1. Elements of Plot
English 7CP
Mr. Snow

2. What is plot? Plot is the series of events that make up a story.
Most plots have four parts:
1. Exposition
2. Complications
3. Climax
4. Denouement

3. Plot diagram
We will be using, referring to, and making plot diagrams this year.
A plot diagram looks like this:
Please don’t copy this down yet.

4. Exposition Exposition: beginning explanation in a story.
Introduces setting, characters, & central conflict.

5. Exposition Exposition contains… Setting: when/where story takes place.
Conflict: main problem character(s) must face.
Conflict may be internal (man vs. himself) or external (man vs. man/man vs. nature), and needn’t be negative.
What is the setting of Toy Story 3?
What are some examples of internal conflict?
What are some examples of external conflict?

6. Complications
Complications are events that make it hard for the character(s) to solve the conflict.
Also called rising action.
Exposition

7. Complications Complications unfold the heart of the plot.
What are some complications in The Lion King?

8. Complications
Complications give us information about what might happen.
We can infer, or guess, what will happen based on this information.
Sometimes the author will foreshadow, give a hint as to the outcome.

9. Climax Climax: the story’s most exciting or suspenseful part.
This is where the conflict is decided one way or the other.
Rising action
Exposition
Complications

10. Denouement Denouement (deh-no-mah): resolution of the story.
Here the plot is tied up.
Also includes falling action.
Climax
Rising action
Exposition
Complications

11. Plot diagram You should copy this down now.  Climax Falling action
Denouement
Climax
Rising action
Exposition
Complications
Falling action
You should copy this down now. 

12. “Rikki-tikki-tavi”
“Rikki-tikki-tavi”(pg. 21): story of a young mongoose who must save his adoptive family/friends from cobras.
This story is all about conflict.
Name some recent conflicts.
Take a moment to fill out the anticipation chart for vocabulary. Be honest!
If you don’t know it right away, you will get the definition eventually.

13. “Rikki-tikki-tavi”
We’re going to check out a video about cobras/mongooses.
As we read, take time to write down some of the numerous conflicts Rikki and his friends encounter.

14. Autobiographical Incident
Now that you know how to use the elements of plot, you are going to write an autobiographical incident.
Autobiography = written about self.
For this incident, focus mainly on getting a good exposition, plot complications, climax, and denouement.
Draw the reader in through descriptions and careful attention to the elements of plot.

15. FIN