Thinking about plot

1. Thinking about plot The series of events The storyline

2. Exposition the introduction • setting • character • any background needed • beginning of conflict

3. Conflict The main problem in the story: ____________ vs. ___________ Occurs between the protagonist and the antagonist (the main character and someone/something that is causing him or her a problem) The conflict can be character vs. character character vs. nature character vs. society character vs. self

4. The conflict can be External – can be seen and heard. - happens outside of the characters Internal - can not necessarily be seen or heard - happens within a character - a decision, emotional turmoil

5. Complications Small problems and events make the main problem worse. The story line becomes more complicated. The complications create the rising action and suspense.

6. Complications make the conflict more intense. Crisis is when the conflict is the most intense.

7. confrontation The protagonist and antagonist come face to face, eyeball to eyeball. The crisis reaches the most serious point

8. climax At this point, we hold our breath and wonder what the result will be. And when the action brings the story to the most intense point …. something happens and we breathe again because we find out what we have wanted to know.

9. The point at which we know what direction the story is going to go If we would turn the storyline upside down on the point, the climax is the event which tips the story and turns the story toward the end. The climax: the tipping or turning point

10. Falling action • The conflict is resolved. • All loose ends are wrapped up and questions are answered • The story concludes