Plot Structure

Elements of Fictionseries of related events that make up the action of the story and give the story structure. What happens, to whom, and when.

Plot StructureFive Elements of PlotExposition introduction setting, character and sometimes conflictRising Action conflict intensifiesClimax an action or decision is made to impact the outcome of the storyFalling Action the consequence of the action or decision made at the climaxResolution The conflict is resolvedPlot DiagramSettingtime and location in which the story takes place. For some stories the setting is very important, while for others, its not. Settinga) place - geographical location. Where is the action of the story taking place? b) time - When is the story taking place? (historical period, time of day, year, etc)

Settinga) place - geographical location. Where is the action of the story taking place? b) time - When is the story taking place? (historical period, time of day, year, etc) c) weather conditions - Is it rainy, sunny, stormy, etc?

Settinga) place - geographical location. Where is the action of the story taking place? b) time - When is the story taking place? (historical period, time of day, year, etc) c) weather conditions - Is it rainy, sunny, stormy, etc? d) social conditions - What is the daily life of the characters like? Does the story contain local color (writing that focuses on the speech, dress, mannerisms, customs, etc. of a particular place)?

Settinga) place - geographical location. Where is the action of the story taking place? b) time - When is the story taking place? (historical period, time of day, year, etc) c) weather conditions - Is it rainy, sunny, stormy, etc? d) social conditions - What is the daily life of the characters like? Does the story contain local color (writing that focuses on the speech, dress, mannerisms, customs, etc. of a particular place)? e) mood or atmosphere - What feeling is created at the beginning of the story? Is it bright and cheerful or dark and frightening?

Characterspeople (or animals, things, etc. presented as people) appearing in a literary work that participate in the action of the story. CharactersMain most important, impact the outcome of storyMinor interact with main characters, but do not impact the outcome of the storyProtagonist the character central to the action of the story and attempting to overcome conflictAntagonist the character who/that creates conflict

CharactersDynamic undergo changes as story progressesStatic - remain the same throughout the story

Round character traits revealed in greater detailFlat character traits are simply stated

Methods of Characterization1. Description physical appearance and personality2. Background3. Words and Deeds what the character says and does4. Thoughts, Feelings, and Emotions5. Reaction of Others other characters thoughts, feelings, and actions toward a characterConflictThe struggle between opposing forces central to the action of the story.The protagonist struggles to overcome the conflict.The antagonist generally creates the conflict.Internal or ExternalConflictPerson vs. Person a problem with another characterPerson vs. Society a problem with the laws or beliefs of a groupPerson vs. Nature a problem with a force of nature/environmentPerson vs. Self a problem deciding what to do or thinkPerson vs. Fate a problem that seems uncontrollableGenerally occurs during the rising action and helps to create suspense. Suspense is the excitement or tension that readers feel as they become involved in a story.

PerspectiveThe perspective or point of view from which the author presents a story. Who is narrating the story?PerspectiveFirst Person Point of View Story told by one of the characters using first person pronouns such as I or we. This narrator participates in much of the action of the story. The reader is limited to knowing only what that character knows, thinks, and feels.PerspectiveThird Person Point of ViewStory is told by a narrator who is not a character in the story.The story told in third person pronouns such as he, she, and they.Omniscient - When the thoughts and feelings of all chacracters are revealedLimited Omniscient thoughts and feelings of just one character, usually the protagonist are revealedIrony- difference between appearance and reality, usually one in which reality is the opposite of what it seems

Verbal Irony An author or character says something, but meanssomething else.What is said is often the opposite of what is meant.The character is aware of the irony. The reader is aware of the irony.Situational IronyWhat actually happens is not what is expected to happen.Situational irony often defies logic.The character does not expect the outcome (irony).The reader does not expect the outcome (irony).Dramatic IronyThe reader knows something about a characters situationthat the character(s) does not know.The character is unaware of the irony. The reader is aware of the irony.ThemeThe statement about life that the author wants to convey to the reader.

A universal message that transcends space and time

I like to call it the moral of the story.

In longer works of fiction, the central theme is often accompanied by a number of lesser, related themes (called motifs), or there may be two or more central themes.Themes should be stated as a generalization.

A symbol represents an idea, quality, or concept larger than itself.

Other Important Stuff

Allusion- an indirect reference to a famous work of art, literature, or a significant person place, event, or thing in history. Atmosphere- the prevailing emotion and mental climate of a piece of fictionDialogue- the reproduction of a conversation between two of the characters. Imagery- descriptive words and phrases that re-create sensory experiences.Idiom- expression that has a meaning different from the meaning of its individual words.

Foreshadowing- a writers use of hints or clues to indicate events to indicate events that will occur later in the plot.Style- a writers individual and distinct way of writing. The total qualities that distinguish one authors writing from anothers.Personification- a figure of speech in which human qualities are given to an object, animal, or idea.

Narrator- the voice that relates the storys events to the reader.Hyperbole- a figure of speech in which the truth is exaggerated for emphasis or humorous effect. Inference- the process of using prior knowledge, combined with information from text, in order to draw conclusions.