PLOT

Presentation

PLOT

Learning standards

CC.7.R.L.3 Key Ideas and Details: Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g., how setting shapes the characters or plot).

LESSON OBJECTIVES & ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

LESSON OBJECTIVES

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

• Students will be able to identify and define the key components of a plot in a story, including exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
• Students will apply their understanding of plot structure by analyzing a short story and identifying these elements.
• Students will critically evaluate the role of plot in storytelling and discuss how it contributes to the overall meaning of a text.

• 1. What is the purpose of a plot in a story?
• 2. What are the main components of a plot, and how do they contribute to the structure of a narrative?
• 3. How does understanding plot enhance our comprehension and appreciation of literature?

WARM UP

Brainstorm words or phrases that come to mind when you see the roller coaster. Write down your respones in the chat!

WHAT IS PLOT?

Plot is the main events of a play, novel, movie, or similar work, devised and presented by the writer as an interrelated sequence.

Gustav Freytag

Gustav Freytag’s Theory of Story Structure

He suggested that the plot of every good story can be divided into parts and diagrammed into the shape of a pyramid.

Freytag's Pyramid

Notice the basic parts to Freytag’s pyramid.

But in reality...

The most exciting part doesn’t occur halfway through the story. If it did, the last half would be really, really boring. Like this: So, the drawing shouldn’t really be shaped like a pyramid. If so, we’d have a very sleepy audience for the last half of the story.

A lopsided pyramid

If you think of a story as a pyramid, the top must be drawn near the end because the most exciting part happens near the end.

The pyramid

Let’s examine each part of the pyramid.

The Exposition

Rising Action

Climax

Falling Action

Resolution

exposition

The exposition usually occurs at the beginning. It’s where the main character, setting, and basic conflict is introduced. Think of the definition of “expose”: to make something visible by uncovering it. In the exposition, the reader uncovers information about the who, what, when, and where of the story.

rising action

What is Rising Action?

The longest part of the story from the beginning to the climax; it occurs as the story becomes more and more interesting. For Example, Consider the story, “Little Red Riding Hood” Red Riding Hood walks through the woods, the wolf follows her, she enters Grandma’s house, sees “Grandma” in her room, and comments on Grandma’s large facial features. Ask yourself: Why is it called “rising” action?

Lopsided Pyramid Like this...

Plus, the rising action actually has pauses and the excitement of the events are sporadic, which would change the pyramid to more of a “step pyramid” shape.

climax/ turning point

What is the Climax/Turning Point?

It’s the most exciting moment of the story. Remember, it occurs near the end. Example… Red Riding Hood says, “Why, Grandma, what big teeth you have,” and then she hears, “The better to eat you with, my dear.” The wolf jumps out at poor Red Riding Hood and the wood smith runs to help. Ask yourself: If the climax occurred early on or halfway through a movie, would you stick around to watch the rest?

Falling action What is Falling Action?

This is what occurs after the climax and leads to the conclusion of the piece. Example… The wolf spits out an upset Grandma and the wood smith helps Red Riding Hood relocate the wolf to a wildlife sanctuary at a distant part of the woods. Ask yourself: Why is it called “falling” action?

Resolution What is the resolution?

The resolution is how the plot is concluded – how it all ends. Example… Happy and well-fed at his new home in the wildlife sanctuary, the wolf stops attacking people. Plus, Red learns a lesson about safety. Then she, Grandma, and Mom live “happily ever after.” Ask yourself: What is the resolution to the last movie you saw?

Denouement

Day-noo-WHAT???

It’s a French word pronounced “day-noo-mah.” Why are we speaking French? Because “denouement” and “resolution” are used interchangeably.

Then, what’s the difference?

Denouement

Resolution

The resolution is how the conflict is solved.

This is actually everything that happens AFTER the climax of the story. The literal translation from French is “unknotting.” So think of the story up to the climax as character’s problems in a “knot,” then the climax occurs and everything else is “unknotting.”

Conclusions

So the next time you see a play, a movie, or read a story, draw the plot into a lopsided step pyramid!

Next class we will be reading a selection that focuses on plot. What are your THREE key takeaways from today's lesson?

Thank you!