Plot Short Stories

Plot Plot: Sequence of events in a literary work. Consists of exposition, complication, rising action, intensification, climax, falling action, and resolution. Involves both characters and a central conflict.

Parts of Plot Exposition: The part of the plot that introduces the characters, the setting, and the basic situation. The Exposition is your “background information.” E D C F Exposition B. G

Parts of Plot Complication: Part of the plot directly following exposition Central conflict is introduced The Complication is the first time we hear of the major conflict that must be resolved. E D F C Complication A G

Parts of Plot Rising Action: All events leading up to the climax The Rising Action can be made of just a few events or can be made of hundreds of events E D Rising Action F B G A

Parts of Plot Intensification: Specific actions/conflicts that help move the story to a high level of suspense. The Intensification is prior to the climax E Intensification F C B A G

Parts of Plot Climax: The high point of interest or suspense. The Climax is the result of the complication, rising action, and intensification. The Climax leads to the falling action and resolution. Climax D F C B A G

Parts of the Plot Falling Action: Events leading to the resolution of the central conflict. The Falling Action can contain many events, or it can contain just one event. E D Falling Action C B A G

Parts of Plot Resolution: The end of the central conflict. The Resolution does not have to be the end of the story. FYI: Events after the resolution are called the denouement. E D F C B Resolution A

Plot of Forrest Gump Exposition: The very beginning of the movie Forrest is sitting on the park bench… “If I think real hard, maybe I can remember my first pair of shoes…”

Plot of Forrest Gump Complication: Meeting Jenny on the bus to school. “Can’t sit here…”

Plot of Forrest Gump Rising Action: Jenny and Forrest become the best of friends. Forrest goes away to college Forrest goes to war

Plot of Forrest Gump Intensification: Forrest runs into Jenny at the anti-war demonstration.

Plot of Forrest Gump Climax: Jenny comes home “We were like peas and carrots again.”

Plot of Forrest Gump Falling Action: Jenny leaves again Forrest runs across the country Jenny and Forrest reunite Jenny and Forrest marry

Plot of Forrest Gump Resolution: Jenny dies