1. Plot Elements and Conflict

2. “When Gertrude Grew Great”
Author’s Purpose:
Genre:
“When Gertrude Grew Great”
Subgenre:
Narrator’s Point of View:
Summarize the text:

3. Plot is the series of events in a story.
It is what happens.
Example
Gertrude talks to her teacher.
Gertrude has a dream.

4. Setting The setting is when and where the story takes place.
One story can have more than one setting.
Example
At a middle school in the present day.
10 years into the future.

5. The exposition introduces the characters and setting.
Examples?

6. Conflict
Conflict is the problem the main character faces, which drives the story.
Internal Conflict
Man vs. Self
External Conflict
Man vs. Person
Man vs. Environment
Man vs. Society
Man vs. Technology

7. As you read a story, keep your eyes open for:
Narrative Structure
Most stories can be broken into four parts.
Identifying the turning point is key.
This also help identify the main events of a story.
As you read a story, keep your eyes open for:
Foreshadowing:
Flashbacks:

8. It was rarely in the middle of the story.
Climax
The climax is the turning point of the story.
This is what the story has been building up to.
It was rarely in the middle of the story.
Example
Gertrude dreams of the future.
Many climaxes have the character:
Learn a lesson
Change

9. Rising Action The rising action is what happens before the climax.
Rising action also introduces the conflict.
Example
Gertrude gets ‘C’s.
Gertrude talks with her teacher.

10. Falling Action The falling action is what happens after the climax.
Falling action also ties things up.
Example
Gertrude tries harder.
Gertrude becomes great.
Important! - If the climax is rarely in the middle, how much falling action do you think there would be?

11. Resolution/Denouement
The resolution is how the story ends.
This is the end of the conflict.
Example
Gertrude gets a job and her own place.

12. The story revolves around the….
Helpful Hint:
The story revolves around the….
climax