09/08/10PLOT1 Elements of a Short Story: Plot Graph Ms. R. Bokpe

09/08/10PLOT2 The Plot The pattern of action in a story The pattern of action in a story The following diagram, a plot graph, show the ingredients of the plot and the order in which they usually occur. The following diagram, a plot graph, show the ingredients of the plot and the order in which they usually occur.

09/08/10PLOT3 The Plot Graph 1) Introduction 1) Introduction -Characters -Characters -Setting -Setting -Antecedent Action -Antecedent Action 2) Rising Action 2) Rising Action -Initial Incident -Initial Incident -Complications -Complications -Crisis -Crisis 3) Climax 3) Climax 4)Falling Action 4)Falling Action -Resolution -Resolution 5) Denouement 5) Denouement

09/08/10PLOT4 1) Introduction It is the beginning of the story It is the beginning of the story Reveals the: Reveals the: A) Characters A) Characters B) Setting B) Setting C) Antecedent Action C) Antecedent Action

09/08/10PLOT5 1) Introduction A) CHARACTERS: A) CHARACTERS: The characters are the who of the story. The characters are the who of the story. These may be people, monsters or animals. These may be people, monsters or animals. They are what the story is about. They are what the story is about. The main character is also called the Protagonist. The main character is also called the Protagonist.

09/08/10PLOT6 1) Introduction B) SETTING: B) SETTING: The setting is the time and place in which the story happens. The setting is the time and place in which the story happens. The setting can sometimes make things happen in the story. The setting can sometimes make things happen in the story.

09/08/10PLOT7 1) Introduction C) ANTECEDENT ACTION: C) ANTECEDENT ACTION: The Antecedent Action is background information. The Antecedent Action is background information. This is the author telling us what happened before the action and conflict of the story begin. This is the author telling us what happened before the action and conflict of the story begin.

09/08/10PLOT8 1) Rising Action -Initial Incident The initial incident is the first state of conflict or action. The initial incident is the first state of conflict or action. Puts the story in motion. Puts the story in motion.

09/08/10PLOT9 2) Rising Action/Complications The rising action builds suspense all the way up the main crisis and climax. The rising action builds suspense all the way up the main crisis and climax. Complications are the series of events that keep the protagonist from reaching the resolution. Complications are the series of events that keep the protagonist from reaching the resolution. They are the problems the protagonist must face. They are the problems the protagonist must face.

09/08/10PLOT10 2) Rising Action -Crisis The crisis is the main complication that leads to the climax or causes it to occur. The crisis is the main complication that leads to the climax or causes it to occur. The crisis is a triggering device. The crisis is a triggering device.

09/08/10PLOT11 3)The Climax There are two types of climax There are two types of climax 1. Emotional Climax: This is the highest point of excitement in the story. 1. Emotional Climax: This is the highest point of excitement in the story. 2. Technical Climax: This is the resolution or turning point. It is here that the central character wins or loses. 2. Technical Climax: This is the resolution or turning point. It is here that the central character wins or loses.

09/08/10PLOT12 4) Falling Action This is where the events and complications begin to resolve themselves. This is where the events and complications begin to resolve themselves. It is opposite to the rising actions. The story begins to wind down. It is opposite to the rising actions. The story begins to wind down. Ends in the resolution. Ends in the resolution.

09/08/10PLOT13 4) Falling Action -Resolution The resolution is the solution to the problem. The resolution is the solution to the problem. It is where the problem is worked out. It is where the problem is worked out.

09/08/10PLOT14 5) Falling Action -Denouement A French word for untying the knot. A French word for untying the knot. This is the part of the story where all of the loose ends are tied up. This is the part of the story where all of the loose ends are tied up. It tells the reader how the resolution was reached. It tells the reader how the resolution was reached.