1. RL.6.2
Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details Key Ideas and Details

2. RL.6.3
Describe how a particular story’s or drama’s plot unfolds in a series of episodes as well as how the characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution. Key Ideas and Details

3. Identifying the Elements of A Plot Diagram

4. Plot Diagram 3 4 2 1 5

5. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

6. Plot (def.)
Plot is the organized pattern or sequence of events that make up a story.
Every plot is made up of a series of incidents (fancy word for events) that are related to one another.
The events are linked by cause and effect- earlier events advance the plot
by bringing about later ones.

7. Exposition younger terms: Introduction moderate terms: Initiating Conflict
beginning of a story which:
establishes the setting
introduces the main characters & gives background info.
describes the situation the characters find themselves in
(beginning conflict)

8. Setting Where is the main character? What is it like there?
Time and place in which the action occurs
Where is the main character?
What is it like there?
Name of the place?
“time” may be established as a historical era, the present, or the future, the season of the year, or the hour of the day
“place” can be as general as “outer space: or as specific as a particular street

9. “Fan Club” Rona Maynard
Exposition
Main Character: Laura
Setting: Monday, rainy, damp, cold, school
Beginning conflict: Laura dreads going to school because she’ll have to face “them” again, the cold, unkind, and exclusive tight little group that includes Terri Pierce, Diane Goddard, Carol, Steve, Bill, and Nancy.

10. 2. Rising Action A building of interest, suspense, and tension rises
Characters try to solve a problem, but the situation usually grows worse before the problem gets solved.

11. Rising Action
Laura tries to avoid them, but they’re everywhere and now she worries what the group is plotting when she overhears them say, “It’ll be a riot! I just can’t wait to see her face…”
Laura tries to lay low, but Rachel, a geeky, young girl Laura has been friends with since a young age, draws attention to her.
Even though Laura likes Rachel, she tries to politely disassociate herself with Rachel because she is very “nerdy” compared to the “cool” kids that Laura is afraid of.
Laura is bothered by how kids discriminate and treat others.
Laura worries the group is laughing at her and what the group is doing with these “little cards”.

12. As Laura presents her speech on eliminating prejudice and defending people’s dignity, she worries all the snickers are directed toward her.
As Rachel gives her speech, Diane’s group heckle and mimic her, and Laura becomes angry at their treatment of Rachel.

13. 3. Climax
Tension that has been building reaches its peak or highest point
This is the turning point of the story.
Usually the main character comes face to face with a conflict…conflict is at its worst
The main character will change in some way.

14. Climax
Standing at the back of the room, Diane’s group are applauding sarcastically, wildly, and maliciously holding the cards Laura’s been worried about all day.
It turns out the cards were directed at Rachel, with a fat frizzy-haired girl drawn on them and stating, HORTENSKY FAN CLUB and they invite Laura to take a card and clap along.

15. 4. Falling Action
Tension decreases as the conflict(s) begin(s) to be settled

16. Falling Action
Laura takes the card and claps along with the very people she hates.

17. 5. Resolution
The story comes to a reasonable ending, a satisfactory close
The writer tells what the main character(s) feels or will do now that the conflict is settled
In layman’s terms, it’s your “happily ever after”.

18. Resolution
Laura will now be a part of the very group she hates, to avoid being a target, even though she knows it’s wrong.
She will have to live with feeling horrible at how she made Rachel feel and knowing she went against the very things her speech proclaimed were important.

19. Putting It All Together
1. Exposition
2. Rising Action
3. Climax
4. Falling Action
5. Resolution
Beginning of Story
Middle of Story
End of Story

20. Plot Warm-Up Read “The Other Frog Prince”
Complete a plot diagram identifying the:
Exposition
Rising Action
Climax
Falling Action
Resolution

21. Once upon a time there was a frog.
Read the following story and identify the plot parts
Once upon a time there was a frog.
One day when he was sitting on his lily pad, he saw a beautiful princess sitting by the pond. He hopped in the water, swam over to her, and poked his head out of the weeds.
“Pardon me, O beautiful princess, “ he said in his most sad and pathetic voice. “I wonder if you could help me.”

22. The princess was about to jump up and run, but she felt sorry for the frog with the sad and pathetic voice.
So she asked, “What can I do to help you, little frog?”
“Well,” said the frog. “I’m not really a frog, but a handsome prince who was turned into a frog by a wicked witch’s spell. And the spell can only be broken by the kiss of a beautiful princess.”

23. The princess thought about this for a second, then lifted the frog from the pond and kissed him.
“I was just kidding,” said the frog.
The frog jumped back into the pond and the princess wiped the frog slime off her lips.
-Jon Scieszka

24. Once upon a time there was a frog.
Exposition: main character(s)/ setting/ beginning problem.
main character
Once upon a time there was a frog.
One day when he was sitting on his lily pad, he saw a beautiful princess sitting by the pond. He hopped in the water, swam over to her, and poked his head out of the weeds.
“Pardon me, O beautiful princess, “ he said in his most sad and pathetic voice. “I wonder if you could help me.”
setting
setting
beginning problem

25. Rising Action: The princess learns the frog’s problem and decides to help him.
The princess was about to jump up and run, but she felt sorry for the frog with the sad and pathetic voice.
So she asked, “What can I do to help you, little frog?”
“Well,” said the frog. “I’m not really a frog, but a handsome prince who was turned into a frog by a wicked witch’s spell. And the spell can only be broken by the kiss of a beautiful princess.”
rising action
rising action

26. rising action
The princess thought about this for a second, then lifted the frog from the pond and kissed him.

27. Climax: The frog reveals the truth.
“I was just kidding,” said the frog. The frog jumped back into the pond and the princess wiped the frog slime off her lips. -Jon Scieszka
Climax: The frog reveals the truth.

28. The princess thought about this for a second, then lifted the frog from the pond and kissed him.
“I was just kidding,” said the frog.
The frog jumped back into the pond and the princess wiped the frog slime off her lips.
-Jon Scieszka
falling action
resolution
Falling Action: The frog makes a getaway.
Resolution: The frog goes back to his normal life and the princess deals with having kissed a frog.

30. What lesson about life do we learn from the story?
Think about the princess.
What did she learn from this experience?
How do you think she might act differently in the future because of this experience?

31. Androcles from Aesop’s Fables
A slave named Androcles once escaped from his master and fled to the forest. As he was wandering about there he came upon a Lion lying down moaning and groaning. At first he turned to flee, but finding that the Lion did not pursue him, he turned back and went up to him. As he came near, the Lion put out his paw, which was all swollen and bleeding, and Androcles found that a huge thorn had got into it, and was causing all the pain. He pulled out the thorn and bound up the paw of the Lion, who was soon able to rise and lick the hand of Androcles like a dog. Then the Lion took Androcles to his cave, and every day used to bring him meat from which to live. But shortly afterwards both Androcles and the Lion were captured, and the slave was sentenced to be thrown to the Lion, after the latter had been kept without food for several days. The Emperor and all his Court came to see the spectacle, and Androcles was led out into the middle of the arena. Soon the Lion was let loose from his den, and rushed bounding and roaring towards his victim. But as soon as he came near to Androcles he recognized his friend, and fawned upon him, and licked his hands like a friendly dog. The Emperor, surprised at this, summoned Androcles to him, who told him the whole story. Whereupon the slave was pardoned and freed, and the Lion let loose to his native forest.

32. Directions for Androcles
Read Androcles
Highlight / Underline the main events
Number each highlighted main event to match the plot part you feel it describes

33. Androcles by Aesop
How did you expect the story to develop toward the end?
The lion would eat Androcles.
What actually happens?
The Lion recognizes his friend and shocks the Emperor by licking Androcles like a friendly dog.

34. Exposition Setting: Forest / a long time ago (BC)
Character(s): Androcles – slave
the Lion
Conflict: Androcles escapes his master to the forest, but comes upon a Lion, who is in pain.

35. Rising Action
Androcles decides not to run from the Lion and stays to help him by removing a huge thorn in his paw, whereupon the Lion takes him to his cave and returns the favor by bringing him meat to live.

36. Climax
Androcles and the Lion are captured and Androcles is sentenced to be thrown to the starved Lion.

37. Falling Action
The Lion recognizes Androcles and shocks the Emperor and his court by licking his friend.

38. Resolution
Androcles is freed and the Lion is let loose in the forest.

41. All summer long, the grasshopper hopped about, singing his happy-go-lucky song. All summer long, the ant scurried about, finding seeds to haul back to his storehouse. One day the grasshopper asked the ant why he never stopped working. Said the grasshopper, smugly, “You are missing the most beautiful part of life-these long and lovely summer days.” The ant paused, then said, “Long and lovely summer days do not last forever.” Then he hustled back to work. Months passed. The days became short and cold; the nights, long and colder. Each day the grasshopper searched desperately for bits of food but often went hungry. The ant stayed in his storehouse, eating his food and occasionally emerging to check on the weather. One day, the grasshopper happened to be shivering nearby when the ant popped out. He begged the ant to spare him a bit of food. The ant looked at the grasshopper. He recalled the grasshopper saying that the ant was missing the most beautiful part of life. Finally, the ant said, “I happen to think that this is the most beautiful part of life, when I feel safe, knowing I have made wise plans for the winter.” Then the ant went back into his cozy den, and the grasshopper realized what a fool he had been.

42. setting main char. main char.
All summer long, the grasshopper hopped about, singing his happy-go-lucky song. All summer long, the ant scurried about, finding seeds to haul back to his storehouse. One day the grasshopper asked the ant why he never stopped working. Said the grasshopper, smugly, “You are missing the most beautiful part of life-these long and lovely summer days.” The ant paused, then said, “Long and lovely summer days do not last forever.” Then he hustled back to work.
main char.
main char.

