Conflict and PLOT

Conflict A dispute, struggle, or clash between opposing characters or forces. Conflict is what gives the story energy.

External Conflict A character struggles against another character or against some outside force. Man vs. man Man vs. nature Man vs. society

Internal Conflict A struggle that is within a character’s mind. Man vs. self

Conflict Resolution How the problem/conflict was solved. It tells how the story ends. The final outcome

Plot The series or sequence of events in a story. These events are what moves the story along. Plot is built around a conflict.

Exposition Sets the stage for the story. Characters are introduced and the setting is described.

Rising Action Occurs as the story continues. The conflict unfolds as more events take place. Suspense builds as the characters struggle to find solutions.

Climax The turning point of the story. The actions reach a peak, and the outcome of the conflict is being decided.

Falling Action Occurs after the climax. Loose ends are tied up and the story is ending.

Resolution The outcome is decided and the story has come to end. The conflict has been solved.

Foreshadowing Hints the authors gives you as to what will happen next. These clues may be easy to find in some text. In other text you may not understand the author was giving you a hint until the end of the piece.

Flashback A scene with in a story that interrupts what is happening. This relates to an event that occurred in the past and helps to tell the story.