The Plot

Supersized

Lengthy Prologue: This is when an

author has kind of a pre-chapter; introduces characters, setting, sometimes an event that serves as a catalyst to the conflict in the story and/or main character.

Example: The Departed, Cliffhanger, Scream

Think of a story as a roller coaster…

Exposition: Introduces the

characters and setting of a story Rising Action: the conflict is

introduced, characters are developed, events begin to build

Think of a story as a roller coaster…

Climax: the pivotal moment in the

story; highest point of the story Deep Backstory: the development

of a character and/or world that happened prior to the story currently being read

Example: The Hunger Games, Batman Begins, Man of Steel

Think of a story as a roller coaster…

Falling action: choices made in

an effort to resolve the conflict in the story

Extraneous scenery: information that is included, but does not seem important or related in any way to the key conflict going on

Think of a story as a roller coaster…

Jarring twist: that moment in the story that

is unexpected and changes the course of the story or the character s. Example: Dark Knight/Rachel dies, Dexter when Trinity kills his wife

Red herring: a false clue that leads readers or characters towards a false conclusion.

Unreliable narrator: character whose version of events cannot be trusted (clown, madman, braggart, liars, children…Example: The Joker, Dexter)

Think of a story as a roller coaster…

Plot Hole: A plot hole is a moment or

unresolved problem in the plot that doesn't make sense or isn't explained to the reader. In other words, something doesn't add up. Example: Joey has lived in Arkansas for 8 years, but grew up in Montana, until he graduated high school. He went to college in Mississippi for business. He's only 26.

Think of a story as a roller coaster…

Suspended Disbelief: a writer infuses a

"human interest and a semblance of truth" into a fantastic tale, the reader would suspend judgment concerning the implausibility of the narrative.

Examples: I Robot, Avatar, Percy Jackson and Lightning Thief

Think of a story as a roller coaster…

Tunnel of Badly-written Love: Do I really

need to explain??? Basically, Twilight! Characters fall in love all of a sudden, in times of great conflict, and having known each other 5 minutes!

Think of a story as a roller coaster…

Unresolved subplot: When a

smaller story line in a book, movie, etc. is left with no resolution, making the reader/viewer ask, “Well, what about ________??”

Cliffhanger: the story has no denouement, suggesting at a sequel of some sort.

Think of a story as a roller coaster…

Denouement: the final

resolution of the intricacies of a plot, as of a drama or novel.

Critical Reaction: The reviews of the audience.

Think of a story as a roller coaster…

Go through the roller coaster of the plot

diagram you have been given. For The Alchemist, provide at least one example of how all of these elements are evident, in some way, in the novel. Write 1-2 sentences explaining each part of the plot in order.

For Critical Reaction, write a 5-7 sentence review of how you felt about the book. If you did not read it, be honest!!

So, lets look at The Alchemist