Brought to you by powerpointpros.com Plot Structure

What is Plot Structure? Plot structure is like the framework of a story. The plot structure usually includes a MAIN CONFLICT, and it is usually resolved by the end of the book.

What are the parts of Plot Structure? Plot structure has certain parts. Here, you’ll see what they are…

EXPOSITION The exposition of the story is like an introduction to the story. The main characters, setting, and main conflict is often introduced in the exposition.

RISING ACTION The Rising Action of a story comes towards the middle of it. Plot intensification, twists, and complications are usually found here. The main conflict still hasn’t been resolved.

CLIMAX The climax is like the turning point of the story. It’s by far the most exciting part, and usually, the conflict is resolved here. This is the part that is usually the most intense in the story.

FALLING ACTION This includes most of the ending actions in the story. The major conflict is resolved in the climax, so this is more of the result of the climax. The story is wrapping up soon.

RESOLUTION This is the end of the story.

Exploring Plot Structure You can identify the different parts of a story using a Plot Map (or Story Map.) You’ll see an example of a story map soon.

Plot Map (or Story Map) Main Conflict Setting (Place, time) Rising Action Events Climax Falling Action Theme, Message, Moral, Lesson Characters Fill in the setting first Try to identify the main conflict. Then, fill in these events (make sure to use the important ones!) Write down the climax. Check if the main conflict that you wrote down was solved here. Fill in all of these events. If there is a theme, message, moral, or lesson, write it in here. Fill in the characters as you see fit.

You try it! Use this short story below to fill in a plot map of your own! Ronald was a very small boy who lived in Massachusetts. He didn’t have any friends, and was constantly picked on. There was this one boy, Dave, who was a bully to him. He constantly called Ron names and knocked over all of his stuff. He drew in a crowd, and before Ronald knew it, his entire class was against him, and were always picking on him. But there was one other boy, Tim, who didn’t like what Dave had started. So when Tim saw Dave picking on Ron, he yelled, “STOP!” One of the teachers heard him, and asked what the commotion was about. Tim and Ron told him, and he gave Dave a punishment for being a bully to Ron. Dave was never mean to him again after that, and Ron and Tim became best friends.

Fill in the plot map! Main Conflict Setting (Place, time) Rising Action Events Climax Falling Action Theme, Message, Moral, Lesson Main Characters Massachusetts Ron is being bullied by Dave. Dave bullied Ron. He got the entire class involved. The whole class began to bully Ron. Tim didn’t like what he saw. Tim yelled, “STOP!” And Dave was punished. Dave never bullied Ron again. Tim and Ron became friends. You should stand up for people when they’re being put down. Ron Dave Tim

On Your Own As you’re reading books, try and “fill in” a mental “plot map.” See if you can identify the rising action, climax, main conflict, falling action, theme, main characters, and setting.