Plot Parts of the Story

What is Plot? Most stories follow a pattern. We will study the most common pattern. This is a way of identifying parts of a story. Climax Rising Action Falling Action Story Structure Moment of Final Suspense Inciting Incident Resolution Exposition

Elements of a Story Setting: time and place of story. Conflict: a struggle between two opposing forces.

Exposition Basic information about the characters and situation provided at the beginning of the story.. Characters and setting are introduced Exposition ends when the conflict begins. Example A lot of little birds sit on a telephone line. They each want their own space in the world. Then the big bird comes.

Inciting Incident When the conflict is introduced. The inciting incident sets the plot in motion. Example Little birds mock awkward bird and exclude the outsider.

Rising Action Examples Events that increase the conflict’s tension. After the inciting incident and before the climax. Examples Little birds all scoot out to the center of the telephone line. Big bird sits in center; makes phone line low in middle. Little birds peck at big toes; start cheering. Big bird also cheers.

Climax Big bird’s last finger slips off the telephone line. Example The point of greatest tension, usually when the outcome of the conflict is determined. Main character may learn something new A change takes place Now the conflict can be addressed. Example Big bird’s last finger slips off the telephone line.

Falling Action Events that follow the climax. Examples The little birds all launch into the air. Big bird blows their feathers. Little birds all fall from the sky naked.

Moment of Final Suspense The main character is tested one last time. Not every story has this. May be the most exciting moment. Example

Resolution The final outcome, in which remaining conflicts or questions are either resolved or, in some stories, left open. How the story ends. Example Little naked birds all run and hide safely behind the bird they mocked earlier.

Tips for Identifying First, identify the climax The climax is sometimes the most exciting part of the story, but not always. Watch for a shift in the mood of the story: Things go from bad to good or from good to bad.

Review Not every story follows this pattern, but most do. Climax Rising Action Falling Action Story Structure Moment of Final Suspense Inciting Incident Resolution Exposition