1. The Plot Diagram: the essential elements of any good story

2. The Plot Diagram:
An easy way to visualize and talk about the way in which the elements of a plot progress through a story you are reading…
Also shows a clear relationship between the elements: they all work together!
Not all elements of the plot diagram are present in all stories. For example: Cliffhangers!

3. Exposition:
Gives us information we need to know to understand the rest of the story
Introduces main character(s)
Informs us about setting
Gives back-stories

4. Exposition:
Exposition occurs at the beginning of our story

5. Inciting Incident:
The event that starts, or “ignites”, the main conflict
Occurs between the protagonist and the antagonist (hero v. villain)
The main problem to be solved starts here
to incite: (v.) to stir, encourage, or urge on; to stimulate or prompt to action: to incite a crowd to riot. Most often used negatively.

6. Inciting Incident:
The inciting incident occurs before the rising action of our story

7. Rising Action:
The important events that happen after the inciting incident but before the climax.
These events should lead
us toward the climax.

8. Rising Action: The rising action occurs after the
inciting incident and before the
climax.

9. Climax:
The events that bring the main problem or conflict to its point of highest intensity.
Very emotionally charged!
Plot at its point of
highest tension
Usually protagonist &
Antagonist involved

10. The climax occurs at the point of highest tension in our story.

11. Falling Action:
The event(s) that bring minor conflict(s) to a resolution, if any
Emotions are calming down as the climax has ended
Not a required part of
the plot

12. Falling Action:
The falling action
occurs after
the climax

13. Resolution: The event(s) that bring the main conflict to a resolution
Emotions are calm (unless there is a cliffhanger)
Not a required part of
the plot

14. Resolution:
The resolution
occurs at
the end

15. Complete Plot Diagram:
Climax
Falling Action
Resolution
Rising Action !! ?
Exposition
Inciting
Incident