1. Plot
Plot is the literary element that describes the structure of a story. It shows arrangement of events and actions within a story. Your speculative fiction will tell a story.

2. 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 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.
Exposition: the start of the story, the situation before the action starts
Resolution: the conclusion, the tying together of all of the threads

3. Without conflict, there is no plot.
Plot: Conflict
Conflict is the dramatic struggle between two forces in a story.
Without conflict, there is no plot.

4. Plot: Types of Conflict
Character vs Character
Character vs Nature
Character vs Society
Character vs Self

5. Plot: Character vs. Character Conflict
This type of conflict finds the main character in conflict with another character, human or not human.
“Stop!”
Her grandfather’s shout made Ramaema jump. Everyone went quiet. “I have travelled far, and I have seen the nabe cutting down trees, destroying our world. If we help them, we make our own ruin.”
Moawa defended himself. “The forest will return: We make clearings, too, for growing bananas and casava. When we move on, trees soon cover our gardens…”
‘The Vanishing Rainforest’ by Richard Platt

6. Plot: Character vs. Nature Conflict
This type of conflict finds the main character in conflict with the forces of nature, which serve as the antagonist.
“Come on! Follow behind Mae Jabu! Try to keep up with her!” Dang Kiet shouted to the older children.
The Monstrous wall of water that had arisen from the sea followed them as they fled, but at last they reached safety on high ground and it fell back behind them.
“The Day of the Elephant’ by Barbara Ker Wilson

7. Plot: Character vs. Society Conflict
This type of conflict has the main character in conflict with a larger group: a community, society, culture, etc.
The Enormous Crocodile grinned at Humpy-Rumpy and said: “I’m going to fill my hungry empty tummy
With something yummy yummy yummy yummy!”
“What’s so yummy?” asked Humpy-Rumpy.
“Try to guess,” said the Crocodile. “It’s something that walks on two legs.”
“You don’t mean…” said Humpy-Rumpy. “You don’t really mean you’re going to eat a little child?”
“Of course I am. “ said the Crocodile.
“Oh, you horrid greedy grumptious brute!” cried Humpy- Rumpy. ‘The Enormous Crocodile’ by Roald Dahl

8. Plot: Character vs. Self Conflict
In this type of conflict, the main character experiences some kind of inner conflict.
I knew then that I should have owned up when I saw it in that guard’s van. Instead of sitting on my father’s dray blubbering, I should have had the guts to run back and set it free.
I’m not saying that I could have saved the species. No. But like that woman I met in the zoo, I could have done something!
‘I Saw Nothing’ by Gary Crew

9. Write short story about a night spent somewhere spooky!
Setting the scene – What exactly is frightening about the place your character is spending the night? The spooky character – include a description of the place’s reputation. Why does it strike fear into people? The character’s feelings – How does the character feel at the beginning of the story? Write about how their feelings change

10. Build up suspense – Use short sentences and drag out the events in the last couple of paragraphs
The end – Your ending should be strong. Will you reveal all or leave your readers guessing about the true nature of your gothic place?