Once upon a time…

Plot is the sequence of related events that tells us what happens in a story. A good plot: Has characters who experience a problem/conflict Has a conflict that is resolved in some way Includes interesting details that add depth to the

story Takes place in a specific span of time

Building Blocks of Plot

Basic situation (exposition)

Introduces the main character and setting (time and place) of the story. Often the character wants something very much and encounters a conflict while trying to get it

Conflict

Struggle between a character and something or someone else

External conflict: a struggle between a character and something outside himself/herself (another character, nature, God, fate, society, etc.)

Internal conflict: a struggle between a character and himself or herself (a struggle inside the character’s mind)

Building Blocks of Plot

Complications

Problems that arise during a story that keep the main character from getting what he/she wants

Climax

The story’s most exciting or suspenseful moment, when something happens that decides the outcome of the conflict. Usually occurs toward the end of the story.

Building Blocks of Plot

Resolution (denouement)

The last part of the plot where the conflict is resolved, and the story ends. A good resolution makes the story feel complete.

Structured Pair Share

What is plot, and what makes a good plot? What are the two types of conflict and how are they different?

A: Plot is _______________. A good plot __ _______________________________.

B: The two types of conflict are _________.

They are different because _____________.

Playing with TimeChronological order

The author begins at the beginning of the story, then tells about each event in the order in which it happens

Flashback

The present action in a story is interrupted with a scene or scenes from the past

Flashforward

The present action in a story is interrupted with a scene or scenes from the future

En media res

The author begins in the middle of the story and the beginning is filled in later (through flashbacks, dialogue, etc.)

What Happens Next?!?

Foreshadowing

The writer plants clues that hint at something that will happen later in the plot

Suspense

The quality in a story or play that makes the reader eager to discover what happens next and how it will end

Authors often manipulate time and use techniques such as foreshadowing in order to build suspense (and keep us reading)

Structured Pair Share

What are the ways that authors play with time when telling their story? How do authors create suspense?

A: Authors use _____, _____, _____, and _____ to play with time in a story.

B: Author’s create suspense by _________ _____________________.

…in a land (or galaxy) far, far away…

Setting

Where and when a story takes place. Setting: Puts us in the situation with the characters Includes customs (food, dress, behavior) Gives the story a truth or believability Allows us to visit faraway places and times

without ever leaving home

Does Setting Matter?

Setting helps create a story’s: Mood: how the story makes the reader

feel while reading Tone: how the author feels about a given

subject (a character, society, an idea, the reader, etc.)

Characters: Our environment affects in one way or another, so setting can provide clues as to what a character is like.

Conflict: In some cases, the setting can provide the conflict for the main character, or reflect the character’s internal conflict.

Structured Pair Share

What is setting? Why is setting important in a story?

A: Setting is _________________________.

B: Setting is important because _________ _________________________________.

Summary

Define plot. Why is it important for a story to have a good plot?

What are the two types of conflict and how are they different?

When does the climax of a story usually occur? What is the purpose of the climax?

What is setting and how does it affect a story?