Plot Structure

1. Plot Structure

2. Need to Know Info • Protagonist: The main character, an average or better person, who experience happiness or misery • Antagonist: The person or force opposing the protagonist • Atmosphere: The environment of the play • Plot: Series of events in the play that happen before the audience • Exposition: The “who, what, where, when” of the play, and how it is made known to the audience

3. Preliminary Situation • Also known as the antecedent action • The events that have occurred in the character’s lives before the play began • How did they get to this situation? • Arsenic and Old Lace

4. Initial Incident • The first important event from which the rest of the plot develops • The event that causes all the other events to occur • Arsenic and Old Lace

5. Rising Action • The series of events that follows the initial incident • All important characters are introduced • Goals and obstacles are introduced • This is the “meat” of the play • Arsenic and Old Lace

6. Climax • The turning point of the play • It determines the outcome of the play • All the questions are answered • Arsenic and Old Lace

7. Falling Action • Series of events following the play • Minor situations are worked out • We learn what will happen to the characters • Shorter than the rising action • Arsenic and Old Lace

8. Conclusion • The logical outcome of the play • The success or failures of the characters • Arsenic and Old Lace