43. All summer long, the grasshopper hopped about, singing his happy-go- lucky song. All summer long, the ant scurried about, finding seeds to haul back to his storehouse. One day the grasshopper asked the ant why he never stopped working. Said the grasshopper, smugly, “You are missing the most beautiful part of life-these long and lovely summer days.” The ant paused, then said, “Long and lovely summer days do not last forever.” Then he hustled back to work.
Beginning Conflict:
The ant’s working hard preparing for winter while the grasshopper is just enjoying life and not preparing.

44. ***The summer days are shorter and the nights longer and colder.
Months passed. The days became short and cold; the nights, long and colder. Each day the grasshopper searched desperately for bits of food but often went hungry. The ant stayed in his storehouse, eating his food and occasionally emerging to check on the weather. One day, the grasshopper happened to be shivering nearby when the ant popped out. He begged the ant to spare him a bit of food. The ant looked at the grasshopper. He recalled the grasshopper saying that the ant was missing the most beautiful part of life. Finally, the ant said, “I happen to think that this is the most beautiful part of life, when I feel safe, knowing I have made wise plans for the winter.” Then the ant went back into his cozy den, and the grasshopper realized what a fool he had been.
Rising Action: (things that cause you to feel anxious for the character- suspense builds in the Rising Action).
***The summer days are shorter and the nights longer and colder.
***The grasshopper doesn’t have any food; He is hungry and cold.

45. All summer long, the grasshopper hopped about, singing his happy-go-lucky song. All summer long, the ant scurried about, finding seeds to haul back to his storehouse. One day the grasshopper asked the ant why he never stopped working. Said the grasshopper, smugly, “You are missing the most beautiful part of life-these long and lovely summer days.” The ant paused, then said, “Long and lovely summer days do not last forever.” Then he hustled back to work. Months passed. The days became short and cold; the nights, long and colder. Each day the grasshopper searched desperately for bits of food but often went hungry. The ant stayed in his storehouse, eating his food and occasionally emerging to check on the weather. One day, the grasshopper happened to be shivering nearby when the ant popped out. He begged the ant to spare him a bit of food. The ant looked at the grasshopper. He recalled the grasshopper saying that the ant was missing the most beautiful part of life. Finally, the ant said, “I happen to think that this is the most beautiful part of life, when I feel safe, knowing I have made wise plans for the winter.” Then the ant went back into his cozy den, and the grasshopper realized what a fool he had been.
Climax

46. Falling Action: The ant says “No”.
All summer long, the grasshopper hopped about, singing his happy-go-lucky song. All summer long, the ant scurried about, finding seeds to haul back to his storehouse. One day the grasshopper asked the ant why he never stopped working. Said the grasshopper, smugly, “You are missing the most beautiful part of life-these long and lovely summer days.” The ant paused, then said, “Long and lovely summer days do not last forever.” Then he hustled back to work. Months passed. The days became short and cold; the nights, long and colder. Each day the grasshopper searched desperately for bits of food but often went hungry. The ant stayed in his storehouse, eating his food and occasionally emerging to check on the weather. One day, the grasshopper happened to be shivering nearby when the ant popped out. He begged the ant to spare him a bit of food. The ant looked at the grasshopper. He recalled the grasshopper saying that the ant was missing the most beautiful part of life. Finally, the ant said, “I happen to think that this is the most beautiful part of life, when I feel safe, knowing I have made wise plans for the winter.” Then the ant went back into his cozy den, and the grasshopper realized what a fool he had been.
Falling Action: The ant says “No”.
Falling Action

47. Remember: .
The Resolution is supposed to be about what the character will do, say, or how he/she feels NOW THAT THE THINGS ENDED UP THE WAY THEY DID. .. A TYING UP OF LOOSE ENDS.

48. All summer long, the grasshopper hopped about, singing his happy-go-lucky song. All summer long, the ant scurried about, finding seeds to haul back to his storehouse. One day the grasshopper asked the ant why he never stopped working. Said the grasshopper, smugly, “You are missing the most beautiful part of life-these long and lovely summer days.” The ant paused, then said, “Long and lovely summer days do not last forever.” Then he hustled back to work. Months passed. The days became short and cold; the nights, long and colder. Each day the grasshopper searched desperately for bits of food but often went hungry. The ant stayed in his storehouse, eating his food and occasionally emerging to check on the weather. One day, the grasshopper happened to be shivering nearby when the ant popped out. He begged the ant to spare him a bit of food. The ant looked at the grasshopper. He recalled the grasshopper saying that the ant was missing the most beautiful part of life. Finally, the ant said, “I happen to think that this is the most beautiful part of life, when I feel safe, knowing I have made wise plans for the winter.” Then the ant went back into his cozy den, and the grasshopper realized what a fool he had been.
Resolution: The ant is warm, well-fed, and happy in his cozy den while the grasshopper will more than likely freeze or starve to death. …awww …that’s just mean…No one said all stories end happily.
Resolution

49. Can I please have some food?
No!
You really should enjoy life more!
Awwwww…poor little grasshopper

51. Exit- Read and Create a Plot Mountain for “Flowers and Freckle Cream” by Elizabeth Ellis