1. Literary Elements
Plot

2. Plot
A series of related events in a story; each connected to the next.
The events of a plot are designed to peak the reader’s curiosity and pull the reader forward

3. Stages of a Plot Exposition Rising Action Climax Falling Action
Resolution/Denouement

4. Characters The actors in the plot. People Animals
Whatever the writer chooses

5. Character Types
Protagonist The main character in the story, or the character that dominates the narration.

6. Antagonist
The character or force that opposes the protagonist.

7. Sequence
Order in which a story’s events take place

8. Exposition (Basic Situation)
Opening of a story, when the characters and their conflicts are introduced
Retrieved from
Grandfather:  Oh. Well thank you very much. Very nice of you. Takes off hat.  Your vote of confidence is overwhelming. All right. Puts glasses on. "The Princess Bride, by S. Morgenstern, Opens book.  Chapter One.  Buttercup was raised on a small farm in the country of Florin."
Scene:  Farmhouse
Grandfather:  "Her favorite pastimes were riding her horse and tormenting the farm boy that worked there. His name was Westley, but she never called him that." Pause.  Isn't that a wonderful beginning?  Grandson:  Yeah, it's really good. 

9. Conflict
Conflict is the dramatic struggle between two forces in a story. Without conflict, there is no plot.

10. Types of Conflict External Conflict Internal Conflict Man vs Man
Man vs Nature
Man vs Society
Man vs Machine
Internal Conflict
Man vs Self

11. Complications
Problems within the Rising Action designed to make the conflict more interesting.
The Rising Action occurs when the complications of the conflict occur.

12. Climax Most exciting part Turning point Comes near the end of a story
Contains most tension
Action or mental decision from the protagonist

13. Falling Action Logical result of the climax is shown
Characters may encounter more conflicts
End is predictable

14. Resolution/Denouement
Very end of the story
Loose ends are tied up (main conflict)
Hero emerges triumphant or is defeated
“…and they lived happily
ever after.”