Identifying the Elements of A Plot Diagram

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Identifying the Elements of A Plot Diagram
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Plot (definition)

• Plot is the organized pattern or sequence of
  events that make up a story.

Like links in a chain, each event hooks our
curiosity and pulls us forward to the next event.
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Linear Plot Diagram
Most stories are told in chronological order, the
order in which events unfold in real time.
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2
1
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Linear Vs. Non-Linear Plot

• Linear means line because the events are in
  order.

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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).

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2. Rising Action

• This part of the story begins to develop the
  conflict(s). A building of interest or suspense
  occurs.

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3. Climax

• This is the turning point of the story. Usually
  the main character comes face to face with a
  conflict. The main character will change in some
  way.

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4. Falling Action

• All loose ends of the plot are tied up. The
  conflict(s) and climax are taken care of.

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5. Resolution

• The story comes to a reasonable ending.

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Linear Plot Diagram
Review What were those parts again?
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4
2
1
5
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Putting It All Together
1. Exposition 2. Rising Action 3. Climax 4.
Falling Action 5. Resolution
Beginning of Story
Middle of Story
End of Story
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Non-Linear

• Non-Linear plots are NOT in order they may
  follow more than one character, more than one
  event, start in the middle, or start at the end
  work backwards!

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In Media Res

• This is where an author starts the story in the
  middle. Then, they usually go back to the
  beginning to explain how they got there and then
  finish the story.

• Many movies and TV shows will do this as well,
  starting in the middle or near the end of the
  episode, and then back-track.

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Flashback
Flashbacka scene that interrupts the present
action of the plot to flash backward and tell
what happened at an earlier time. Flashbacks can

• provide background information

Present

• strengthen our understanding of a character

Past
Can you think of a book or movie that has a
flashback in it?
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Flash-Forward
Flash-Forwarda scene that interrupts the present
action of the plot to shift into the future.

• Flash-forwards can create dramatic irony. The
  readers know what will happen in the future, but
  the characters dont.

Present
Future
Can you think of a book or movie where time has
flashed forward?
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Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing is the use of clues to hint at
events that will occur later in the plot.

• Foreshadowing can make a story more exciting by
  increasing suspense.

• Movies do this all the time through
• Dialogue (Star Wars I dont have a good
  feeling about this)
• Music (Jaws you knew when someone was about to
  get attacked)
• Scenes (Sixth Sense re-watch it to see all the
  clues that you missed the first time around!)

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Isolated Scenes

• Each scene in a story plays a part. Authors
  think carefully about their diction, their
  descriptions, and each scene they write.
• An isolated scene can stand apart from the story
  but helps to develop the story by offering
  important insights.
• Examples
• A way to develop character (through an isolated
  flashback)
• A way to develop the conflict (through an
  internal struggle with a minor conflict this
  would show how how the character will really
  struggle with the major conflict)

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Subplots
This is when there are multiple, parallel plots
happening at once. Any additional, smaller story
lines happening below (sub) the main plot are
called subplots. They can connect, or help build
up the main plot, or may be un-related. Text
example A Civil War movie (war being main story
line) that also features a love story. (sub
plot) Movie Example Main story line Marlin
finding Nemo. Subplot Marlins transformation
from over-protective to trusting. At the
climax, when Marlin Nemo are fighting the net,
the main plot the subplot connect. Marlin has
to prove that hes really changed so he can trust
Nemo.