Plot Structure

Karen S Wright

Plot Structure

Climax

Rising Action

Exposition

Falling Action

Conclusion

Conflict is introduced

early.

Conflict

Conflict can occur in many different forms:•Person vs. Person•Person vs. Society•Person vs. Nature•Person vs. God or supernatural•Person vs. Self

Characterization

Round character: We see all sides of a character—good and bad.

Flat character: We see only one side of the character.

Dynamic: The character changes (not all round characters are dynamic).

Static: The character stays the same.

In the exposition, the characters are introduced.

We learn about a character by what a character does. . .

What as character says. . .

What others say about the character.

Who is the Hero and Villain?

Protagonist = “the good guy” (often the hero)

Antagonist = “the bad guy”

Stories have a protagonist and an antagonist:

Stream of Consciousness•The stream of consciousness provides characterization both by the nature of the character’s thoughts and by the nature of the particular thought process.

•Thoughts are by association, so one thought leads to another.

•These thoughts can be from the past or present.

•Stream of consciousness is fragmented and disjointed.

•In the exposition, the point of view becomes apparent.•The point of view is the perspective from which the story is told.

•First person narrator:The narrator is part of the story, the “I.”

•Third Person Narrator:Anonymous, objective, an observer where characters are referred to as “he,” “she,” or “they.”

•Objective Narrator: The narrator is like a roving camera giving a picture of the action without comment.

•Limited Omniscience: The narrator possesses limited knowledge.

•Omniscience: The narrator knows everything.

SettingThe setting is a vital part of the exposition and the physical/spiritual background of a narrative.

•Geographical location

•Occupations and manner of living

•Time period when action takes place

•General environment of characters (mental, religious, moral, social, emotional)

The rising action is the thickening of the plot, the complication, where all the elements of the exposition continue to grow.

•The climax in the plot structure is the highest point of interest.

•The turning point of the action.

•The place where the rising action reverses and begins the falling action.

FALLING

ACTION

•The falling action follows the climax in the plot structure.•The falling action often begins with a tragic force and can exhibit the falling forces of the hero.

•Final stage of falling action•Winds up the plot •Usually involves the death of the hero.