UNIT ONE VOCABULARY ELEMENTS OF PLOT

PLOT Plot – sequence of events in a text. The plot has a beginning, middle and end. In short, the character’s journey to solve their problem.

CHARACTERIZATION Readers get to know characters through physical appearance, actions and dialogue. The big question about characters is: What are their motives? What makes them do what they do? What do the motivations reveal: morals/values; hopes/fears; strengths/weakness

TYPES OF CHARACTERS FLAT/STATIC ROUND/DYNAMIC kuzco

CONFLICT INTERNAL EXTERNAL MAN VS. MAN MAN VS NATURE MAN VS. CIRCUMSTANCE MAN VS. ANIMAL MAN VS. SOCIETY

THEME Theme is not stated directly or explicitly in the story. Themes are not identified using one word. It is a sentence. There can be more than one theme!

SETTING Setting – where the story takes place. There can be more than one setting, but typically, in a short story, there is one MAJOR place of action.

EXPOSITION This is the introduction. The exposition introduces the setting, characters and most of the time, the conflict.

RISING ACTION Rising action refers to the series of events preceding the climax. Clue: What obstacles does the protagonist face when trying to solve his/her problem?

CLIMAX The climax is the turning point of the story. This is where the character must make a decision to confront the conflict. The most intense part of the story. Might involve danger, despair or desperation.

FALLING ACTION Falling action takes place after the climax. What were the consequences that resulted from the decision made by the character?

RESOLUTION The end of the story. This is where all loose ends are tied up and the conflict is resolved. This is the final element of the plot. This element usually gives insight into where the main character will end up in the future. Happily Ever After or NOT

CONFLICT CONTINUED PROTAGONIST ANTAGONIST

POINT OF VIEW Who is telling the story. Narratives can be told from a 1st or 3rd person POV 1st person (I, me) told by character 3rd person Omniscient (them, they) author knows everyone’s feelings/ all knowing