This document discusses key elements of plot structure including exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. It also covers types of conflict, setting, character development, and point of view. Plot is defined as the structure of a story and includes presenting the main problem, a series of events building to the climax, and tying up loose ends. Setting the scene, developing characters, and creating conflict are essential to an engaging narrative.

1. Nordonia High
School
English 9 CP
Presented by
Mrs. Tolin
Mrs. Smith

2. It is an
necessary
element for any
type of story.
Without a good
plot line, you
have nothing .
. .
The most basic
arrangement of
events
PLOT IS THE
LITERARY
ELEMENT THAT
DESCRIBES THE
STRUCTURE OF
THE STORY.

3.  CHRONOLOGICAL
 FLASHBACK
 IN MEDIA RES (in the middle)

4. 5 MAIN PARTS TO THE PLOT STRUCTURE

5. Conflict:
Main problem
of a story.
Four main
types: man
vs. man, man
vs. self,
man vs.
nature, man
vs. society
Exposition:
setting,
characters &
basic plot:
the
situation
before the
action
starts
Rising
Action:
All of
the
events
that lead
up to the
climax,
the
series of
crisis in
the story
Climax: the
highest point of
interest, the
most intense
moment; the
character makes
a decision that
cannot be
reversed
Falling
Action:
All of
the
action
which
follows
the
climax
Resolution
: the
conclusion
, the
tying
together
of all of
the
threads

6.  Demonstrate a
universal truth
 Emphasize a
character trait
 Accentuate a mood
or feeling
 Recreate a scene
 Teach a moral
lesson
 Entertain
 Challenge the
reader’s intellect
 Answers the
question “what’s
the point of
stories that aren’t

7. The Environment in
which a story takes
place
Includes both
TIME & PLACE

8.  PROVIDES A BACKDROP
FOR THE ACTION IN A
STORY
 ESTABLISHES
ATMOSPHERE (SETS THE
MOOD)
 SHAPES CHARACTER &
ACTION
 REFLECTS CHARACTER
PSYCHOLOGY

9. Example: using
real cities or
street names;
describing a place
as realistically
as possible
Example: smell of
cookies during
winter break;
swimming in cold
lake water
 DETAILS: BUILD
DESCRIPTION WITH
REALISTIC DETAILS TO
MAKE IT BELIEVABLE
 SENSE IMAGES: APPEAL
TO SENSES, WHICH
HELPS READER RELATE
TO PERSONAL
EXPERIENCES

10.  WHAT IS THE
PHYSICAL BACKDROP?
DOES IT CREATE
ATMOSPHERE/ SHAPE
CHARACTERS’
ACTIONS/REFLECT
INNER THOUGHTS?
 WHAT TECHNIQUES
DID THE AUTHOR
USE?

11. The central source
of tension and
drama that makes a
story interesting
to read and gives
it purpose

12.  Character vs.
Character
› Conflict between 2
people or 2 groups of
people
› Examples: family
troubles, bullies or
romantic trouble

13.  Character vs.
Society
› Between individual
and larger groups
› Examples: outsider in
a strange culture, a
struggle to “make it”
in the world

14.  Character vs. Nature
› Individual and the
natural world
› Examples: Fighting a
force of nature
› Surviving a plane
crash in the desert

15.  Character vs. Self
› Psychological
conflicts within a
person
› Examples: Overcoming
a drug habit
› Grieving over loss of
loved one
› Making a moral
decision

16.  Story Problem
› Try to state the
problem in one
sentence
 Elements of plot
› Include both the
conflict and the
climax

18.  DIRECT: The author tells the
readers details about the character
directly
› Even though she was the youngest, Sarah
was the smartest of all three sisters
 INDIRECT: The author shows the
character in action and lets
readers make their own
interpretations
› At report card time, Sarah received an
A in all subjects, unlike her sisters.

19.  Character’s Name
 Physical Appearance
 How the character is
dressed
 Occupation
 Home & Surroundings
 Habit’s and Actions
 What other characters
say about him or her

20.  Defined by the qualities that make
them think, act and feel in certain
ways.
› Values: What people, places or things are
most important in the character’s life?
What does he or she value most?
› Feelings: What Emotions does the character
feel most strongly?
› Goals: What are the character’s greatest
hopes? What are they working to
accomplish?
› Problems: What other characters or
circumstances are keeping the character
from achieving his goals?