Warm Up compromise -- (v) compromise -- (v) condescending -- (adj) condescending -- (adj) conditional -- (adj) conditional -- (adj) conformist -- (n) conformist -- (n) congregation -- (n) congregation -- (n) convergence -- (n) convergence -- (n)

Plot & Conflict

What is Plot? the literary element that describes the structure of a story. It shows the causal arrangement of events and actions within a story. the literary element that describes the structure of a story. It shows the causal arrangement of events and actions within a story.

Plot Components Exposition: the start of the story, the situation before the action starts Exposition: the start of the story, the situation before the action starts Rising Action: the series of conflicts and crisis in the story that lead to the climax Rising Action: the series of conflicts and crisis in the story that lead to the climax Climax: the turning point, the most intense moment— either mentally or in action Climax: the turning point, the most intense moment— either mentally or in action Falling Action: all of the action which follows the climax Falling Action: all of the action which follows the climax Resolution: the conclusion, the tying together of all of the pieces of the story. Resolution: the conclusion, the tying together of all of the pieces of the story.

Things to consider when looking at the order of actions: ________________________-exposition is at the beginning, and the story progresses towards the climax and the resolution. This is the basic triangle structure. ________________________-exposition is at the beginning, and the story progresses towards the climax and the resolution. This is the basic triangle structure. _______________________________________action is going on at the beginning of the novel; we are given flashbacks to what happened in the past. _______________________________________action is going on at the beginning of the novel; we are given flashbacks to what happened in the past. _____________________________- novel is presented to us in pieces like parts in a puzzle, and the reader has to put the pieces together to get a sense of chronology. _____________________________- novel is presented to us in pieces like parts in a puzzle, and the reader has to put the pieces together to get a sense of chronology.

What is Conflict? Conflict is the dramatic struggle between two forces in a story. Without conflict, there is no plot. Conflict is the dramatic struggle between two forces in a story. Without conflict, there is no plot.

Types of Conflict External conflict: Happens outside the person External conflict: Happens outside the person Human vs. Nature Human vs. Nature Human vs. Society Human vs. Society Human vs. Human Human vs. Human Internal Conflict: Happens within the person Internal Conflict: Happens within the person Human vs. Self Human vs. Self

Person vs. Self The central character faces an internal struggle. Examples A young man goes through hard times after losing his father in a car accident. A young man goes through hard times after losing his father in a car accident. An Olympic athlete pushes his performance to the limit despite his physical disability An Olympic athlete pushes his performance to the limit despite his physical disability

Person vs. Society The central character or group of characters battles against traditions, institutions, or laws. Examples A student takes his fight against the school dress code all the way to the Supreme Court. A student takes his fight against the school dress code all the way to the Supreme Court. A group of students protest in front of a university known for its unfair and racially motivated admission practices. A group of students protest in front of a university known for its unfair and racially motivated admission practices.

Person vs. Nature The central character struggles against animals, the elements, or other natural forces. Examples A castaway washes up on an island and must learn to survive with the available resources. A castaway washes up on an island and must learn to survive with the available resources. A ship captain pursues a great white whale through stormy seas. A ship captain pursues a great white whale through stormy seas.

Person vs. Supernatural The central character is challenged by forces that are not of this world. Examples A boy wizard must use his powers to protect his community from evil monsters. A boy wizard must use his powers to protect his community from evil monsters. A group of teenagers sleep in a haunted house and begin disappearing one by one. A group of teenagers sleep in a haunted house and begin disappearing one by one.

Person vs. Technology The central character struggles with or against the forces of technology. Examples A group of strangers gets stuck in an elevator. A group of strangers gets stuck in an elevator. A teenage boy is pursued by robots from space that transform into cars. A teenage boy is pursued by robots from space that transform into cars.

Practice Read each description, identify the antagonist (opposing force) and the type of conflict. Example An archeologist attempts to escape a hidden temple overrun by a vampire army. Antagonist: Vampire army Conflict Type: Person vs. Supernatural

Now, for some fun… Watch the following cartoon and analyze the plot structure. Also take note of what kind of conflicts you see.

Today’s Reflection Find two quotes that show an external conflict in your novel. Be sure to explain what type of conflict your quote shows and it’s importance in the novel. Find two quotes that show an external conflict in your novel. Be sure to explain what type of conflict your quote shows and it’s importance in the novel. Find two quotes that show internal conflicts. Be sure to explain what type of conflict your quote shows and it’s importance in the novel. Find two quotes that show internal conflicts. Be sure to explain what type of conflict your quote shows and it’s importance in the novel. DON’T FORGET THE CITATIONS. (AUTHOR’S LAST NAME PG#) DON’T FORGET THE CITATIONS. (AUTHOR’S LAST NAME PG#)