1. Literary Analysis: Story Elements
Analyzing a Story

2. Parts of the Plot
Exposition: introduction of the setting, characters, and basic situation, usually found in the first few paragraphs
Conflict: the story’s central problem
Rising Action: events that increase the tension (excitement) in the story and lead up to the climax

3. Parts of the Plot (cont.)
Climax: high point of the story, when the story’s outcome (ending) becomes clear
Falling Action: events that follow the climax
Resolution: the final outcome of the story, or how it ends; this is when the main conflict or conflicts are resolved

4. Also important is the …
Theme-life lesson taught by the story; how does it apply to YOU?

5. Remember . . . Rising Action events are BEFORE the climax
Falling Action events are AFTER the climax
CLIMAX is the point when the reader knows what the outcome of the story will be