PlotPlot

Plot is what happens and how it Plot is what happens and how it happens in a narrative, or story. happens in a narrative, or story.

Sample Video (Creepy Pixar)

Diagram of PlotDiagram of Plot

Inciting incidentIntroduction

Ris

ing

Act

ion

Climax

Falling Action

Resolution

Parts of a PlotParts of a Plot

1. Introduction• Setting and characters are

introduced• Protagonist’s life is described

Parts of a PlotParts of a Plot

2. Inciting incident• Something happens to change

the protagonist’s life

Parts of a PlotParts of a Plot3. Rising Action• Conflicts develop

Conflict

• Fight or struggle between two things• Something keeps the protagonist from living

his normal, happy life

Two types of conflict:

EXTERNAL conflict• The protagonist struggles with something

around him

• Examples:• A violent person

• A violent animal

• Prejudice

• Dangerous weather

• Family disagreement

INTERNAL conflict• The protagonist struggles with something

inside himself

• Examples:• A dilemma

• Angry feelings

• Overpowering memories

Parts of a PlotParts of a Plot

3. Rising Action• Conflicts develop

Parts of a PlotParts of a Plot4. Climax

• Conflict is highest• Excitement is highest

Parts of a PlotParts of a Plot

5. Falling Action

• The protagonist or

the antagonist wins

the conflict

• The conflict fades

Parts of a PlotParts of a Plot

6. Resolution• Life continues, but

probably in a new way

• What will the characters’ lives be like from now on?

ThemeThe moral of the story; its view on life.

Evidence of Theme from The Thin Executioner

“But surely you want your enemies to pay the way you’ve paid,” said Jebel.

Tel Hesani shook his head. “Slavery is wrong. While there’s even one slave on Makhras, the world is a lesser place.”

Jebel’s face crinkled. “But after all these years of captivity… your family held too… suffering at the hands of cruel masters… you must hate. You must want revenge.”

“No,” Tel Hesani said firmly. “The Um Aineh are committing a terrible crime, and they will live to regret it one dat. You can’t hate those who are harming themselves. Instead you pity them and try to help them if you can.”

Possible themes:

• Slavery is wrong

• All people have feelings and desires

• We should have sympathy, not bitterness, toward others

The Lion and the MouseAesop

A lion lay asleep in the forest, his great head resting on his paws.  A timid little mouse accidently ran across the lion's nose.  Woken from his nap, the lion laid his huge paw angrily on the tiny creature to kill her. "Spare me!" begged the poor mouse. "Please let me go and some day I will surely repay you." The lion was so amused at the idea of the little mouse being able to help the King of Beasts, that he lifted up his paw and let her go. 

Some weeks later, the lion was caught in a net.  The hunter tied him to a tree while they went in search of a wagon to carry him.

Just then the little mouse happened to pass by, and seeing the lion's sad plight, went up to him and soon gnawed away the ropes of the net, freeing the lion.

"You have helped me and now I have returned the favor.  Was I not right - even a mouse can help a lion!" said the little mouse.

Possible themes

• Even the smallest friend is important.

• If you are kind to others, you will be repaid in kindness.

• Nobody is too strong to need help.

Wuthering Heights By Emily Bronte

Heathcliff was an orphan taken into a manor in Yorkeshire, England.  He loves a girl named Catherine, who grew up with him. She also loves him but considers marrying another man. Suddenly rejected and treated as an outsider, Heathcliff grows bitter. Catherine and Heathcliff both marry others, but it is clear that the two still love each other. Catherine dies in childbirth. Heathcliff vows revenge. He waits 17 years, hoping to destroy everything important to Catherine’s husband. Finally, he gains control of the manor and forces his own son to marry Catherine’s daughter. Heathcliff ends an angry, violent life, following the ghost of Catherine to death.

Patriot GamesBy Tom Clancy

Jack Ryan, an American, is on vacation in England with his family. He gets in the middle of an attack against the Prince and Princess of Wales, and he saves them from the Irish terrorist group, the ULA. Later, the Prince and Princess of Wales come to visit Ryan in America. This gives the ULA an opportunity to attack—they plan to kill Ryan and his family and kidnap the Royal Family. There is a long gun fight and chase. Finally, Jack, the Prince, a group of Marines, and the police, manage to defeat the terrorists. The ultimate fate of the terrorists is not stated but is predictable: to face trial for murder and terrorism. Ryan leaves after the final arrest to be with Cathy for the birth of their son.

PATRIOT GAMESParts of the Plot

Introduction: Jack Ryan, an American, is on vacation in England with his family.

Inciting Incident: He gets in the middle of an attack against the Prince and Princess of Wales, and he saves them from the Irish terrorist group, the ULA.

Rising Action:The Prince and Princess of Wales come to visit Ryan in America. This gives the ULA an opportunity to attack—they plan to kill Ryan and his family and kidnap the Royal Family.

Climax: There is a long gun fight and chase. Finally, Jack, the Prince, a group of Marines, and the police, manage to defeat the terrorists.

Falling Action: The ultimate fate of the terrorists is not stated but is predictable: to face trial for murder and terrorism.

Resolution: Ryan leaves after the final arrest to be with Cathy for the birth of their son.