Transcript PLOT STRUCTURE

The chronological blueprint
for all short stories, novels,
and drama.
To whom it may concern:
Any information that I tell you qualifies as
being of high enough importance that it may
reappear on a test or a quiz at anytime
throughout the year. That may lead one to ask,
“Do I have to write down this information that
you are showing me?”
What do you think!
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CLIMAX
EXPOSITION
RISING ACTION
RESOLUTION / DENEMOUNT
FALLING ACTION
CONFLICT
Protagonist
Antagonist
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Protagonist is the leading character, hero, or
heroine of a drama or literary work. The
audience roots for this person and takes joy in
their successes and disappointment in their
mistakes.
Antagonist is the adversary of the hero or
protagonist of a drama or other literary work.
Makes life miserable for the hero and does
everything he/she can to insure the
protagonist fails at his / her endeavors.
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The exposition provides the background
information needed to properly understand the
story, such as the protagonist, the antagonist, the
basic conflict, and the setting.
Usually the least intriguing part of the story or
novel.
The exposition ends with the inciting moment,
which is the incident without which there would
be no story. The inciting moment sets the
remainder of the story in motion beginning the
rising action.
There are two
main types of
conflict.
External and Internal
A struggle between a
character and an
outside force
Man
– vs.Man
Man
– vs.Nature
Man – vs. Supernatural
Man
– vs.Animal
Man – vs.- Society
Man
– vs.Technology
Man – vs. - Self
Now that you
know conflict
we can move
on!
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During rising action, the basic conflict is
complicated by the introduction of various
obstacles that frustrate the protagonist's
attempt to reach his goal.
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The climax, or turning point, marks a change,
for the better or the worse, in the protagonist’s
affairs. If the story is a comedy, things will
have gone badly for the protagonist up to this
point; now, the tide, so to speak, will turn, and
things will begin to go well for him or her. If
the story is a tragedy, the opposite state of
affairs will ensue, with things going from good
to bad for the protagonist.
The final resolution of the conflict.
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During the falling action, or resolution, which
is the moment of reversal after the climax, the
conflict between the protagonist and the
antagonist unravels, with the protagonist
winning or losing against the antagonist. The
falling action might contain a moment of final
suspense, during which the final outcome of
the conflict is in doubt.
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The comedy ends with a dénouement (a
conclusion) in which the protagonist is better
off than at the story's outset.
The tragedy ends with a catastrophe in which
the protagonist is worse off than at the
beginning of the narrative.
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In your groups identify
Protagonist
 Antagonist
 Type of conflict
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In your groups complete Plot Chart.
Do all plotlines have to follow this structure?
Do you know of any plots that don’t follow this
format when events are outlined
chronologically?
Think – Pair - Share