Created by Mikelle Cronk Plot I can identify the components of plot: exposition, conflict, rising actions, climax, falling actions and resolution. Created by Mikelle Cronk Sycamore Elementary 5th Grade
Big Ideas for Plot... What are the 6 components of plot? How can I identify these components in a story? What is exposition? How is it determined? What is a climax? Why is it important to find the climax in a story?
What is Plot? The plot is what the story is mainly about. Basically, it is what happens in the passage. There are 6 different components of plot.
Let’s Break it Down... Think of plot as a mountain, where all the different components are placed at a certain point. Let’s take out our essential vocabulary binders and learn more about these components.
Plot Mountain... Exposition: This is the beginning of the story, where we are introduced to the characters and the setting.
Example of Exposition David Martin was three years old. He had always been a little rebel, getting into trouble at the drop of a hat. His mother had often grown weary and irritable as she tried to instill some sense of order in her wayward son. But it was an ongoing battle, one she was never sure she would win. Sometimes, she thought she would rip out all her hair before she ever got him tamed. She loved her son deeply and hated having to yell at him all the time. And though she’d never admit it, there was a part of her that was pleased by David’s sense of adventure and spirit. But there were times when it threatened to overwhelm her. Today was one of those times. While his mother was busy with the laundry down in the basement, David was busy scribbling on the kitchen wall with a purple crayon. He knew he wasn’t supposed to write on the walls, but he did it anyway. When he heard his mother start back up the stairs, he ran and hid behind the couch, thinking she couldn’t punish him if she couldn’t find him. But his mother wasn’t fooled for one minute. She knew all too well where David’s favorite hiding place was. The introduction of the story when we are introduced to the characters and setting.
Plot Mountain... Conflict: The Problem, or struggles between two opposing forces. The conflict triggers action in the story. Exposition: This is the beginning of the story, where we are introduced to the characters and the setting.
Different types of Conflict... The conflict in a story is usually introduced in the beginning of the piece. There are 4 different types of conflict...Let’s take a look.
Person Vs. Person... This type of conflict finds the main character in conflict with another character, human or not human. “The new one is the most beautiful of all; he is so young and pretty.” And the old swans bowed their heads before him. Then he felt quite ashamed, and hid his head under his wing; for he did not know what to do, he was so happy, and yet not at all proud. He had been persecuted and despised for his ugliness, and now he heard them say he was the most beautiful of all the birds. The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Anderson
Person Vs. Nature... This type of conflict finds the main character in conflict with the forces of nature. It´s a Truffula Seed. It´s the last one of all! You´re in charge of the last of the Truffula Seeds. And Truffula Trees are what everyone needs. Plant a new Truffula. Treat it with care. Give it clean water. And feed it fresh air. Grow a forest. Protect it from axes that hack. Then the Lorax and all of his friends may come back. The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
Person Vs. Society... This type of conflict has the main character in conflict with a larger group: a community, society, culture, etc. “I’m tired of living in a hole,” said Jenny. “Let’s fight for freedom!” cried Bouncer. “We’ll be soldiers! Rough-riding Rowdies! I’ll be the general and commander-in-chief!” The Island of the Skog by Steven Kellogg
Person Vs. Self... In this type of conflict, the main character experiences some kind of inner conflict. Matilda didn’t know what to do. She had lied to her parents about staying up late playing video games. She was feeling very guilty. Should she tell her parents the truth, or continue on with the lie.
Plot Mountain... Climax: The most exciting part of the story. The turn of events, the conflict begins to get solved. Falling Actions: Events that happen after the Climax. The story begins to wrap up. Rising Actions: Events in the story leading up to the climax. Conflict: The Problem, or struggles between two opposing forces. The conflict triggers action in the story. Resolution: How the conflict is solved. Usually comes at the end of the story. Exposition: This is the beginning of the story, where we are introduced to the characters and the setting.
Let’s take a look...
Which component of the plot is the most exciting part of the story? Exposition Rising action climax resolution [Default] [MC Any] [MC All]
Which component of the plot introduces the characters and setting Rising action exposition resolution conflict [Default] [MC Any] [MC All]
Which component of the plot is the sequences of events leading up to the climax? Rising action conflict climax Falling action [Default] [MC Any] [MC All]
Which component of the plot is the solution to the conflict? exposition Rising action Falling action resolution [Default] [MC Any] [MC All]
Which component of the plot is a problem that the character might face? resolution exposition Rising action conflict [Default] [MC Any] [MC All]
More practice... We are going to listen to a song. As we listen, think about plot and what the plot mountain looks like. I want you to raise your hand as the song reaches the climax and then lower it when you think we have moved on to the falling actions. Heads down and let’s see what you got...
Listen Carefully...
Let’s work on Plot together... I am going to read a story and after we read we are going to fill in a plot map. Listen carefully and see if you can identify plot before we do it as a class...
On a sticky note, see if you can remember the 6 components of plot and how they fall on the plot mountain. Closure...