Plot: a chain of related events

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Plot a chain of related events
Plot is the literary element that describes the
structure of a story. It shows the a causal
arrangement of events and actions within a story.
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Types of Linear Plots

• Plots can be told in

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Pyramid Plot Structure

• The most basic and traditional form of plot is
  pyramid-shaped.
• This structure has been described in more
  detail by Aristotle and by Gustav Freytag.

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Aristotles Unified Plot
The basic triangle-shaped plot structure was
described by Aristotle in 350 BCE. Aristotle used
the beginning, middle, and end structure to
describe a story that moved along a linear path,
following a chain of cause and effect as it works
toward the solution of a conflict or crisis.
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Freytags Plot Structure
Freytag modified Aristotles system by adding a
rising action (or complication) and a falling
action to the structure. Freytag used the
five-part design shown above to describe a
storys plot.
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Modified Plot Structure
Freytags Pyramid is often modified so that it
extends slightly before and after the primary
rising and falling action. You might think of
this part of the chart as similar to the warm-up
and cool-down for the story.
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Plot Components
Climax the turning point, the most intense
momenteither mentally or in action
Rising Action the series of conflicts and crisis
in the story that lead to the climax
Falling Action all of the action which follows
the climax
Exposition the start of the story, the
situation before the action starts
Resolution the conclusion, the tying together of
all of the threads
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Subplots

• plots that are part of the larger story but not
  as important.

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Plot Line
Climax

• The planned action or series of events in a story.

Resolution
Exposition
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Parallel Episodes

• occur when the storyteller repeats the main
  outline of an episode several times (example 3
  Little Pigs)

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Conflict

• Conflict is the dramatic struggle between two
  forces in a story. Without conflict, there is no
  plot.

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Types of Conflict
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Characterization

• The ways in which a writer develops a character,
  making him or her seem believable.
• Sharing the characters thoughts, actions and
  dialogue.
• Describing his or her appearance.
• Revealing what others in the story think of this
  character

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Types of Characterization

• Direct the writer makes direct statements about
  a character's personality and tells what the
  character is like.
• Indirect the writer reveals information about a
  character and his personality through that
  character's thoughts, words, and actions, along
  with how other characters respond to that
  character, including what they think and say
  about him.

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Characterization cont.

• An alert writer might recognize that the two
  methods of characterization fall under the
  decision to show or to tell.
• Direct characterization tells the reader.
• Indirect characterization shows the reader.

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Direct Characterization

• Julie owned a multitude of outfits and
  accessories, and it always took her forever to
  decide which combination might impress Trent. As
  usual, she called her sister several times for
  advice. After doing so, Julie decided to give the
  navy blue skirt with the white sweater a try.

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Indirect Characterization

• Julie held up six different outfits in front of
  the mirror and pondered which would go best with
  her navy blue shoes, pastel eye shadow and the
  diamond earrings shed already procured from her
  overflowing vanity. After ninety minutes of
  mixing and matching, and cell-phoning her sister
  three times for advice, Julie finally made up her
  mind. Shed give the navy blue skirt and white
  sweater a try, hoping Trent would love it.

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Motivation

• an element that influences a character's actions
  and/or personality for instance, greed or fear
  could motivate a character to behave in a certain
  manner.