1. Identifying the Elements of A Plot Diagram Adapted from S. Brooks Driftwood Middle School

2. The Plot Triangle Think of plot as climbing a literary mountain…

3. Plot Diagram 2 1 3 4 5

4. Plot (definition) Plot is… –The sequence of events that make up a story. –Every plot is made up of a series of incidents that are related to one another.

5. 1. Exposition This usually occurs at the beginning of a short story. –Here the characters are introduced. –We also learn about the setting of the story. –Most importantly, we are introduced to the main conflict (main problem).

6. Setting At the beach on a nice, warm, sunny day Time (when) Place (where)

7. Main Characters There are many characters in any story. The main ones are the ones introduced in the expostion. Two basic main characters: The protagonist The “good guy” The antagonist The “bad guy” Between Batman and the Joker, Batman is the protagonist and the Joker is the antagonist.

8. Main Conflict There are many conflicts in any story – most occurring during the rising action. The main conflict is the one between the protagonist and the antagonist. Person v Person Batman v Joker Person v Self Bruce Wayne v his fear of bats Person v Nature Having to survive a tornado Person v Society Jim wants to go to the beach but the rest of his family wants to go to Disney

9. 2. Rising Action This part of the story begins to develop the conflict(s). A building of interest or suspense occurs.

10. 3. Climax This is the turning point of the story. Usually the main character comes face to face with a conflict. The main character will change in some way.

11. 4. Falling Action All loose ends of the plot are tied up. The conflict(s) and climax are taken care of.

12. 5. Resolution The story comes to a reasonable ending.

13. Putting It All Together 1. Exposition 2. Rising Action 3. Climax 4. Falling Action 5. Resolution Beginning of Story Middle of Story End of Story