1. Plot Peak
Climax n o t i c F a l A l i n g g n A i c s t i i o R n
Resolution/
Denouement
Exposition/
Introduction

2. The Setting The setting is where and when the story takes place
General Setting – Time period, geographic area, level of realism
Specific Setting – An office, an apartment, a spaceship

3. Characters
Characters are the people, animals, or things that the story is about
Main Character – the primary and most important characters in the story; these characters are affected by the story
Supporting characters – characters who have smaller parts; these characters affect the story

4. Characters, continued
Protagonist – The “good guy,” the hero, the main character (usually the one we ‘root’ for)
Antagonist – The “bad guy,” the person who stands in the way of the protagonist

5. Point of View From what perspective is the story told?
First person – POV of the main character, uses “I”
Second person – POV of the reader, uses “you”
Third person – POV of an outside observer, uses “he” & “she”
Limited – the observer can only “see” what happens
Omniscient – the observer knows the characters’ thoughts, can “see” inside their heads

6. Plot The plot of the story is what happens in the story
Almost every plot is based on a conflict
Person vs. Person
Person vs. Self
Person vs. Nature
Person vs. Society

7. The Plot Curve
Exposition – Beginning of the story; characters are introduced, setting is established, tone and mood are set
Rising Action – The conflict begins; the protagonist works towards settling the conflict
Climax – The pinnacle of the story; the protagonist solves the conflict (or doesn’t)

8. Plot Curve, continued
Falling Action – The specifics of the climax play out; what happens as a result of the climax
Resolution (Denouement) – Loose ends are wrapped up; the reader sees the new and changed protagonist; life goes on

10. Tone, Mood, Theme
Tone – The attitude of the author toward the story – sarcastic, anger, affection, approval, disapproval
Mood – The emotion of the story – happy, sad, depressing, tragic
Theme – The “moral” of the story – what message does the story send?