Literary Elements Plot Structure
Plot The arrangement of ideas and/or incidents that make up a story
Exposition The introductory material which gives the setting, creates the tone, presents the characters, and presents other facts necessary to understanding the story
Conflict Struggle between opposing forces The essence of fiction. Conflict creates plot Often there are numerous kinds of conflict taking place at one time What is the conflict? What type of conflict is it? Four kinds of conflict: man vs. man, man vs. nature, man vs. society, man vs. self See Conflict power-point for extended conflict lesson
Rising Action Intensification of conflict Events leading up to the climax
Climax The high point of the story for the reader Moment of highest interest and greatest emotion The point at which the outcome of the conflict can be predicted
Falling Action The events after the climax which close the story
Resolution The way the story turns out
Plot Pyramid Climax Rising Action Falling Action Conflict Exposition Resolution