1. Plot Structure
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.
Plot is the literary element that describes the structure of a story. It shows the a cause and effect arrangement of events and actions within a story.

2. Plot Structure is also called…
Plot mountain
Plot line
Story line
Plot diagram
Plot map
Story structure

3. 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

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

5. Two Types of Conflict
Internal
External

6. Types of External Conflict
Human vs. Human
Interpersonal Conflict
Human vs. Nature
Human vs. Society
Human vs. Self
Internal Conflict

7. Practice # 1: Conflict
A man wakes up in the morning ready to make his 3 mile trek to work only to find it is raining.

8. Practice # 1: Conflict
A man wakes up in the morning ready to make his 3 mile trek to work only to find it is raining.
External- Man vs. Nature

9. Practice # 2
A woman cannot make up her mind; she doesn’t know if she likes the blue shoes, or the red.

10. Practice # 2
A woman cannot make up her mind; she doesn’t know if she likes the blue shoes, or the red.
Internal- Human vs. self

11. Practice # 3
The boy watched the soldiers march into the small town from a tall tower. He knew they would change everything.

12. Practice # 3
The boy watched the soldiers march into the small town from a tall tower. He knew they would change everything.
External- Human vs. Society

13. Practice # 4
What is the most exciting part of a story called?

14. Practice # 4
What is the most exciting part of a story called?
climax

15. Practice # 5
When do we usually learn about main characters, setting, and conflict?

16. Practice # 5
At what point do we usually learn about main characters, setting, and conflict?
exposition

17. Practice # 6
Give two words to describe the end of a story, when everything seems to fall into place.

18. resolution or dénouement
Practice # 6
Give two words to describe the end of a story, when everything seems to fall into place.
resolution or dénouement