1. Fictional Unit Plot, Foreshadow & Conflict Notes

2. Fiction Works of prose that have imaginary elements Meant to entertain
Two major types of fiction
Novels--a long, often complex work
Short Stories--much shorter than a novel and can often be read in one sitting

3. Plot The sequence of events in a story
Map of what happens, when it happens, and to whom it happens
Almost always built around conflicts--problems or struggles between opposing forces
Comprised of 5 parts--exposition, rising action, climax, falling action & resolution/ dénouement

4. Dénouement/ Resolution
Plot Map/Diagram
Gives a visual representation of the events in the story.
Climax
Dénouement/ Resolution
Falling Action
Rising Action
Exposition

5. Exposition Introduces characters and setting Supplies background
Sets the tone of the story

6. Rising Action Introduces complications Builds suspense
This is where the plot thickens
“Juicy Stuff” happens at this point

7. Climax The turning point of the story
Is the moment when suspense reaches its peak
Results in change for the main character
Sometimes occurs at the end of the story, without being followed by falling action (Tarantino movies)

8. Falling Action Occurs directly after the climax Resolves all conflicts
Ties up loose ends
Leads up to the end

9. Resolution/ Dénouement
THE END
Nothing else happens after this, there is no more plot

10. Checkup How many parts are there to a plot? What happens in a climax?
What does dénouement mean?

11. Conflict

12. A struggle or class between opposing characters, forces or emotions
Five types of conflict
Man v. Man
Man v. Nature
Man v. Self
Man v. Supernatural
Man v. Society

13. Man v. Man
Character competes against another character mentally or physically
Conflict most likely occurs between protagonist and antagonist
Protagonist: “good guy” in the story
Antagonist: “bad guy” in the story

14. Man v. Nature
Characters are competing against forces of nature that are out of their control
Ex. Behr Grills Man v. Wild or movies where people face against deadly viruses

15. Man v. Self Character has an internal struggle within themselves
Involves and emotional journey through the course of the story
Usually involves change in some way

16. Man v. Supernatural
The main character competes or comes up against something “out of this world”
God can be included in this category

17. Man v. Society
Character comes up against/competes with society as a whole
Character may be struggling to conform to society’s norms
Character may also believe he/she is being judged by other members of society

18. Foreshadowing

19. The use of clues to hint at what will happen later in the story
Ex. “’The old charts call it Ship-Trap Island,’ Whitney replied. ‘A suggestive name isn’t it? Sailors have a curious dread of the place.’” (Most Dangerous Game)

20. Setting

21. Descriptive words or phrases that tell when and where the story takes place
Can include:
Time of year
Specific date
Season
City
Country
Inside/Outside
Historical time period

22. Checkup How many types of conflict are there?
Identify the part of the plot where Rainsford decides to play Zaroff’s game?
Assuming Zaroff knew Rainsford was in the tree hiding and let him go, what part of the plot is that?
Who is our protagonist?
Who is the antagonist?