Plot What Is Plot? Elements of Plot Basic Situation Complications Feature Menu What Is Plot? Elements of Plot Basic Situation Complications Climax Resolution Timing of Events Practice

What Is Plot? Plot is “what happens” in a story—the sequence of related events that makes a story hang together. [End of Section]

most exciting/suspenseful moment Elements of Plot A typical plot has four parts. Climax most exciting/suspenseful moment Complications / Rising Action new problems arise Resolution problems are resolved Basic Situation/Exposition /Introduction conflict is introduced [End of Section]

Basic Situation The first part of a story is the basic situation, or exposition. The writer introduces a character who wants something very much encounters a conflict while trying to get it

Basic Situation The main conflict in a story may be internal or external. External conflict: a struggle between a character and an outside force External: climbing wall Internal conflict: a struggle within the character’s own heart or mind Internal: fear

Basic Situation Quick Check What is the basic situation? Bertha walked up and down and enjoyed herself immensely, and thought to herself: ‘If I were not so extraordinarily good I should not have been allowed to come into this beautiful park and enjoy all that there is to be seen in it,’ and her three medals clinked against one another as she walked and helped to remind her how very good she really was.  Just then an enormous wolf came prowling into the park to see if it could catch a fat little pig for its supper. from “The Storyteller” by Saki What conflict does Bertha face? [End of Section]

Complications Next, a series of complications arises—events that make the character’s situation more difficult and heighten the suspense. Complication: “. . . and as she trembled the medal for obedience clinked against the medals for good conduct and punctuality. The wolf was just moving away when he heard the sound of the medals clinking and stopped to listen. . . .” from “The Storyteller” by Saki [End of Section]

Climax The plot reaches a climax. The climax is the most exciting or suspenseful moment decides the outcome of the conflict “He dashed into the bush, his pale grey eyes gleaming with ferocity and triumph. . . .” from “The Storyteller” by Saki [End of Section]

Resolution The last part of the plot is the resolution, or denouement. The problems are resolved in some way. The story ends—sometimes happily, sometimes not. “All that was left of her were her shoes, bits of clothing, and the three medals for goodness.” from “The Storyteller” by Saki [End of Section]

Timing of Events Another important element of plot is the order in which a writer tells the events. Order of Events Chronological order: The writer tells the events in the order in which they happened. Flashbacks: The writer interrupts the present action with a scene or scenes from the past. Flash-forwards: The writer gives a glimpse into the character’s future. Foreshadowing: The writer hints at something that will happen later in the plot.

Timing of Events Quick Check Identify which graphic represents chronological order, flashback, and flash-forward. First Next Last In years to come . . . Years ago . . .

Timing of Events A writer may slow the pace of events to create suspense or dramatize a moment. Fast Then, they saw a circle of gleaming eyes around their camp. Slow “There was no suggestion of form in the utter blackness; only could be seen a pair of eyes gleaming like live coals. Henry indicated with his head a second pair, and a third. A circle of the gleaming eyes had drawn about their camp. from “White Fang” by Jack London [End of Section]

Practice You can chart the plot of a story by using a diagram like the one below. Fill in a plot diagram for a fairy tale or a TV drama you know well. Television and movies make frequent use of flashbacks and foreshadowing. Insert those time tricks on your plot diagram as well. Climax Complications Event Event Event Resolution Basic Situation [End of Section]

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