Warm Up Please write down the word “replete”. Make a prediction of the word’s definition. Look up the word (either on your phone or using a dictionary). Write the correct definition. Use the word in a sentence.

Don’t keep me in suspense—tell me about it! PLOT Don’t keep me in suspense—tell me about it!

Definition? Plot is the sequence of related events that make a story; it is the way in which the action unfolds. In other words, it’s what happens between “Once upon a time” and “happily ever after.”

The Building Blocks of Plot A typical plot has four parts: Exposition (sometimes called the basic situation, includes information about the main conflict) Rising Action (sometimes called complications) Climax Resolution (sometimes called falling action or denouement)

Exposition Exposition is basically any background information that the reader is given regarding the main conflict, characters, setting, plot, etc. The beginning of the story often provides a lot of exposition because the author is setting up the basic situation of the story. The reader is generally presented with some information about a main character who wants something very much but encounters a conflict while trying to get it. However, exposition doesn’t only show up at the beginning of a story; it can turn up at any point in the story depending on how an author choose to reveal background information. Q: Why might an author choose to not reveal a lot of background information at the beginning of a story?

Rising Action (a.k.a. complications of the main conflict) Rising action is action that complicates the main conflict and/or the main character’s ability to resolve his main conflict. Sometimes we call these complications “obstacles”. Oftentimes these complications involve a nemesis, or antagonist to the main character. Sometimes author’s might choose to create entire subplots in order to complicate the main conflict.

Climax The point in the story where we see how the main conflict will be revolved. It is not the “turning point” (many stories don’t have a turning point), or “the point of highest interest” (this is based on opinion). Every story has a climax. Some are exciting, some aren’t.

Falling Action Everything after the climax/main conflict is revolved. A twist/surprise ending is still falling action (not the climax).

How does it relate to conflict? Every story has a main conflict that drives the action of the story. The plot is the way in which (or the sequence of how) the conflict is presented, complicated and ultimately resolved…or not resolved.

“Messing with” Plot A straightforward plot is told in a linear, or chronological way, which means that it unfolds according to the “normal” order of time. HOWEVER, an author might choose to “mess with” the sequence of events in order to create a certain effect and a more interesting story. An author might choose to mess with plot by using: a circular plot. a parallel plot. a backwards plot. an out-of-sequence (i.e., all over the place) plot. flashbacks or flashforwards.

“The Sniper” Plot diagram Homework: Plot comic strip