1. Plot is the literary element that describes the structure of a story
Plot is the literary element that describes the structure of a story. A plot diagram is an organizational tool, which is used to map the significant events in a story. By placing the most significant events from a story on the plot diagram, you can visualize the key features of the story. 1
What is Plot?
Plot is the literary element that describes the structure of a story. It shows the a causal arrangement of events and actions within a story.

2. What are theTypes of Plots2
In addition, you can note that some stories follow a circular or episodic plot, and hypertextual stories can be different every time they’re read, as the reader chooses the direction that the story takes. If a story that students are working on does not fit into the triangle structure, think about why the author would choose a different story structure and how the structure has changed.
What are theTypes of Plots
Plots can be told in
Chronological order
Flashback
In media res (in the middle of things) when the story starts in the middle of the action without exposition

3. Some readers find Freytag’s Pyramid is oversimplified
Some readers find Freytag’s Pyramid is oversimplified. As a result, Freytag’s Pyramid is often modified so that it extends slightly before and after the primary rising and falling action. You might think of this part of the chart as similar to the warm-up and cool-down for the story. 3
What is Plot Structure?
Freytag’s Pyramid is often modified so that it extends slightly before and after the primary rising and falling action. You might think of this part of the chart as similar to the warm-up and cool- down for the story.

4. What are Plot Components?4
Exposition: The mood and conditions existing at the beginning of the story. The setting is identified. The main characters with their positions, circumstances and relationships to one another are established. The exciting force or initial conflict is introduced. Sometimes called the “Narrative HOOK” this begins the conflict that continues throughout the story.
Rising Action: The series of events, conflicts, and crises in the story that lead up to the climax, providing the progressive intensity, and complicate the conflict.
Climax: The turning point of the story. A crucial event takes place and from this point forward, the protagonist moves toward his inevitable end. The event may be either an action or a mental decision that the protagonist makes.
Falling Action: The events occurring from the time of the climax to the end of the story. The main character may encounter more conflicts in this part of the story, but the end is inevitable.
Resolution/Denouement: The tying up of loose ends and all of the threads in the story. The conclusion. The hero character either emerges triumphant or is defeated at this point.
What are Plot Components?
Climax: the turning point, the most intense moment—either mentally or in action
Rising Action: the series of conflicts and crisis in the story that lead to the climax
Falling Action: all of the action which follows the climax
Exposition: the start of the story, the situation before the action starts
Resolution: the conclusion, the tying together of all of the threads

5. 5
What is Conflict?
Conflict is the dramatic struggle between two forces in a story. Without conflict, there is no plot.

6. What are the Types of Conflict6
What are the Types of Conflict
Person vs Person
(often seen in the form of two characters against each other; it doesn’t have to be physical. It can be a battle between ideas).
Person vs Nature
(this can include weather, objects, activities … )
External
conflict
Person vs Society
(main character(s) encounters struggle with the laws or beliefs of a group)
Person vs Self
(the struggle in one’s head)
Internal
conflict
There are other types of conflict that I may also choose to cover with you in class.

7. What are the minor types of conflict?
Person vs. technology
(Protagonist battles against machines or other types of tech)
Person vs. the supernatural
(Protagonist battles against the unknown, like ghosts, devils, spirits, etc.)

8. In the following sentences, I have given you some different types of situations. Identify the type of conflict in each situation: 8
1. "If student A and student B decide to fight over something, that could be described as a conflict between two...?" -- the answer would be a conflict between two people.
Man vs Man
2. "If student A has problems getting to school during the winter because of the snowfall and icy conditions, this could be described as a conflict or struggle with...?"
Man vs Nature
3. "If a person has problems finding a job because he/she does not have the education typically seen as necessary for getting a job, this could be seen as a conflict between this person and...?"
Man vs Society
4. “A person has problems with his conscience because he/she is being pressured to treat another student poorly, but yet wants to remain popular with his/her friends.
Man vs Self

9. What is a SUBPLOT? 9
A subplot is a secondary story line that is not equal in strength and intensity to the main plot. It must be relevant to the main plot.
Subplots may:
create the feeling of more life-like main characters.
reflect and enhance the action of the main plot.
influence the direction of the main plot.
provide comic relief.

10. 1010
Examples of subplots:
1. In the main plot of a romance, one or both of the main characters may resist commitment. Another couple in the story, perhaps friends, confidantes, or coworkers of the main characters, are also falling in love but having problems that show aspects of the love relationship the primary story line does not. The main characters, through their involvement with the other couple, may learn from what they see and come to realize their own love for each other should not be denied.
(Examples are continued on next slide)

11. 1111
Examples of subplots:
2. In a story of conflict between a parent and a child, subplots involving a neighbor or friend's child may give some perspective on the main plot. Another subplot might be a visit from a grandparent that casts the parent back into the child role, an experience that helps that parent recall what his own childhood was like and results in a better understanding of his own child's behavior.

12. We’ve heard of Parallel Plots,
1212
We’ve heard of Parallel Plots,
BUT
What is it anyway??
Parallel Plots: Plots in which each main character has a separate but related story line that merges in the end.
Examples:
Murderer and Detective
Two family members with opposite goals or methods
Rivals for a job
Old enemies
(parallel plots to be continued on next slide ….)

13. 1313
Parallel Plots
In the plot outline, main character 1 has the first section. The story then moves to main character 2 and alternates between the two characters until they come together in the end. Each main character and his or her plot receive equal time. Each segment of the story moves the plot forward in time. An occasional scene may overlap in time, but the general movement should be forward.
In the parallel plot, the characters might start out together and separate to follow their own paths. Or they may not connect until the end. Their story lines are related and the climax occurs when the two come together at the end.
(To be continued on the next slide)

14. 1414
You have learned about PLOT (and the story-plot triangle and its components – exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution), about conflict, subplots, AND you have learned all about parallel plots.
Now, I would like for you to turn to your partner and explain what each of these components are and where they occur in the story. I would also like for you to give an example – other than the ones I have used.
Good luck and get started!!

15. 1515
Parallel Plots
OK – let’s take all of the information on Parallel Plots that you have learned about in the last two slides and try to put this in terms both you and I can understand.
Have any of you ever seen the movie, “Crash”? In this movie there are many different characters and each of them has their own separate story. Throughout the movie, the story line of all characters is played out. You are thoroughly confused trying to keep up with each character and wondering how this all relates, and then,all of a sudden toward the end of the story, you start seeing how each of these characters come together at the end through one common factor. Will Smith’s movie, “Seven Pounds” was similar to “Crash.”
And if you have never seen these movies, have you (shhh, I won’t tell) ever watched a Soap Opera on TV? Think about all the different characters, but somehow, many of them seem to have something in common with another character in the show. The events of their lives cross somewhere and at some time throughout the duration of the show. Yip, you got it ---- parallel plots.