1. Literary Techniques #4 Plot Sequence Diagram
English 8
Literary Techniques #4
Plot Sequence Diagram

2. Exposition
Definition: the introduction of a story.  It describes the characters, setting and gives important  background information.
Example: “All Summer in a Day” takes place on Venus, where it rains all the time and the sun only comes out every 7 years. The protagonist is Margot.

3. Rising Action
Definition: the events of a story that build up to the ultimate conflict (climax). Usually a series of minor conflicts. Example: William is the antagonist and the conflict is set up between him and Margot. He is a bully and he is mean to her. The other students are mean to her too. They are all at school and waiting for the sun to come out.

4. Climax
Definition: the most exciting and important part of the story: the turning point of the story.
Example: “All Summer in a Day” when William and the children lock Margot in the closet and the sun comes out right afterwards.

5. Falling Action Definition: the events after the climax
Example: While Margot is in the closet, the children play outside and they enjoy the glorious sunshine. The sun eventually goes away and it begins to rain again.

6. Resolution
Definition: the part of a story that explains how everything turns out in the end.
However, there may be a cliff-hanger
Example: The children let Margot out of the closet.