Plot Unit 1: Fiction

Fiction is like a spider’s web, attached ever so lightly perhaps, but still attached to life at all four corners. —Virginia Woolf

What is fiction? Fiction is a genre, or category of literary composition, that includes any work of prose that tells an invented or imaginary story.

What are the two main forms of fiction? The two main forms of fiction are the short story and the novel.

What are your favorite types of fiction? Realistic fiction Mystery Science fiction Romance Historical fiction Horror Fantasy Sports fiction

What are the purposes of fiction? To entertain readers To enlighten readers by sharing the human experience To provide readers with an escape from reality To teach readers empathy To help readers explore unknown worlds

What are the five elements of fiction? Plot Point of view Characters Setting Theme

Plot Plot is a series of related events that drive a story.

What do you think makes a plot interesting and memorable? A story to me means a plot where there is some surprise. Because that is how life is— full of surprises. —Isaac Bashevis Singer A story to me means a plot where there is some surprise. Because that is how life is— full of surprises. —Isaac Bashevis Singer

A plot is the frame that gives a story its structure. There are five elements of plot:

The exposition is the introduction to the plot. In the exposition –characters are introduced –setting is revealed –mood or tone is established

In the rising action, the main character tries to solve a problem and encounters several obstacles along the way, resulting in a conflict.

Conflict is what drives the plot. There are four types of conflict: –person versus person –person versus society –person versus nature –person versus self

The climax, or turning point, is the high point of interest and suspense in the plot.

The falling action consists of all the events that follow the climax. These events include the results of the main character’s action or decision.

The resolution, or conclusion, is the point at which the central conflict is ended, or resolved.

A story’s plot organization is often framed by time. Chronological order unfolds events in the order in which they occur. Flashback interrupts time sequence and presents an event that occurred earlier or in the past. Foreshadowing provides a hint or clue to events that will occur in the future or later in the story.

A Time Line can help you understand a story’s plot organization. This Time Line is for “The Open Window,” by Saki. Vera says Mrs. Sappleton keeps the window open in case her dead husband and brothers return. Mr. Nuttel bolts from the house when he sees three ghostly figures and a dog walking toward the house. Framton Nuttel, a nervous man who is new to the area, arrives at Mrs. Sappleton’s home for a visit. Mrs. Sappleton’s niece, Vera, points out the open window and tells Mr. Nuttel about her aunt’s “great tragedy.” Mrs. Sappleton enters the room, and she and Mr. Nuttel chat; she keeps looking out the window as they talk. Vera attributes Mr. Nuttel’s quick exit to a fear of dogs—a fear based on Nuttel’s prior experience with dogs.

To understand a story’s plot organization, make a Time Line of events for a fairy tale or folk tale.

Converting a Time Line into a Plot Diagram can reveal which events fall into each part of a story’s plot. Climax Rising Action Falling Action Exposition Resolution PlotDiagram Framton Nuttel, a nervous man who is new to the area, arrives at Mrs. Sappleton’s home for a visit. Mrs. Sappleton’s niece, Vera, points out the open window and tells Mr. Nuttel about her aunt’s “great tragedy.” She says her aunt keeps the window open in case her dead husband and brothers return. Mr. Nuttel sees three figures outside the window and thinks they are ghosts. Mr. Nuttel bolts from the house without saying good-bye. Vera attributes Mr. Nuttel’s quick exit to a fear of dogs—a fear based on Nuttel’s prior experience with dogs.

Convert the Time Line you created for a fairy tale or folk tale into a Plot Diagram. Climax Rising Action Falling Action Exposition Resolution PlotDiagram

SUMMARY: Plot A good plot must –advance the action –relate events in a logical, easy-to-follow order –engage the main character in some type of conflict –provide an element of surprise or suspense –provoke questions in the readers’ minds