sister are outraged. Cinderella and the prince gaze into one-anothers eyes, knowing they had danced together at the ball.

Here are some sample plot points for Cinderella: Falling Action: Cinderella’s step mother and sister are outraged. Cinderella and the prince gaze into one-anothers’ eyes, knowing they had danced together at the ball. Dénoument (Resolution): Cinderella and the prince go off to live in the castle together – happily ever after.

Next up… PLOT PRACTICE.

Next up… PLOT PRACTICE. 1) Find a partner.

Next up… PLOT PRACTICE. 1) Find a partner. 2) Choose a movie you both Next up… PLOT PRACTICE. 1) Find a partner. 2) Choose a movie you both know fairly well.

Next up… PLOT PRACTICE. 1) Find a partner. 2) Choose a movie you both Next up… PLOT PRACTICE. 1) Find a partner. 2) Choose a movie you both know fairly well. 3) Write down what happens at each of the 5 major plot points. Be prepared to share out!