Plot

1. Plot

2. Definition • Series of events that make up the action of a story • What happens in the story • Designed to create high levels of suspense/anticipation for readers • Anticipation compels reader to read the story

3. Parts of a Plot • Opening or Exposition • Rising Action • Climax • Falling Action • Conclusion or Resolution

4. Opening/Exposition • Beginning of a story • Characters are introduced • Setting is introduced • Problem is hinted at • Designed to attract readers to story

5. Rising Action • Comprises most of the story • Problem develops & complications arise • Problem becomes more and more complex until character must try to solve it • Character usually makes several unsuccessful attempts to deal with the problem, often causing the problem to get even worse

6. Climax • The problem has become so large & complex that the character must take drastic action to overcome the problem • The point in the story where the character is forced to confront the problem & get it solved • Tends to be most exciting & dramatic part of the story

7. Falling Action • Falling off of the action after the climax • Unraveling of the plot • Leads reader to the end of the story

8. Conclusion/Exposition • The part of the plot where readers find out how the story ends—what happens to the character • Three ways the story can end: • Character overcomes problem • Problem overcomes character • Character doesn’t solve problem, but rather learns to live with it

9. Plot Pattern climax rising falling action action expositon resolution