Slide 1

NARRATIVE STRUCTURE OF THE
SHORT STORY

By Eric Jacobs

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Information

To navigate, use the symbols below
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Slide 3

Objectives
Upon completion of this
presentation, you will be able to
distinguish and predict the
important elements of plot
structure in a short story.


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Directions
To learn more about the elements of
plot structure, click the MENU or NEXT
buttons below.

When you’re ready, take the QUIZ to
find out how much you know.


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Menu
Plot
Diagram

Objective

Quiz
Disclaimer

Credits


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Plot Diagram – What is it?
Usually, in a short story, there are
common key elements or events
that happen. These common events
are crucial to keep the story
moving, engaging and also to help
the reader understand the
narrative as a whole .


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Plot Diagram
There are six main parts of the
short story narrative: exposition,
initiating event, rising action,
climax, falling action, and
resolution. Click the NEXT button
to see where all of these pieces
function in a graphic.


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Plot Diagram
If we could draw a
picture of what a story
might look like in plot
structure, it would look
like this.
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Each numbered ‘button’
represents an important
stage in the plot


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Plot Diagram
Click the numbered
buttons to reveal
information on each
element of plot on the
diagram

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Exposition
The exposition
reveals
important details
about the story
including: setting,
characters, and
time.

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Initiating Event
This is the event
in the story that
activates the
plot and future
conflicts in the
story.

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Rising Action
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This is where
conflicts arise and
heighten the
tension of the story.


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Climax
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The ‘peak’ of the
story and the
highest point of
tension.
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Falling Action
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The conflict in the story
lessens and tension
begins to subside.


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Resolution
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The conflict
is resolved.

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Quiz – #1 Where is the CLIMAX?
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Correct!
Try Again

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Quiz – #2 Where is the INITIATING EVENT?
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Correct!
Try Again

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Quiz – #3 Where is the EXPOSITION?
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Correct!
Try Again

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Quiz – #4 Where is FALLING ACTION?
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Correct!
Try Again

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Quiz – #5 Where is the RESOLUTION?
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Correct!
Try Again

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Quiz – #6 Where is the RISING ACTION?
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Correct!
Try Again

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Congratulations!
Congratulations! You have
finished the quiz. Click the
MENU button below to
retrieve the main menu.


Slide 23

Credits
Created by Eric Jacobs
For a movie version on plot
diagrams click link below
Short Story Plot Graph


Slide 24

Disclaimer
This presentation may contain
material protected under copyright
law. This material was obtained and
used following a reasoned analysis
of the Fair Use exemption for
educators. This presentation may not
be reproduced.