Short Story Plot Layout

1
Short Story Plot Layout
November 4, 2004

• Conflict struggle between opposing forces
• A. Man Vs. Man (External Conflict)
• 1. Struggle between 2 or more people
• B. Man Vs. Self (Internal Conflict)
• 1. Struggle concerning an emotional decision
• C. Man Vs. Nature
• 1. Struggle between man an element of nature

2

• Complication
• A. Mini conflicts that contribute to the rise
  in action (Rising Action of Plot Diagram)
• Climax
• A. Turning point of the story
• Falling Action
• A. Events that lead to the resolution
• 1. Happens AFTER climax
• Resolution
• A. Outcome of the Conflict