The Elements of Plot

What is Plot? Plot is the structure that all stories, books, movies, and TV shows follow. Structure refers to a story’s beginning, middle, and end. Discuss fairy tales, books, TV shows, etc. that students are familiar with. Use the idea of fairy tales all beginning with “Once Upon a Time” and ending with “They lived happily ever after.” Then… Once Upon a Time The End

There are 5 parts to plot Climax Rising Action Falling Action Compare the plot map to a roller coaster. The exposition is necessary to understanding a story. It isn’t always exciting, but it is important. This is similar to getting into a roller coaster car. You have to put on the harness or seatbelt to ensure you make it to the end, but it isn’t as exciting as the rest of the ride. Discuss how the exposition is important in connection to TV shows as well. If you turn on the TV and a show you’ve never seen is halfway through, you won’t understand what is going on. The rising action is where the bulk of the story can be found. The climax is exciting just as being ready to plunge down a hill on a roller coaster is. Continue to refer to a roller coaster ride to help students make the connection to a story or book. Exposition Resolution

Alice in Wonderland Climax Falling Action Rising Action Exposition If students are not familiar with Alice in Wonderland, you can explain it or skip this step. Ask students that are familiar to recount the story. See if the images are enough to spark their memories about the climax. Once Alice regains control over her size, she participates in the trial of the Knaves of Hearts. Her decision to stand up to them leads to the falling action. She realizes that everything in Wonderland is absurd and unreal. She knocks the cards over, wakes up, and returns to home in the resolution. Exposition Resolution

Exposition The exposition is the beginning of a story. This part of any plot includes information about characters and their situation. Authors provide readers with key background information. We learn about the characters We learn about the setting We may learn a little about the conflict before it is fully introduced

Rising Action Rising action begins with the introduction of conflicts. Main events in the story begin to occur. The action rises and grows in suspense as the action intensifies. The characters work to try to resolve the conflict as they work towards the climax of the story.

Climax The climax is the turning point of the story. The moment where the main character acts in such a way that the plot changes direction. The character may change in some way (become a dynamic character). The character may make a decision that directly leads to the resolution of the conflict.

Falling Action All action following the climax is referred to as “falling action.” Main events are the actions the character has to do to solve the problem now that they know the solution or the action that just leads to the resolution.

Resolution The conclusion of the story is the resolution. This is the end of the story. The story’s conflicts are resolved. The conflict may be resolved in a positive way for the main character -OR- The conflict may be resolved in such a way that there is an ending, but not in favor of the main character.

Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll 'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves Did gyre and gimble in the wabe; All mimsy were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe. "Beware the Jabberwock, my son! The jaws that bite, the claws that catch! Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun The frumious Bandersnatch!" He took his vorpal sword in hand: Long time the manxome foe he sought-- So rested he by the Tumtum tree, And stood awhile in thought. And, as in uffish thought he stood, The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame, Came whiffling through the tulgey wood, And burbled as it came!   One two! One two! And through and through The vorpal blade went snicker-snack! He left it dead, and with its head He went galumphing back. "And hast thou slain the Jabberwock? Come to my arms, my beamish boy! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!" He chortled in his joy. 'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves Did gyre and gimble in the wabe; All mimsy were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe.