Identifying the Structural Elements of Plot

Social Skill: Staying on Task 1.Look at your task or assignment (notes) 2.Think about the steps needed to complete it (listen, read, copy, participate) 3.Focus all of your attention on task (note taking) 4.Stop working only when instructed (Ms. Smith will instruct) 5.Ignore distractions and interruptions (visitors, T.A.s, off task classmates)

Objective
Objective: Students will evaluate the structural elements of plot through written notes and discussion. Essential Question: What are the key points in the elements of plot?

What is Plot?

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.

What are the five structural Elements of Plot?

Exposition Rising Action Climax Falling Action Resolution

(Please take out your white boards and white board markers)

Please draw a similar plot diagram on your white board and label where you think the 5 elements belong. You have 3 minutes. 3

2 1

What is A secondary or tertiary story line that Subplot?

complicates or adds depth to the main plot. A smaller story connected to the main storys plot.

What are Parallel Episodes? Examples:

Repeated elements of a plot. A recurring event in a story.

Lion King when Simba is almost killed the same way as his father Mufassa. The Three Little Pigs: What is the recurring event in this story? Little Red Riding Hood: What event is repeated?

Exposition
Occurs at the beginning of a story. Here the characters, setting and conflict are introduced

Rising Action
Begins to develop the conflict(s). The tension and the suspense of the story begin to increase.

Climax

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

Falling Action
All loose ends of the plot are tied up. The conflict(s) and climax begin to decrease.

Resolution

The conflict(s) are resolved. The story comes to a reasonable ending.

Conflict
Words in red are optional t copy

Conflicts are problems faced by characters in the narrative (story). Internal conflict is conflict that takes place within the characters self: within the mind of the character. Character struggles to make a decision or take action, or overcome a feeling. External conflict means a character struggles against outside forces (opposing forces): outside self

Every story needs characters

People

Animals

Or Creatures

The protagonist is the good guy

The antagonist is the bad guy or force

Great stories have a conflict

Man vs. Man

Man vs. Nature Man vs. Society Man vs. Machine Man vs. Himself

The climax is the most exciting part where the conflict is faced.

The point of view is the perspective of the story

That rotten wolf tried to eat us!!!!

I was framed! I just wanted to borrow a cup of sugar!

Point of View
1st Person: Told from the perspective of the

main character. Uses pronouns such as I and We. 3rd Person: Told from the perspective of a distant figure. Uses pronouns He, She, and They.

Putting It All Together

1. Exposition

2. Rising Action

Beginning of Story

Middle of Story

3. Climax

4. Falling Action
5. Resolution

End of Story