Elements of Fiction: Plot

1
Elements of FictionPlot

• A Storys Road Map

2
What is plot in a work of fiction?

• Is it just what the story is about?
• Is it just the events of a story?
• Is it a mystery that no one can seem to agree on?
• Is it Bigfoot? ?

3
Consider this

• What is the difference between the following two
  statements?
• 1. The king died, and then the queen died.
• 2. The king died, and then the queen died from
  grief.

4
How then can we define plot?

• Take a moment and work with a partner to
  come up with a definition for plot, knowing the
  second statement represents how plot works.
• How would you define plot?

5
Order Connection Plot

• Order how the events of a story are arranged
• What are some of the ways the events of a plot
  can be arranged?
• Connection how the various events of a story
  are related to one another
• What are some ways in which the events of a story
  can be related or connected?

6
A Workable Definition of Plot

• Plot is the framework of story
  events/actions/ideas/thoughts that are connected
  to one another in meaningful ways.
• How does Statement 2 fit into this definition?
• Why are we calling this a workable definition?

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Basic Components of Plot
Climax
Rising Action
Falling Action
Flow of a Storys Plot
Exposition
Resolution
8
Basic Components of PlotExposition

• Exposition is information given to help the
  reader understand what is going on and why. It
  usually comes at the beginning of a story.
• After reading the fairy tale, what specific
  information is included in the exposition? Does
  any expository information appear anywhere else
  besides the beginning?

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Basic Components of PlotRising Action

• Rising Action is a series of events that
  build upon one another, leading to one main event
  or climax.
• What would be an example of Rising Action in
  the fairy tale?

10
Basic Components of PlotClimax

• Climax is the moment in the plot where the
  action/emotion is the most intense. The climax
  leads directly into the falling action.
• What would you say is the climax of the
  fairy tale?

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Basic Components of PlotFalling Action

• Falling Action is the series of events that
  occur as a direct result of the storys climax.
  The Falling Action leads into the plots
  Resolution.
• Describe some of the Falling Action in the
  Fairy Tale.

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Basic Components of PlotResolution

• Resolution is the moment when the plots
  issues, conflicts, or problems are resolved in
  some way. It is the end result of all the other
  components combined.
• What is the resolution of the fairy tale?

13
Group Activity

• Working in a group, map out the Plot Flow
  of the Fairy Tale. Be sure to label the MOST
  important events that occur in the Rising Action
  and Falling Action.

14
Tonight

• As you are reading Rain Rain Go Away by
  Isaac Asimov, think about what the major events
  of the plot are, how they are connected, and what
  you think the climax of the story is. Be sure
  you can support your answers in tomorrows
  discussion.