Identifying the Elements of A Plot Diagram

1
Identifying the Elements of A Plot Diagram

• Student Notes

2
Plot Diagram
Climax
4
Rising action
Falling action
3
Exposition
5
Narrative hook
2
Resolution
1
6
3
Plot (definition)

• Plot is the organized pattern or sequence of
  events that make up a story. Every plot is made
  up of a series of incidents that are related to
  one another.

4
1. Narrative Hook
This "hooks" the reader's attention right at the
OPENING of the story so that he or she will keep
on reading. The "opening" may consist of several
paragraphs for a short story, or several pages
for a novel, but ideally it is the opening
sentence. One of the most common forms is
dramatic action, which engages the reader into
wondering what the consequences of the action
will be.
Ex narrative voice stating that we (humans)
traveled to Pandora after our home (earth) was
used up.
5
2. Exposition

• This usually occurs at the beginning of a short
  story. Here the characters are introduced. We
  also learn about the setting of the story. Most
  importantly, we are introduced to the main
  conflict (main problem).

Ex Jake Sully deboarding space craft, walking
around army base, and hearing of the dangerous
jungle creatures and natives of Pandora.
6
3. Rising Action

• This part of the story begins to develop the
  conflict(s). A building of interest or suspense
  occurs.

Ex viewer learns that there is a group of
natives on Pandora that are in the way of the
humans getting the precious natural resource they
want, Jake becomes native himself, etc
7
4. Climax

• This is the turning point of the story. Usually
  the main character comes face to face with a
  conflict. The main character will change in some
  way.

Ex Jake becomes leader of natives and leads
battle of large scale to protect natives magic
tree.
8
5. Falling Action

• All loose ends of the plot are tied up. The
  conflict(s) and climax are taken care of.

Ex Jake and natives win battle, deport all but
good humans OFF of Pandora, back to Earth.
9
6. Resolution

• The story comes to a reasonable ending.

Ex Jakes spirit is transferred to the native
body, and he is allowed to live in peace and love
with his new people.
10
Putting It All Together
1 / 2. Narrative hook Exposition 3. Rising
Action 4. Climax 5. Falling Action 6. Resolution
Beginning of Story
Middle of Story
End of Story