1. Plot
Parts of the Story

2. What is Plot? Most stories follow a pattern.
We will study the most common pattern.
This is a way of identifying parts of a story.
Climax
Rising Action
Falling Action
Story Structure
Moment of Final Suspense
Inciting Incident
Resolution
Exposition

3. Elements of a Story Setting: time and place of story.
Conflict: a struggle between two opposing forces.

4. Exposition
Basic information about the characters and situation provided at the beginning of the story..
Characters and setting are introduced
Exposition ends when the conflict begins.
Example
A lot of little birds sit on a telephone line. They each want their own space in the world. Then the big bird comes.

5. Inciting Incident
When the conflict is introduced.
The inciting incident sets the plot in motion.
Example
Little birds mock awkward bird and exclude the outsider.

6. Rising Action Examples Events that increase the conflict’s tension.
After the inciting incident and before the climax.
Examples
Little birds all scoot out to the center of the telephone line.
Big bird sits in center; makes phone line
low in middle.
Little birds peck at big toes; start cheering. Big bird also cheers.

7. Climax Big bird’s last finger slips off the telephone line. Example
The point of greatest tension, usually when the outcome of the conflict is determined.
Main character may learn something new
A change takes place
Now the conflict can be addressed.
Example
Big bird’s last finger slips off the telephone line.

8. Falling Action Events that follow the climax.
Examples
The little birds all launch into the air. Big bird blows their feathers.
Little birds all fall from the sky naked.

9. Moment of Final Suspense
The main character is tested one last time.
Not every story has this.
May be the most exciting moment.
Example

10. Resolution
The final outcome, in which remaining conflicts or questions are either resolved or, in some stories, left open.
How the story ends.
Example
Little naked birds all run and hide safely behind the bird they mocked earlier.

11. Tips for Identifying First, identify the climax
The climax is sometimes the most exciting part of the story, but not always.
Watch for a shift in the mood of the story:
Things go from bad to good or from good to bad.

12. Review Not every story follows this pattern, but most do.
Climax
Rising Action
Falling Action
Story Structure
Moment of Final Suspense
Inciting Incident
Resolution
Exposition