1. Please Check your work… The plot of Cinderella
CLIMAX
The stepsisters
try to force their
feet into the slipper.
It fits Cinderella.
A fairy godmother appears and provides Cinderella
with clothes, a coach, and footman.
Cinderella dances with the prince,
but leaves hurriedly at midnight; losing a slipper
FALLING ACTION
An invitation to the ball arrives.
Cinderella lives
with her stepsisters
and their mother.
they make her wear
rags and do all the
hard work.
Cinderella and
the prince marry.
The prince
says he
will marry
the woman
whom the
slipper fits.
Cinderella goes to the ball.
The stepsisters go to the ball.
They live happily
ever after.
EXPOSITION
RISING ACTION
RESOLUTION

2. The Elements of Fiction

3. In this PowerPoint we will look at the elements of fiction through the classic short story “Cinderella” to examine how the elements “interact” to shape the stories we love.

4. Plot
Plot is the sequence of events in a story. Each event causes or leads to the next. Plot is often created through conflict, a struggle between opposing forces.
An external conflict is one between a character and an outside force, such as another character, nature, society, or fate.
An internal conflict takes place within the mind of a character who is torn between opposing feelings or between different courses of action.

5. Types of Conflict
Conflict is generally categorized in the following ways:
Person versus Person: this is an external struggle between two characters
Person versus Society: this is an external struggle between a character and a social force or condition produced by society, such as poverty, political revolution, or a set of values
Person versus Nature: this is an external struggle between a character and some natural obstacle or natural condition such as the weather
Person versus Fate: this is an external struggle between a character and what is to be and what the character wants his or life to be. For example, a character feels that his fate is to become a warrior. He may try to change it by leaving his homeland.
Person versus Self: this is an internal struggle within a character, where aspects of his or her personality may struggle for dominance. These aspects may be emotional, intellectual, or moral.

6. Problem and Conflict in “Cinderella”
Problem: Cinderella wants to go to the ball, but her stepsisters prevent her from going.
Conflict: The conflict is external—Cinderella versus the stepsisters and their mother or person vs. person (also called character vs. character)
Think about it…how does this affect what happens in the story?

7. The Five Stages of Plot
Exposition introduces the story’s characters, setting, and conflict.
Rising action occurs as complications, twists, or intensifications of the conflict occur.
Climax is the emotional high point of the story.
Falling action is the logical result of the climax.
Resolution presents the final outcome of the story.
Look again at the plot diagram on the next slide and consider how these sections work together and affect what happens in the story Cinderella.

8. The 5 Stages of plot in Cinderella
CLIMAX
The stepsisters
try to force their
feet into the slipper.
It fits Cinderella.
A fairy godmother appears and provides Cinderella
with clothes, a coach, and footman.
Cinderella dances with the prince,
but leaves hurriedly at midnight; losing a slipper
FALLING ACTION
An invitation to the ball arrives.
Cinderella lives
with her stepsisters
and their mother.
they make her wear
rags and do all the
hard work.
Cinderella and
the prince marry.
The prince
says he
will marry
the woman
whom the
slipper fits.
Cinderella goes to the ball.
The stepsisters go to the ball.
They live happily
ever after.
EXPOSITION
RISING ACTION
RESOLUTION

9. Setting
Setting is the time and place of the story’s action. Setting includes ideas, customs, values, and beliefs.
Sometimes this is stated specifically. Sometimes you have to infer

10. The setting in “Cinderella”
The story takes place a long time ago in a land ruled by a king and a queen.
Think about it…how does this affect what happens in the story?

11. Characters
Characters are the actors in a story’s plot. They can be people, animals, or whatever the writer chooses.
The protagonist is the main character.
The antagonist is the person in conflict with the main character. Not all stories have antagonists.

12. Characters in “Cinderella”
The main characters are Cinderella, the stepsisters, their mother, the fairy godmother, and the prince.
Protagonist: Cinderella
Antagonist: the stepsisters, their mother
Again, think about it…how does this affect what happens in the story?

13. Point of View
Point of view refers to the relationship of the narrator, or storyteller, to the story.
In first-person point of view, the narrator is a character in the story, referred to as “I.”
In third-person limited point of view, the narrator reveals the thoughts of only one character, referring to that character as “he” or “she.”
In third-person omniscient point of view, the narrator knows everything about the story’s events and reveals the thoughts of all the characters.
Think about it…how does this affect what we, the readers, learn about what happens in the story?
Cinderella is told through
the third-person omniscient
point of view.

14. Theme
Theme is the central idea or message of a story, often a perception about life or human nature.
Stated themes are directly presented in a story.
Implied themes must be inferred by considering all the elements of a story and asking what message about life is conveyed.
The theme of “Cinderella” is implied. The reader can infer the message that if you are in a bad situation, you should do the best that you can. In the end, things will work out for you.
Think about it…how does this affect the path of the story?