FOR ENGLISH

1. Plot
Structure
and Types
of Conflict
Understanding How
Stories Work

2. What is a Plot?
A plot is the sequence of events in a story.
It shows how the author arranges the
events to develop the basic idea.
Like climbing a mountain in a linear
structure.
A short story usually has one main plot so
it can be read in one sitting.

3. The Six
Essential
Parts of a
Plot
Linear or Pyramid Structure
• Exposition (Introduction)
• Inciting Incident / Complication
• Rising Action
• Climax
• Falling Action
• Resolution (Conclusion)

4. Exposition (Introduction)
Introduces setting, main characters,
and the situation.
Sets the stage for the story to
unfold.

5. Inciting
Incident /
Complication
A small but important event
that leads to the conflict.
Without this, there is no
rising action.

6. Rising
Action
Series of events that build up
the conflict.
Complications arise; tension
increases.
Leads up to the climax.

7. Conflict
THE HEART OF THE PLOT — THE
STRUGGLE THE CHARACTER FACES.
TIES EVENTS TOGETHER AND
MOVES THE STORY.

8. Types of Conflict
Two Main Types:
• Internal Conflict – within the
character (Character vs. Self)
• External Conflict – with outside forces

9. Internal Conflict
Character vs. Self - Struggles with
emotions, moral dilemmas, decisions,
personal growth.

10. External Conflicts
Character vs.
Character – Good vs.
evil; fights or rivalries.
1
Character vs. Nature
– Storms, wild
animals, survival.
2
Character vs. Society
– Laws, traditions,
expectations.
3
Character vs.
Technology – Robots,
AI, machines.
4
Character vs.
Supernatural –
Ghosts, aliens,
vampires.
5
Character vs. Fate –
Struggle with destiny,
luck, or divine will.
6

11. Climax
The turning point of the story.
Three things usually happen:
1. Main character receives new information.
2. They accept or realize it.
3. They act on it to try to resolve the conflict.

12. Falling
Action
• Events that come after the climax.
• Problems begin to settle down.
• Leads to the ending.

13. Resolution
(Conclusion)
• The story comes to a close.
• Conflicts are resolved or explained.
• The outcome is revealed.