Structuring the Text for Effect Author’s Purpose using Plot

Plot diagram

PLOT Plot is the literary element that describes the structure of a story. It shows arrangement of events and actions within a story. Plot is driven by conflict. Conflict is the dramatic struggle between two forces in a story. Without conflict, there is no plot. Character versus character, versus nature, versus society, versus self

Chronological Order Sequence of the story may be broken from chronological effect – Flashback: describe a time before the present time of the story gives insight into a character’s motivation – Foreshadowing: gives hints about what would happen later in the story Can create suspense: a feeling of uncertainty or anxiety about the outcome

Plot Structure Exposition – The opening of the story establishes the general feeling of the story Setting: “The hospital waiting room was empty at that hour of the night. It was so quiet I could hear the second hand on the large wall clock toll each passing second.” Character: “I’ll never forget my grandfather, the most charming man I ever met.” In Media Res: “Someone call for help! Shouted a man at the side of the road.” ( Latin: in the middle of things)

Exposition Often included the inciting incident- an event that establishes the conflict or the struggle between opposing forces in the story – Struggle between two characters – Struggle between character and an outside force, like nature – Struggle within a character’s mind, such as a battle with guilt

Exposition Setting: Place, simply put, focuses on the geographic backdrop against which the characters are placed and the physical world in which they exist. Social climate often has later importance in the tale. In varying the social climates in stories, authors/directors are allowing readers/viewers to visit realms with which they may have no familiarity.

Exposition and Mood Often, the descriptive elements that surface early in a story establish a mood that can foreshadow the events of the story. Thus, a reader might leave the opening passages — the exposition phase of the tale — expecting suspense or lightheartedness or dire peril. A film goer may notice specific lighting, settings, or visual and auditory elements that suggest that mood.

Rising Action Events and complications that intensify the conflict Usually, there is no clear boundary between exposition and rising action; rather, there is a gradual merging of the two — like crossing the divide between the coast and the mountains with a gradual indication that you are leaving one realm behind and entering another.

Climax The turning point of the story Makes the reader want to read on to find out what happens next.

Falling Action Sets up the story’s ending

Resolution Shows the outcome of the conflict – Sometimes it is settled, sometimes is not settled Sometimes the ending may revisit the characters after time has passed to show how the situation has changed after the central conflict was resolved.

Pacing A narrator controls the time. – Create excitement, speeding from one idea to the next in a scene loaded with tension – Slows it down, describing it in details: Suspense “Beads of sweat stood on his forehead. As he struggled with the ropes, he could hear the beat of his heart, rapid but distinct. With each beat, the ticking of bomb seemed louder”

Narrative Patterns Striving toward a goal Overcoming obstacles in pursuit of a goal Solving a mystery Resolving a problem Bringing order to chaos (return to equilibrium) The journey Flight and pursuit Coming of age (from innocence to experience) Personal growth

Dramatic Irony and Point of View When we know more about what is going on than the narrator. – This happens in a first person narration if the narration is naïve, or unsophisticated, so we are wiser than that narrator.