On the Bridge By Todd Strasser

Meet the Author Born in New York City on May 5 (he doesn’t reveal his year of birth) Studied at NYU for a few years before dropping out. He is the author of more than 120 young adult books.

Meet the Author Odd Facts about Strasser Lived on a commune Performed as a street musician in Europe Manufactured fortune cookies professionally

On the Bridge: VOCABULARY Abutments: (noun) the part of a structure (as an arch or a bridge) that directly receives thrust or pressure Awestruck: (adj) filled with awe Pliant: (adj) easily influenced; yielding Smirk: (verb) to smile in an affected or smug manner

Format for Plot Diagram Climax - the turning point or the point of highest interest; usually toward the end of the story Rising Action – the part of the plot that moves the story forward; everything that leads up to the climax Falling Action – the part of the plot that occurs after the climax Initiating event – the event that makes everything else in the story happen; can happen before the story begins Exposition – the beginning of the story; include the setting, characters, backgrounds, mood and tone Resolution – how the story ends; how everything turns out

Plot Elements Directions: Use the following plot events from “On the Bridge” to fill in your plot rollercoaster. You will have to fill in the exposition on your own. Adam talks about “beating the crap” out of a guy at the mall. Adam waves to a convertible full of girls. Adam acts like he is going to throw something and nearly causes a woman to have an accident.

Adam flicks his cigarette onto a black car. Three guys that were in the black car stop on the bridge, and begin to harass Adam and Seth. Adam points to Seth when the three guys ask who flicked the cigarette.

The three guys tell Seth to lick the cigarette ash off the windshield. Seth refuses to lick the ash off the windshield, and the “husky” guy pounds his face into the windshield, nearly breaking his nose.

Adam says the other guys had a knife on him so he couldn’t help Seth. Seth doesn’t believe Adam’s story about the knife. Seth throws away his blood-stained jacket.

Plot Diagram for “On the Bridge” Rising Action – Adam talks about beating up a guy at the mall. Adam waves at a convertible full of girls. Adam acts like he is going to throw something and nearly causes a woman to have an accident. Adam flicks his cigarette onto the windshield of a black car. Three guys in the black car get out at the bridge and start harassing Adam and Seth. Adam points to Seth when the guys ask who flicked the cigarette. The three guys tell Seth to lick the ash off the windshield. Climax - Seth refuses to lick the ash off the windshield and gets his face smashed Falling Action – Adam says the other guys had a knife. Seth doesn’t believe him. Exposition – on a bridge on a spring day; Characters include Adam, Seth and the three goons; the mood is serious Resolution – Seth throws away his bloodstained jacket.