Elements of Plot

Plot Diagram
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Plot is the action or
sequence of events in a
story.
In a well-written plot,
one event leads to
another like stairs in a
staircase.
Basic Parts of Plot
Exposition
Conflict
An additional element of plot!
Rising Action
Climax
Falling Action
Resolution
PLOT=Action
Plot is the action of the story.
It is a series of related events that the
author describes from the beginning of
the story to the end of the story.
Most plots follow chronological order.
This is TIME order; plots are described in
the order in which they occur.
PLOT DIAGRAM
You can keep track of the plot using a
tool called a plot diagram.
This is an easy way to keep track.
However, there is no absolute
formula for handling each of the parts
of the story.
Exposition
The exposition (or opening) is the first part of
the plot.
Here the author establishes the setting,
introduces the characters, gives any
background information, and introduces the
problem, or conflict.
Rising Action
The rising action is a series of conflicts or
struggles that build a story or play toward its
climax.
In most stories, the characters do not solve their
problems on the first try. As they struggle to
solve their problems, tensions rise.
Climax
This is the turning point or high point of the story.
Usually the main character comes face to face
with a conflict and will begin to think of a way to
solve it.
The main character will change in some way.
Falling Action
All loose ends of the
plot are tied up.
The conflict(s) and
climax are taken
care of and the
author describes
how the problem
was solved.
Resolution
The resolution
comes after the
falling action
and brings the
story to a
reasonable
ending.
The Plot Diagram

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Elements of Conflict
Conflict
Conflict is the
struggle or problem
that triggers the
action/events in a
story.
Conflict occurs after
the exposition and
before the rising
action begins
Five types of conflict
are recognized
throughout literature:
Person vs. Person
Person vs. Self
Person vs. Nature
Person vs. Society
Person vs. Fate
Person vs. Person
A
conflict
between
two or
more
people.
Example: two friends get in an
argument and stop speaking to
each other.


PERSON VS. SOCIETY
A conflict
between
a person
and the
laws or
beliefs of
a group.
Example: a person goes to the
Capital and protests a new law.

PERSON VS. NATURE
A conflict
between
a person
and an
element
of the
natural
world.
Example: a hiker gets lost in the
mountains.
PERSON VS. SELF
A
conflict
within a
person.
Example: an alcoholic struggles
to overcome his addiction.


PERSON VS. FATE
A conflict
between a
person and
something
that seems
out of their
control.
Example: an ancient Greek hero
fights Poseidon, the god of the
sea.

WHAT KIND OF CONFLICT
IS IT?
A family loses its home in a
hurricane.


WHAT KIND OF CONFLICT
IS IT?
A man blames God for the death
of his wife, so he stops attending
church and praying.

WHAT KIND OF CONFLICT
IS IT?
A recent high-school graduate is
struggling to decide which college
to go to.


Point of View
First Person Point of View
In first person, the story is told by one
of the characters.
The reader only knows the thoughts
and feelings of that character.
First person pronouns are often clues
I, me, my, we, our, etc.
First Person Point of View
A first person narrator is often used when the
story is told from the perspective of the main
character.
This allows the reader to understand the actions
of the main character from his or her point of
view.
The drawbacks of the first person narrator
include only have one perspective to make
judgments. The narrator might be unreliable.
First Person Narrator:
Example
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First Person Narrator:
Example
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Third Person Point of View
The POV is often called
limited omniscient
because the story is
told by a narrator who
only knows the
thoughts and feelings of
ONE character.
The pronouns he, she,
and they are often
used.
All characters have
privacy except for
one.
This POV gives the
impression that we
are very close to the
mind of that ONE
character, though
viewing it from a
distance.
Third Person POV:
Example
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Third Person Omniscient
POV
This story will be told
by a narrator who is not
a character in the book.
This narrator is God-
like because he/she
knows the thoughts and
feelings of all
characters.
The omniscient
narrator can enter
the minds of
characters and
knows everything
that is going on in
the present, past,
and future.
Third Person Omniscient
POV Example
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Elements of Character
Narrator
This is a person or character actually
telling the story. He or she know
background information and can fill in
important details.

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Characterization
Techniques an
author uses to
develop the
personality of
a character.


Dialect
A form of language
that is spoken in a
particular place by a
particular group of
people.
Dialogue
Words spoken by a
character
Found in quotation
marks
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Protagonist
This is usually the main character in a story.
He or she is central to the action.
Antagonist
This is the person, thing, or force working
against the protagonist.
Another word to describe this character is
foil.
Static Character
A character that stays the same throughout
the course of the story. He or she does not
change or learn a lesson.
Also called a flat character.
Dynamic Character
A character that changes throughout the
course of a story. This character will learn a
lesson from his/her experiences.
Also known as a round character.
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Main Character
This is an important character that the story
cannot go on without.
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Minor Character
A character that is not important. The story
can go on without him or her.
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Genre
A category of
literature
characterized by
similarities in subject
matter.
Mood
The feeling a literary
work gives to
readers.
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Authors Purpose
An authors reason
for creating a piece
of writing.
It may be to
Explain
Persuade
Entertain
Theme
The statement
about life the author
is trying to teach the
reader. Also,
referred to as the
moral.
Symbol
Common Symbols in
Literature
Dove--peace
Ice--death
Spring--youth, birth, life
Water--birth, rebirth
Winter-- death, dying, old age
Eagle--freedom, liberty, strength
Skull--death
Rose--love, beauty
Crown--wealth, royalty
Wedding ring--love, commitment
Sunrise--new start, beginning
Full moon--danger, weirdness
Autumn--middle age, maturity

A person, place,
thing, or event used
to represent
something else.
Authors Style
The way the author uses words,
phrases, and sentences to express
him/herself.
Can include word choice and sentence
structure
Style: Example 1
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Style: Example 2
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Foreshadowing
When the author
gives clues or hints
about what will
happen later in a
story.
Flashback
When the author
interrupts the story
to give necessary
background
information on
character, setting,
or plot.
Dialect: Comma Gets a Cure
Dialect 3
Native American female,
college student
http://web.ku.edu/~idea/no
rthamerica/usa/southdakota
/southdakota1.mp3

Dialect 4
White male, college
student, age 22
http://web.ku.edu/~idea/
europe/ireland/ireland12.
mp3

Dialect 1
Male actor, Jewish, born
1975, Manhattan
http://web.ku.edu/~idea/no
rthamerica/usa/newyork/ne
wyork13.mp3

Dialect 2
Tennessee, Caucasian
female, born 1979,
university student
http://web.ku.edu/~idea/no
rthamerica/usa/tennessee/t
ennessee8.mp3