1. Narrative Writing Strategies: Plot

2. “Harrison Bergeron” Plot Map

3. Reminders
You will NOT earn credit for any annotations until I have your signed consent form! Zeros will be entered into the gradebook with NO RECOURSE! Don’t forget ASD if you have it! 

4. Narrative Writing: Plot
What is plot?
Events in a story
What is the purpose of plot?
Move reader toward turning point (climax)
Develop conflict
Develop character
Develop themes

5. Plot Elements Exposition Introduction to setting, character, conflict
Promises are made
Rising Action
Build suspense
Fulfill promise(s)
Climax
Turning point
Resolution
Tie up loose ends
Conclusion
Last event

6. Making Promises Event: A guest at a fancy party is murdered.
Promise: A hunt to find the killer will ensue
A monster escapes a top-secret laboratory.
Promise: It will commit horrific acts until it is stopped.
Event: A boy sits next to the cute girl in class; they exchange shy smiles.
Promise: They will become a couple.

7. Fulfilling Promises
Only promises you intend to keep – every scene should progress toward fulfilling them.
Plot threads – different promises progressing simultaneously – main plot plus subplots
Finding Nemo Plot Threads:
Adventure plot – Marlin's journey
Relationship plots – Marlin and Nemo's father-son relationship; Marlin and Dory's friendship
Heist/escape plot – Gil's goal

8. “Harrison Bergeron” Plot Map

9. Choose a Premise
A guy loses his briefcase at the mall and is trying to find it.
A woman is hiking in the wilderness and thinks she hears someone stalking her, but isn't 100% sure if it's just her imagination or not.
A boy finds a watch on the side of the road, but the watch is running backwards.
A soldier returns home from Afghanistan on Halloween.
A little league game gets interrupted by tornado sirens going off.

10. Planning Your Story
Name: Premise: Main Plot: Subplot: Plot Map: