1. Plot
and Its Parts

2. Plot The sequence of events in a literary work. There are five parts.
Exposition
Rising Action
Climax
Falling Action
Resolution

3. Exposition
In the beginning. . .
In the plot of a story or drama, the exposition is the part of the work that introduces the characters, the setting, and the conflict may be introduced.

4. Rising Action All events leading up to the climax.
The excitement
grows . . .
All events leading up to the climax.
Inciting incident – the incident that introduces the conflict
Development – the time period in which the conflict increases

5. Climax The highest point of interest or suspense in the plot.
It doesn’t get any more exciting. . .
The highest point of interest or suspense in the plot.
The moment everything changes.

6. Falling Action
It’s all downhill from here. . .
All the events that occur after the climax and lead to the resolution
The final outcome of the story is not yet decided

7. Resolution (Denouement)
The End.
The conflict is resolved.
A general insight may be offered to the reader.

8. Elements of Plot

9. Setting
Time and place of a plot; can be stated directly or inferred by the reader

10. Conflict
Struggle between opposing forces
causes the action in a story to move forward
Without conflict, there is no plot.

11. Two Types of Conflict Internal Conflict External Conflict
Takes place within the mind of a character
The character has to make a decision
Occurs when a character has to deal with an external force such as another character, nature, society

12. Point of View
How a writer chooses to narrate a story
There are four types of point of view

13. First Person Point of View
Narrator is a character in the story
Uses first person pronouns: I, me, my, us, we, our
Everything told from that character’s perspective
This limits the information the reader receives.

14. Third Person Point of View
Omniscient
Narrator shares the thoughts, feelings, and actions of ALL characters
Is not a character in the story
Uses third person pronouns: he, she, they, them, his, her
Limited
Narrator focuses on one character
Is not a character in the story
Uses third person pronouns: he, she, they, them, his, her