1. Plot
Short Stories

2. Plot Plot: Sequence of events in a literary work.
Consists of exposition, complication, rising action, intensification, climax, falling action, and resolution.
Involves both characters and a central conflict.

3. Parts of Plot Exposition:
The part of the plot that introduces the characters, the setting, and the basic situation.
The Exposition is your “background information.” E D C F
Exposition B. G

4. Parts of Plot Complication:
Part of the plot directly following exposition
Central conflict is introduced
The Complication is the first time we hear of the major conflict that must be resolved. E D F C
Complication A G

5. Parts of Plot Rising Action: All events leading up to the climax
The Rising Action can be made of just a few events or can be made of hundreds of events E D
Rising Action F B G A

6. Parts of Plot Intensification:
Specific actions/conflicts that help move the story to a high level of suspense.
The Intensification is prior to the climax E
Intensification F C B A G

7. Parts of Plot Climax: The high point of interest or suspense.
The Climax is the result of the complication, rising action, and intensification.
The Climax leads to the falling action and resolution.
Climax D F C B A G

8. Parts of the Plot Falling Action:
Events leading to the resolution of the central conflict.
The Falling Action can contain many events, or it can contain just one event. E D
Falling Action C B A G

9. Parts of Plot Resolution: The end of the central conflict.
The Resolution does not have to be the end of the story.
FYI: Events after the resolution are called the denouement. E D F C B
Resolution A

10. Plot of Forrest Gump Exposition: The very beginning of the movie
Forrest is sitting on the park bench…
“If I think real hard, maybe I can remember my first pair of shoes…”

11. Plot of Forrest Gump Complication: Meeting Jenny on the bus to school.
“Can’t sit here…”

12. Plot of Forrest Gump Rising Action:
Jenny and Forrest become the best of friends.
Forrest goes away to college
Forrest goes to war

13. Plot of Forrest Gump Intensification:
Forrest runs into Jenny at the anti-war demonstration.

14. Plot of Forrest Gump Climax: Jenny comes home
“We were like peas and carrots again.”

15. Plot of Forrest Gump Falling Action: Jenny leaves again
Forrest runs across the country
Jenny and Forrest reunite
Jenny and Forrest marry

16. Plot of Forrest Gump
Resolution:
Jenny dies