1. Story / Plot Lines
Plot: the series of related events that take place and work out of the major conflict.
What was a/the general plot line in The Princess Bride?
Note: The Princess Bride has two separate plot lines!

2. Primary Secondary

3. Who’s Involved?
Protagonist: the one who is FOR something. (often good guy)
(why DO we like them?) -In The Princess Bride – They are young, handsome, in love, dealt with loss, LIKE US!
Antagonist: person or force in conflict with protagonist (against)
(why don’t we like them?) In The Princess Bride – they have evil minds, ugly looks/attitudes, and are dishonest.
Who were they in The Princess Bride?

4. Conflict. . .
Conflict between protagonist and antagonist must create suspense

5. Conflict May Be . . . Man vs. Man
What was some of the man vs. man conflict in The Princess Bride?

6. Conflict can be . . . Man vs. him/herself
What was some of the man vs. him/herself conflict in The Princess Bride?

7. Conflict Can Be . . . Man vs. A Force Nature, the Dark Side, etc. . .
What was a Force that created conflict in the Princess Bride?

8. Conflict may be . . .
Physical (Face Off, Rambo, Cast Away, Alien, The Passion; action movies)
Emotional: (Pretty Woman, What Dreams May Come, Riding in Cars with Boys Chick Flicks)
Mental (Search for Bobby Fischer, Dogma, Beautiful Mind, Seven)
What were some Physical, Emotional, and Mental Conflicts in The Princess Bride?

9. Plot Structure
Your story needs 6 key points for maximum audience interest. 4
DIAGRAM OF PLOT STRUCTURE

10. Plot Structure . . . 1. Preliminary Situation
Clearly defined explanation of events leading up to this point BEFORE action begins.
Creates EMPATHY for characters
“feeling with” a character (sympathy is “feeling for”)
for the audience to feel involved, they must have empathy for one of the characters
*MUST establish why we like the protagonist
Why do we like Wesley and Buttercup? 1
DIAGRAM OF PLOT STRUCTURE

11. Plot Structure . . . 2. Initial Incident:
an event that sets the plot moving.
What’s our initial incident in The Princess Bride? 2
DIAGRAM OF PLOT STRUCTURE

12. Plot Structure . . . 3. Rising action
A series of events that follow the initial incident
Develops from conflict between protagonist and antagonist
LIFTS ACTION TO HIGHER LEVEL of interest/suspense! (stakes go up, time gets shorter . . .)
What lifts the suspense/interest in The Princess Bride? 3
DIAGRAM OF PLOT STRUCTURE

13. Plot Structure . . . 4. Climax The MOST intense, exciting moment
Turning point of the rising action
Outcome of conflict is determined
What is/are the climax(es) of The Princess Bride? 4
DIAGRAM OF PLOT STRUCTURE

14. Plot Structure . . . 5. Falling Action
Series of events following the climax
Ties up all loose ends (or leaves one or two hanging for a sequal!)
Usually pretty short
What loose ends are tied up in The Princess Bride? 5
DIAGRAM OF PLOT STRUCTURE

15. Plot Structure . . . Conclusion/Resolution
Logical Outcome of all that has occurred before
Comedy: brings all characters together (Dumb and Dumber; Scooby Doo; Inigo, Fezzig, Wesley, Buttercup; etc.)
Drama/Tragedy: Characters live on with the result of their actions (Saving Private Ryan; Humperdink, Vicini)
Can also be a combination of the two As in The Princess Bride 6
DIAGRAM OF PLOT STRUCTURE