Unit 1: Into the Unknown Notes on Plot

Plot The sequence of events in a story. 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.

Conflict Conflict is the main struggle in a story. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Foreshadowing Hints in a story about future events. Hints in a story about future events.

The Freytag Pyramid A visual representation of a short-story plot. A visual representation of a short-story plot.

Parallel Plot 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 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. This can also occur when characters start in separate storylines then converge later in the story.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Diction Word choice and its effect on the reader. Word choice and its effect on the reader.

Denotation The literal, dictionary definition of a word. The literal, dictionary definition of a word.

Connotation The inferred, interpreted emotional meaning of a word. The inferred, interpreted emotional meaning of a word. Words can have a positive or negative connotation based on their context. Words can have a positive or negative connotation based on their context.