The document provides information about plot structures but does not describe the plot of a specific story. It defines a plot as the sequence of events in a story and notes that plots typically involve some process of change. It then outlines common structural elements of plots, including exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and denouement/resolution.

1. PLOT
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ETHAN_FROME_274.jpg

2. PLOT
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ETHAN_FROME_274.jpg

3. Source: http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMjgwNzg5MDAyNl5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMzYxNDAxMw@@._V1._SX640_SY475_.jpg
What is the plot of
the story?
the information for
this presentation
has been adapted
from: Regula
Schmid: STORYTIME,
Lehrmittelverlag
des Kantons Zürich,
2006, Student‘s book
p. 111

4. Source: http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMjgwNzg5MDAyNl5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMzYxNDAxMw@@._V1._SX640_SY475_.jpg
What is the plot of
the story?
the information for
this presentation
has been adapted
from: Regula
Schmid: STORYTIME,
Lehrmittelverlag
des Kantons Zürich,
2006, Student‘s book
p. 111
• The plot is the sequence of
events in the order as they
are presented in the text.
• In a general manner of
speaking, most plots consist
of some process or change.

5. Structure
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6. Source: http://www.featurepics.com/FI/Thumb/20080511/Excited-Young-Reader-723047.jpg
Structure
• The events of the plots are arranged so as to form
a particular structure. There are various possible
types of structures for plots. Good plot patterns will
awaken the reader‘s interest, create some suspense
and hold the reader‘s attention.

7. Source: http://www.scribendi.com/images/cms/2009-07/Plot_Skeleton_photo_FINALIZED.jpg

8. Source: http://www.scribendi.com/images/cms/2009-07/Plot_Skeleton_photo_FINALIZED.jpg
• The following terms are useful to recognise and
describe the structure of a novel or a short-story:

10. • A typical plot pattern begins with the exposition. This is an
introduction to the background of the story, the characters and the
setting.
• The next stage is the rising action. Here a conflict between
two forces is developed. Events are further complicated until
they reach a climax, the highest point of excitement and
interest in the story. The climax is closely connected to a
turning point, the moment when events are reversed and
move into another direction

12. • The falling action leads towards the end. It often
involves some discovery or important recognition
on the part of the hero. The end is the catastrophe in
a tragedy, or the dénouement or resolution, the
moment when the conflict is solved in some
manner.

13. stop and think
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14. stop and think
Source: http://fivealarmbookreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Ethan-Frome.jpg
• Now imagine the story Ethan
Frome.
• What would the structure of
the plot be there?

15. ETHAN FROME

16. ETHAN FROME
• What do the following parts
of the plot structure
correspond to in the novella
Ethan Frome?
• Exposition = ?
• Rising action = ?
• Climax = ?
• Falling action = ?
• Denouement = ?
• Please feel free to discuss
this with your peers.