{ Unit 2: Epic Stories Notes on Plot

 The sequence of events in a story.  Chronological Order: events happen in real time.  Stream of Consciousness: events happen as the characters think about them. Plot

 Conflict is the main struggle in a story.  External Conflict is a struggle between one character and some other, outside force like other people or the environment.  Internal Conflict is a struggle that takes place within a character’s own heart and mind. Conflict

 The opening of a story where the characters and their conflict(s) are introduced.  Sometimes called the “exposition.” Basic Situation

 A hurdle or barrier that increases the danger, tension, or difficulty faced by the characters when trying to resolve the conflict. Complication

 The key scene in a story. This is sometimes called the “turning” point.  The climax is where the conflict is resolved. Climax

 Resolution is the end of the story. The reader knows how the characters will turn out.  Resolution is sometimes called, “denouement”. Resolution

 Going back in time in the story to get some background on the characters and conflicts. Flashback

 Going into the future to get background on characters or conflicts. Flashforward

 Hints in a story about future events. Foreshadowing

 This can occur when characters start out together and then separate to pursue their own storylines. They may meet up again at a later point.  This can also occur when characters start in separate storylines then converge later in the story. Parallel Plot

 The feeling the reader gets as he or she reads the text. Mood

 The author or speaker’s attitude toward the subject matter. Tone

 The tug and pull between what a reader wants or hopes will happen in a story and what actually does happen in a story. Tension/Suspense

 The insight into life or moral truth the author communicates through the plot. Theme/Moral Lesson/Premise

 A reference to some person, character, work of literature, or historical event outside the plot of the story.  Frequently, characters and lines from the works of William Shakespeare and the Bible are used in allusions. Allusion

 A person, place, or thing in a story that has both a literal meaning and a figurative (or interpretive) meaning. Symbol

 A short story within a story that adds background or proves a point. Anecdote