1. Plot What Is Plot? Elements of Plot Basic Situation Complications
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What Is Plot?
Elements of Plot
Basic Situation
Complications
Climax
Resolution
Timing of Events
Practice

2. What Is Plot?
Plot is “what happens” in a story—the sequence of related events that makes a story hang together.
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3. most exciting/suspenseful moment
Elements of Plot
A typical plot has four parts.
Climax
most exciting/suspenseful moment
Complications
new problems arise
Resolution
problems are
resolved
Basic Situation/Exposition conflict is introduced
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4. Basic Situation
The first part of a story is the basic situation, or exposition. The writer introduces a character who
wants something very much
encounters a conflict while trying to get it

5. Basic Situation
The main conflict in a story may be internal or external.
External conflict: a struggle between a character and an outside force
External:
climbing wall
Internal conflict: a struggle within the character’s own heart or mind
Internal:
fear

6. Basic Situation Quick Check What is the basic situation?
Bertha walked up and down and enjoyed herself immensely, and thought to herself: ‘If I were not so extraordinarily good I should not have been allowed to come into this beautiful park and enjoy all that there is to be seen in it,’ and her three medals clinked against one another as she walked and helped to remind her how very good she really was.  Just then an enormous wolf came prowling into the park to see if it could catch a fat little pig for its supper.
from “The Storyteller” by Saki
What conflict does Bertha face?
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7. Basic Situation Quick Check What is the basic situation?
Bertha walked up and down and enjoyed herself immensely, and thought to herself: ‘If I were not so extraordinarily good I should not have been allowed to come into this beautiful park and enjoy all that there is to be seen in it,’ and her three medals clinked against one another as she walked and helped to remind her how very good she really was.  Just then an enormous wolf came prowling into the park to see if it could catch a fat little pig for its supper.
from “The Storyteller” by Saki
Bertha is enjoying a walk in a beautiful park as a reward for her goodness.

8. Basic Situation Quick Check What conflict does Bertha face?
Bertha walked up and down and enjoyed herself immensely, and thought to herself: ‘If I were not so extraordinarily good I should not have been allowed to come into this beautiful park and enjoy all that there is to be seen in it,’ and her three medals clinked against one another as she walked and helped to remind her how very good she really was.  Just then an enormous wolf came prowling into the park to see if it could catch a fat little pig for its supper.
from “The Storyteller” by Saki
She is threatened by a hungry wolf.

9. Complications
Next, a series of complications arises—events that make the character’s situation more difficult and heighten the suspense.
Complication:
“. . . and as she trembled the medal for obedience clinked against the medals for good conduct and punctuality. The wolf was just moving away when he heard the sound of the medals clinking and stopped to listen ”
from “The Storyteller” by Saki
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10. Climax The plot reaches a climax. The climax
is the most exciting or suspenseful moment
decides the outcome of the conflict
“He dashed into the bush, his pale grey eyes gleaming with ferocity and triumph ”
from “The Storyteller” by Saki
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11. Resolution The last part of the plot is the resolution, or denouement.
The problems are resolved in some way.
The story ends—sometimes happily, sometimes not.
“All that was left of her were her shoes, bits of clothing, and the three medals for goodness.”
from “The Storyteller” by Saki
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12. Timing of Events
Another important element of plot is the order in which a writer tells the events.
Order of Events
Chronological order: The writer tells the events in the order in which they happened.
Flashbacks: The writer interrupts the present action with a scene or scenes from the past.
Flash-forwards: The writer gives a glimpse into the character’s future.
Foreshadowing: The writer hints at something that will happen later in the plot.

13. Timing of Events
Quick Check
Identify which graphic represents chronological order, flashback, and flash-forward.
First
Next
Last
In years to come . . .
Years ago . . .

14. Timing of Events Quick Check
Identify which graphic represents chronological order, flashback, and flash-forward.
Quick Check
Flashback
First
Next
Last
In years to come . . .
Years ago . . .
Chronological order
Flash-forward

15. Timing of Events
A writer may slow the pace of events to create suspense or dramatize a moment.
Fast
Then, they saw a circle of gleaming eyes around their camp.
Slow
“There was no suggestion of form in the utter blackness; only could be seen a pair of eyes gleaming like live coals. Henry indicated with his head a second pair, and a third. A circle of the gleaming eyes had drawn about their camp.
from “White Fang” by Jack London
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16. Practice
You can chart the plot of a story by using a diagram like the one below. Fill in a plot diagram for a fairy tale or a TV drama you know well. Television and movies make frequent use of flashbacks and foreshadowing. Insert those time tricks on your plot diagram as well.
Climax
Complications
Event
Event
Event
Resolution
Basic Situation
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17. The End