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M Carmichael CSS English Plots and Plot Diagrams Feel free to take notes! Slide 2 MAC Cowichan Secondary English What is plot? Plot is the term which describes all of the events that happen in a story, AND the conflict in the story. Plot is the term which describes all of the events that happen in a story, AND the conflict in the story. Slide 3 MAC Cowichan Secondary English What is plot? Conflict is very important, because it creates the tension, or suspense, that keeps us reading to find out what happens next. Conflict is very important, because it creates the tension, or suspense, that keeps us reading to find out what happens next. Slide 4 MAC Cowichan Secondary English What is plot? Conflict can be obvious and exciting, or subtle and gradual, but without conflict, there is no plot. Conflict can be obvious and exciting, or subtle and gradual, but without conflict, there is no plot. Slide 5 MAC Cowichan Secondary English Plot Diagram 2 1 3 4 6 7 8 9 5 Can you remember the main parts of a plot diagram? Slide 6 MAC Cowichan Secondary English Plot (definition) Plot is the organized pattern or sequence of events that make up a story. Plot is the organized pattern or sequence of events that make up a story. Every plot is made up of a series of incidents that are related to one another. Every plot is made up of a series of incidents that are related to one another. Slide 7 MAC Cowichan Secondary English 1. Exposition This usually occurs at the beginning of a short story. Here the characters are introduced. We also learn about the setting of the story. Most importantly, we are introduced to the main conflict (main problem). This usually occurs at the beginning of a short story. Here the characters are introduced. We also learn about the setting of the story. Most importantly, we are introduced to the main conflict (main problem). Slide 8 MAC Cowichan Secondary English 2. Initiating Incident This is the first thing that happens in a story. (Initiating means starting). This is the first thing that happens in a story. (Initiating means starting). 2 Slide 9 MAC Cowichan Secondary English Incidents Each even that happens in a plot is called an incident. These are all incidents in the plot. Each even that happens in a plot is called an incident. These are all incidents in the plot. 2 Obviously, the longer a story is, the more thngs are likely to occur in the story. Slide 10 MAC Cowichan Secondary English Incidents On a plot diagram we draw a line connecting the incidents. If the incident is very exciting, we draw a steep line, as shown here. On a plot diagram we draw a line connecting the incidents. If the incident is very exciting, we draw a steep line, as shown here. 2 Slide 11 MAC Cowichan Secondary English Incidents Of course, not every story is an exciting cliffhanger, and some plot diagrams can be very shallow. Of course, not every story is an exciting cliffhanger, and some plot diagrams can be very shallow. Slide 12 MAC Cowichan Secondary English 3. Crisis Sometimes an incident is very exciting, such as when the protagonist has a life or death decision to make. This is a crisis. Sometimes an incident is very exciting, such as when the protagonist has a life or death decision to make. This is a crisis. 3 Slide 13 MAC Cowichan Secondary English 3. Crisis There can be more than one crisis in the rising action. There can be more than one crisis in the rising action. Slide 14 MAC Cowichan Secondary English 4: Anti-climax Often, following a crisis, the tension level often goes down, and the reader can relax a bit. This is an anti-climax. Often, following a crisis, the tension level often goes down, and the reader can relax a bit. This is an anti-climax. 4 Slide 15 MAC Cowichan Secondary English 4: Anti-climax Not every incident is followed by an anti- climax. Not every incident is followed by an anti- climax. 4 Slide 16 MAC Cowichan Secondary English 5. Rising Action The rising action is everything between the initial incident and the climax. The rising action is everything between the initial incident and the climax. Slide 17 MAC Cowichan Secondary English 5. Rising Action This part of the story develops the conflict(s). A building of interest or suspense occurs. This part of the story develops the conflict(s). A building of interest or suspense occurs. Slide 18 MAC Cowichan Secondary English 6. Climax This is the most emotionally intense moment of a story, and is usually close to (or identical to) the turning point of the story. This is the most emotionally intense moment of a story, and is usually close to (or identical to) the turning point of the story. Often, the main character comes face-to-face with the main conflict and is forced to take action. Often, the main character comes face-to-face with the main conflict and is forced to take action. Slide 19 MAC Cowichan Secondary English 7. Falling Action All loose ends of the plot are tied up. The conflict(s) and climax are taken care of. All loose ends of the plot are tied up. The conflict(s) and climax are taken care of. Slide 20 MAC Cowichan Secondary English 8. Resolution The story comes to a reasonable ending. The story comes to a reasonable ending. Slide 21 MAC Cowichan Secondary English There are several types of resolution Happy ending Happy ending The main characters get what they want. The main characters get what they want. Slide 22 MAC Cowichan Secondary English There are several types of resolution Unhappy ending Unhappy ending The main characters dont get what they want. The main characters dont get what they want. Slide 23 MAC Cowichan Secondary English There are several types of resolution Tragic ending Tragic ending The main character dies or suffers great loss. The main character dies or suffers great loss. Slide 