Plot and Conflict

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Plot and Conflict
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Plot

• A sequence of events, causally related
• What happens in the story

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Plot Arrangement

• Chronological
• (ab ovo at the beginning)1st event happens
  first, etc
• In media res
• The story begins in the middle of the action
• Episodic
• Short plots occurring one after the other

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Plot Sub-Arrangements

• Flashback
• Past events are experienced as a memory
• Foreshadowing
• Suggesting, indicating, hinting or showing what
  will happen later in a story
• Anastrophe
• Sequence of events chopped into segments and then
  scrambled

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Plot Structure

• Exposition
• Background
• Rising action
• Complication
• Crisis
• Moment of highest tension or indecision in
  primary conflict
• Climax
• Resolution of the crisis rest of action
  inevitable
• Resolution/denouement
• Tying up of loose ends

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What is Conflict?

• A clash between opposing forces, usually forcing
  the main character into a dilemma.

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Four Types of Conflict

• (1) Individual Conflict
• One person in opposition with another
• Typically the simplest and least interesting kind
  of conflict

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Types of Conflict

• (2) Social conflict
• one person vs. a larger group
• Almost always present and significant

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Types of Conflict

• (3) Natural conflict
• Typically, this kind of conflict involves some
  form of nature
• Depending on ones perspective, it could be a
  conflict with God.

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Types of Conflict

• (4) Self
• A person in conflict with himself
• Generally, the most interesting and significant
  when it is present
• Often the person in conflict doesnt realize it.

Of all the gin joints
Well always have Paris
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How Character is viewed through Conflict

• Protagonist
• Central character in central conflict
• Antagonist
• Whoever or whatever opposes the protagonist