PLOT NOTES

Setting The time AND place in which the events in a short story, novel or play occur. The setting often helps create the atmosphere or mood of the story/event.

Plot What happens in a story, including the problem or conflict faced by one or more characters and how the problem or conflict is resolved

Plot Exposition is the beginning of the story where characters are introduced, setting is established and we learn of the main conflict Exposition

Inciting Conflict: begins the Rising Plot Inciting Conflict: begins the Rising Action. This is usually the main struggle that one or more characters experience. The main conflict centers around the protagonist Inciting Conflict Exposition

Plot Internal Conflict External Conflict Person vs. self Conflict: (occurs in the Rising Action) A struggle that one or more characters experience Internal Conflict External Conflict Person vs. self Person vs. person Person vs. society Person vs. nature

Plot Rising Action: Refers to the events in a story that move the plot forward. Rising action involves conflicts and complications and usually builds toward a climax, or turning point Rising Action Inciting Conflict Exposition

Plot Climax -In a story, the climax, or turning point, is the point when the main character comes face to face with the conflict that will cause the character to change in some way – NOT ALWAYS THE MOST EXCITING PART Climax Rising Action Inciting Conflict Exposition

Plot Falling Action: In the plot of the story, the falling action occurs after the climax. During the falling action, smaller conflicts are resolved and any loose ends are tied up Falling Action Rising Action Climax Exposition Inciting Conflict

Denouement/Resolution (occurs at the end of the falling action) The outcome of a story where all conflicts have been resolved and the story ends (the “they lived happily ever after”) Falling Action Rising Action Climax Exposition Denouement/Resolution Inciting Conflict