Title: What is wrong here
1What is wrong here?
The king died and the queen died.
The king died and then the queen died of grief.
2Teaching Plot Structure Through Short Stories
Plot is the literary element that describes the
structure of a story. It shows the a causal
arrangement of events and actions within a story.
3Types of Linear Plots
4Pyramid Plot Structure
- The most basic and traditional form of plot is
pyramid-shaped. - This structure has been described in more
detail by Aristotle and by Gustav Freytag.
5Aristotles Unified Plot
The basic triangle-shaped plot structure was
described by Aristotle in 350 BCE. Aristotle used
the beginning, middle, and end structure to
describe a story that moved along a linear path,
following a chain of cause and effect as it works
toward the solution of a conflict or crisis.
6Freytags Plot Structure
Freytag modified Aristotles system by adding a
rising action (or complication) and a falling
action to the structure. Freytag used the
five-part design shown above to describe a
storys plot.
7Modified Plot Structure
Freytags Pyramid is often modified so that it
extends slightly before and after the primary
rising and falling action. You might think of
this part of the chart as similar to the warm-up
and cool-down for the story.
8Plot Components
Climax the turning point, the most intense
momenteither mentally or in action
Rising Action the series of conflicts and crisis
in the story that lead to the climax
Falling Action all of the action which follows
the climax
Exposition the start of the story, the
situation before the action starts
Resolution the conclusion, the tying together of
all of the threads
9Conflict
- Conflict is the dramatic struggle between two
forces in a story. Without conflict, there is no
plot.
10Types of Conflict
11Readers Guide to Understanding Plot Development
1.What is the conflict in his story? How does
the writer present the problem between the
protagonist and antagonist?
2.What do you learn in the exposition or
introduction of the story?
3.What events are included in the rising action
of the story?
4.What is the climax of the story?
5.What events are included in the falling action
of the story?
6.How is the conflict resolved?
7.How does the writer use suspense in developing
the plot of this story?
12Possible Choices
- -Cinderella
- -The Three Little Pigs
- -Goldilocks
- -Beauty and the Beast
- -Hansel and Gretel
- -Sleeping Beauty
- -etc.
- Look at the back of your books, and write an
exciting back cover for one of these faerie tales
(or another book of your choice). - Remember, dont give away the ending ?