Plot Vocabulary

Plot   Sequence of events in a story. The five parts: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.

Exposition Includes details about characters and setting; the main problem or conflict is introduced

Rising Action Develops the problem/conflict through a series of events that build interest and/or suspense; events lead up to the climax/turning point

Climax/turning Point The most exciting part in the story where the problem/conflict is strongest

Falling Action   Event(s) after the climax/turning point leading to the resolution/solution of the conflict/problem

Resolution   The conclusion to the story that reveals the solution to the problem/conflict; not all stories have clear resolutions

conflict Is the problem that needs to be solved. Conflict may be internal, as a psychological conflict within a character, or external(e.g., man versus man, man versus nature, or man versus society

external conflicts Man vs Man- Conflict with another person Man vs Nature-Conflict with the elements or anything in nature Man vs Society-Conflict with rules, laws and beliefs

Internal conflict Man vs Self- A conflict in a person’s mind

Plot Line