The document discusses the key elements of plot structure and setting in storytelling. It explains that a typical plot has four parts: the exposition, which introduces the main character and conflict; complications that arise; the climax, or most suspenseful moment; and the resolution. It also discusses how setting, mood, tone, character, and internal/external conflicts are important for establishing the context and emotional impact of a story. Setting can reveal important details like time period, location, and cultural norms.

1. Plot and Setting Mr. Brown English 3-4

2. Plot: How to Tell a Tale A Plot is a sequence of related events that make a story hang together. A Plot is what happens between “Once upon a time” and “happily ever after.” The plot will include characters who will experience some sort of conflict. A plot has detail and takes place within a specific span

3. Building Blocks of a Plot A typical plot has four parts The first part of a plot is the basic situation (sometimes called a exposition) An exposition presents a main character who wants something very much and who encounters a conflict while trying to get it.

4. Exposition Example… “A young girl is cruelly treated by her jealous stepmother and stepsisters. She longs to go to the prince’s ball, but she has to wear rags.” Sometimes the exposition could expand to develop the element of conflict even further. External Conflict and Internal Conflict.

5. Complications After the exposition the author will add further complications for the main character to deal with. Cinderella’s fairy godmother gets her an invitation to the ball but there is a catch because at the stroke of midnight her dress turns to rags, the drivers to mice, and the carriage becomes a pumpkin.

6. The Climax… The highest point of the plot is the climax. The climax is the story’s most exciting or suspenseful moment. This usually is when something takes place that will decide the outcome of the conflict. What is the climax in the story of Cinderella?

7. Last but not least.. The last part of the plot is the resolution, when the problems of the conflict is solved. Often this is when the story ends with “Happily ever after.” What is the resolution in the story of Cinderella?

8. Timing is everything One of the most important parts of the plot is the timing of the story’s events. Chronological order: The events unfold in order in which it happens. However, there are several techniques to add suspense or to manipulate time and to have control over our feelings.

9. Playing with Time Flashbacks; when the present action of a story is interrupted with a scene or scenes from the past. A flashback helps the author explain the character better or reveal why they are in the current situation. Flash-Forward; this is similar to a flashback but in this we visit the characters future.

10. Time continued… Foreshadowing; this is another method of manipulating time. An writer will plant clues that hint at something that will happen later in the plot. When there is foreshadowing it draws the reader in and will keep you on the edge of your seat.

11. Literary Focus: Plot Choose a movie or a TV drama that you have seen and complete the following… Who is the main character? What is the basic situation? What complications arise? What is the climax, or most suspenseful moment? How is the problem resolved?

12. Setting Is it possible for an interesting story to have no setting at all? What is a setting and what is the importance of a setting to a story? Think of how crucial a setting is when we are reading a novel or watching a movie?

13. Continued…. A setting puts us, the readers or viewers there, it gives us feeling of being in the situation with the characters A setting includes peoples customs-how they live, eat, dress, talk, and behave. What would a setting be like in New York City?

14. Time Frame… A setting can also reveal a time frame. Within the text they mention a horse and carriage, or the streets are covered with fresh snow we can gain a sense that this takes place in the winter during the 1900’s. Details of a setting gives a story a kind of truth ad believability Within a setting you can go somewhere else, without ever leaving home.

15. Setting, Mood, and Tone Emotional impact includes mood or atmosphere. Within the setting if the story takes place in Winter, or Spring this can give us a certain feeling. Tone is another factor of setting. The author will portray a certain attitude of tender, joyful, or angry.

16. Character and Conflict An author will use his setting to help reveal the characters of the story through the environment. Internal Conflict- The character has to deal with emotions of hunger, thirst, anxiety, and feeling on the inside. External Conflict- Man vs. Man or Man vs. Nature.

17. Literary Focus: Setting Describe the settings of a recent movies or a television show. Think about the time, place, social customs, and several elements of the setting. What does the setting reveal about the characters involved in the story?