24 MAC Cowichan Secondary English There are several types of resolution Surprise ending Surprise ending While the ending makes sense, it is not what the reader was expecting. While the ending makes sense, it is not what the reader was expecting. Slide 25 MAC Cowichan Secondary English There are several types of resolution Indeterminate ending Indeterminate ending There is no clear outcome. The reader is left wondering exactly how the conflict would be resolved. There is no clear outcome. The reader is left wondering exactly how the conflict would be resolved. Slide 26 MAC Cowichan Secondary English There are several types of resolution Cliffhanger Cliffhanger The conflict in a very exciting story is not resolved until the very last moment. The conflict in a very exciting story is not resolved until the very last moment. Slide 27 MAC Cowichan Secondary English How do I make a plot diagram? Begin by making a list of the most important things that happen in the story. If you write them directly on the lower half of a sheet of paper, you wont have to rewrite them later. Begin by making a list of the most important things that happen in the story. If you write them directly on the lower half of a sheet of paper, you wont have to rewrite them later. Draw a dot above the initial incident in the story, and then draw a line to the next dot. If the event is exciting, draw a steep line, if not, draw a shallow line. Draw a dot above the initial incident in the story, and then draw a line to the next dot. If the event is exciting, draw a steep line, if not, draw a shallow line. Slide 28 MAC Cowichan Secondary English How do I make a plot diagram? Add the exposition, then above your plot diagram, label Add the exposition, then above your plot diagram, label The exposition The exposition The initial incident The initial incident At least one crisis At least one crisis At least one anti-climax At least one anti-climax The rising action The rising action The climax The climax The falling action The falling action The resolution The resolution Slide 29 M Carmichael CSS English A few more terms you need to know... Slide 30 MAC Cowichan Secondary English Turning Point Where the protagonist makes a decision, or takes some action, that ultimately leads to the resolution of the story. Where the protagonist makes a decision, or takes some action, that ultimately leads to the resolution of the story. Slide 31 MAC Cowichan Secondary English Foreshadowing When the narrator gives hints about events that occur later in the story. When the narrator gives hints about events that occur later in the story. Slide 32 MAC Cowichan Secondary English Subplot A minor storyline, secondary to the main plot. A minor storyline, secondary to the main plot. Slide 33 MAC Cowichan Secondary English Flashback A break in the normal sequence of events, where an episode from the characters past is revealed. A break in the normal sequence of events, where an episode from the characters past is revealed. Slide 34 MAC Cowichan Secondary English Denouement The unknotting of plot and conflict following a climax. The unknotting of plot and conflict following a climax. Slide 35 MAC Cowichan Secondary English Conflict The central struggle of a story, that adds dramatic tension (the reader reads on to find out what is happening). The central struggle of a story, that adds dramatic tension (the reader reads on to find out what is happening). The main conflict between the protagonist and someone or something else is called the central conflict The main conflict between the protagonist and someone or something else is called the central conflict Slide 36 MAC Cowichan Secondary English External Conflict Person versus Person Person versus Person Person versus Environment Person versus Environment Person versus Situation Person versus Situation Person versus Supernatural Person versus Supernatural Slide 37 MAC Cowichan Secondary English Internal Conflict Intellectual conflict Intellectual conflict Moral conflict Moral conflict Spiritual conflict Spiritual conflict Slide 38 MAC Cowichan Secondary English Dilemma A problem with no good solution A problem with no good solution A choice between two or more undesirable options A choice between two or more undesirable options Slide 39 MAC Cowichan Secondary English Predicament A difficult problem with at least one good option A difficult problem with at least one good option A problem where the character involved can hope for a happy solution A problem where the character involved can hope for a happy solution Slide 40 MAC Cowichan Secondary English Frame Story The result of inserting one or more small stories within the body of a larger story that encompasses the smaller ones. The result of inserting one or more small stories within the body of a larger story that encompasses the smaller ones. The opening part of the story usually has some exposition, while the closing offers a commentary. The opening part of the story usually has some exposition, while the closing offers a commentary. Examples are Canterbury Tales by Chaucer, Heart of Darkness by Conrad. Examples are Canterbury Tales by Chaucer, Heart of Darkness by Conrad. Slide 41 MAC Cowichan Secondary English Story within a Story The result of inserting one or more small stories within the body of a larger story that encompasses the smaller ones. The result of inserting one or more small stories within the body of a larger story that encompasses the smaller ones. The opening part of the story usually has some exposition, while the closing offers a commentary. The opening part of the story usually has some exposition, while the closing offers a commentary. Examples are Canterbury Tales by Chaucer, Heart of Darkness by Conrad. Examples are Canterbury Tales by Chaucer, Heart of Darkness by Conrad.