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Plot

Plot. More than what happens…. Plot is how the author presents ideas for the reader. The author guides the reader’s reaction to the text via: Arrangement Cause & Effect Character interaction. Plot…like a roller-coaster ride.

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Plot

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  1. Plot More than what happens…

  2. Plot is how the author presents ideas for the reader • The author guides the reader’s reaction to the text via: • Arrangement • Cause & Effect • Character interaction

  3. Plot…like a roller-coaster ride A roller coaster designer plans how riders will react to each hill, turn, and loop. Likewise…An author plans how readers will react to each stage of the plot.

  4. Plot…like a game waiting for players. • The game provides the framework, but each time it is played, each player has a different experience.

  5. Stages of Plot The 4 traditional plot stages based upon Aristotle’s model.

  6. Stages of Plot • Stage 1Exposition – reveals facts and setup, introduces characters • a fancy word for the beginning of the story- where the author "sets the stage” • the situation of the characters in the story is explained and it leads up to the further development of the plot • the point of view and the setting (the where and the when) is also explained

  7. Stages of Plot • Stage 2Rising Action/Crisis – peak in action; moment of tension or importance • the series of action, or complications, that sets up the conflict for the main character • the tension builds as the story works its way up to the climax

  8. Stages of Plot • Stage 3Climax – point of greatest tension or importance • the high point in the story • the turning point where the conflict comes to a head and is decided for one side or the other • usually the most exciting point in the story

  9. Stages of Plot • Stage 4Resolution – outcome, consequences, how the piece ends. • Resolution sometimes employs “deus ex machina” -or- "god from the machine.“ • In some ancient Greek drama, an apparently insoluble crisis was solved by the intervention of a god, often brought on stage by an elaborate piece of equipment. This was literally a deus ex machina.

  10. Stages of Plot

  11. Sub-plots • Sub-plots can help to move the main plot along to its conclusion, by adding details and past information, usually something the main character wasn’t previously aware of. • Sub-plots can also be used effectively to push the main plot off the tracks to add layers of obstacles, mystery, and suspense, to intrigue your reader and keep them turning the pages to find out how the story will be resolved.

  12. Alternatives to the traditional stages of plot (Most frequently found in modern literature)

  13. Episodic Plot: • Structure of plot: • Made up of a series of chapters or brief stories, each of which has its own plot, builds to an end, and has its own climax. • The episodes are usually linked because they are all about the same character, but there is no overall plot or climax to the piece. • Episodes could be put in a different order or left out without changing the story substantially.

  14. Plot w/Gradual development: • Plot has incidents and conflict, but tension and suspense are minimal, and plot does not rise to a definite climax.

  15. Rising action Plot: • Plot has definite conflict, tension, and suspense which rises to a climax; plot ends at that point without fully resolving the outcome.

  16. Rising and falling action Plot: • Plot has definite conflict, tension, and suspense which rises to a climax; climax is followed by the falling action in which the outcome is resolved.

  17. Parallel plot: • Two plots which have similar incidents are described simultaneously or one after the other; plots may (usually do) intersect at some point

  18. Authors build plot with Flashback& Foreshadowing Flashback • Examines situation occurring before the time of story • Substitutes for formal in-depth explanation • Interruption in storyline • Can help build suspense Foreshadowing • Hint or bit of evidence about what is to happen • Helps create suspense • Deepens character development

  19. WHAT skillful authors LEAVE OUT OF STORIESwhen they write... 1. CLICHES!!!(if you’ve heard it before or it’s “an expression,” it does not belong in literature!) 2.any explanations or backgroundthis information should be embedded with flashback/foreshadowing. 3.what characters dowhen they’re not in the scene 4.elapsed time Readers need orientation to a new time, but the clock ticking in the background can be distracting. 5. long descriptionsalthough these seem to work for Faulkner! 6.travelinghow characters get from one place to another, unless the travel is important .

  20. Your own writing If you write short stories, here are some ways you can apply plot conventions

  21. Which comes first??? • Does the plot develop as a result of character behavior or do the events in the plot shape the characters? • Perhaps a bit of both…one cannot really progress without the other.

  22. Try an outline first • Sketch out a basic plot to guide your planning • Leave the outline flexible to changes…don’t try to over-plan right away • Write a brief synopsis or “TV Guide summary”

  23. Plotting is like cooking • How do you make a pasta dish? What do you use? Which steps to you focus upon? • All pasta cooking would include a few common characteristics: boiling water, pasta, and sauce/topping. • However, when someone says, “We’re having pasta for dinner,” different variations and preparations undoubtedly come to mind.

  24. Plotting is like cooking • Like pasta dishes, short stories/novels also have some very basic elements in common. • Like pasta chefs who spice foods to please their guests, writers add unique elements to spice up the plot and create a variety of experiences for readers.

  25. Common Plot Patterns • from problem to solution • from mystery to solution • from conflict to peace • from danger to safety • from confusion to order • from dilemma to decision • from ignorance to knowledge • from questions to answers Any of these would work in reverse too!

  26. Keep the stages in mind • As you read or write fiction, be sure to have some idea of the “big picture” • Think about which stages of plot apply to each event in your reading/writing. • Consider outlining the story whenever you read/write fiction. With an outline, the main theme will not be lost in a jumble of scenes • Keep this in mind: What is the purpose of the scene? Note how the author keeps moving the story forward.

  27. OK, Start plotting… End of presentation.

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