Plot Diagram and Short Story Elements

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Plot Diagram and Short Story Elements

• The Scarlet Ibis

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Plot Diagram

• A plot is the main story, broken up into 5 main
  parts.
• A plot diagram shows you how the story is
  organized and highlights the 5 main parts.

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Plot Diagram

• Exposition what happens first is discussed
  this is where we get information on the
  background, setting, characters, etc.
• Example - Cinderella lives with her evil
  stepmother and stepsisters and is treated poorly.
  There is going to be a ball, where the prince
  will choose a bride. Cinderellas step-family
  will not allow her to attend

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Plot Diagram

• Rising Action What leads up to the main
  problem/conflict
• Example - As the step-family prepares for the
  ball, Cinderella wishes she may be able to
  attend. Her fairy godmother comes to her aid and
  makes it possible for her to attend the ball, but
  she must leave at midnight. She dances with the
  prince and its a magical moment.

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Plot Diagram

• Climax The turning point of the story when the
  problem/conflict is at its worst The characters
  find a way to solve the problem.
• Example - It is midnight, and Cinderella must
  leave so she flees from the palace and loses her
  glass slipper on the steps. The prince is
  distraught at losing his love and is determined
  to find her.

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Plot Diagram

• Falling Action The characters begin/continue to
  solve the problem.
• Example - The prince uses the slipper to find
  Cinderella. He goes from house to house trying
  the slipper on every female in the land,
  searching for the slippers perfect fit. He
  tries the shoe on the stepmother and stepsisters,
  but it doesnt fit.

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Plot Diagram

• Resolution (denouement) how things end (the
  storys ending).
• Example Cinderella tries the slipper and it
  fits. Cinderella and the prince are reunited and
  married in the castle.

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Reflect

• Turn your paper over!
• Using your whiteboard, how many parts of the plot
  are there?

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Reflect

• Keep your paper over!
• Agree/Disagree The rising action is where the
  characters are introduced.

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Short Story Elements (some)

• Setting the place/time when the story is being
  told.
• Sometimes this is not given and the reader needs
  to use the clues (context clues) to help figure
  the setting out.

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Short Story Elements (some)

• Imagery the mental picture that the author
  creates when certain words/phrases are put
  together.
• This helps the reader understand exactly what is
  going on.

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Short Story Elements (some)

• Characters there are several types of
  characters however, we are going to focus on
  two.
• Dynamic
• Static

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Short Story Elements (some)

• Static Character a character that does not
  change in the story.
• They are the same person at the end, as they were
  in the beginning.

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Short Story Elements (some)

• Dynamic Character a character who changes by the
  end of the story.
• He/She is one who learns something important that
  makes them mature and/or provide insight into
  themselves or others.

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THINK ABOUT IT

• With a partner, create a list of two things that
  would make a character become Dynamic.
• With a partner, create a list of two things that
  would make YOU become a dynamic character.
• What do you notice about these two lists?