Conflict and Plot Structure Why study this l

Conflict and Plot Structure

Why study this? l If you ever want to write- or even tell- a good story, it is important to understand the story elements. l CRCT will test your knowledge of these elements.

KEY CONCEPTS l l l Setting Characters Plot Conflict Resolution Point of view Flashback l Foreshadowing l

Point of View l First-person: author uses the words I and me, and the story is told as though the author was a participant in the events. l Third-person: the pronouns used are he, she and they, and the author is a storyteller outside of the events. l Omniscient: knows what all the characters think and feel

Setting l Where place l Time: and when the story takes Some authors tell you exactly the day, the month, the year, and even the hour that the action begins. In other stories, the reader must figure out the time period by clues in the characters’ clothing styles, modes of transportation, or way of speaking. l Place: Stories always take place somewhere

Characters l The people the story is about; characters are sometimes animals l. Protagonist: the main character or the “good guy” l. Antagonist: “bad guy” (This does not always have to be a person. l Example: (The Butterfly) Monique is the protagonist and the Nazi soldiers are the antagonists.

Characters can be described using the following terms: l Dynamic 1. 2. 3. 4. Undergoes an important change in personality in the story Comes to some sort of realization that permanently changes the character A change occurs within the character because of the events of the story The protagonist is usually dynamic, but not always

Characters continued… l Static 1. 2. 3. Character: Remains the same throughout the story Although something may happen to the character, it does not cause the character to change Minor characters are usually static

Characters continued… l Round characters 1. These characters are well-developed 2. The reader knows the character’s thoughts and actions l Flat characters 1. These characters are undeveloped. 2. The author does not reveal very much about these characters

Conflict l. Conflict is the struggle or problem between two forces either externally or internally.

Man vs. Man l In this common conflict, what one character wants conflicts with what another character wants. Example: Jason vs. Freddy

Man vs. Society l The main character(s) does not fit in with societywho goes against what society wants or expects. Example: In Save the Last Dance, the African American boy dating the Caucasian girl.

Man vs. Nature l The characters in stories fight against natural forces such as storms, cold, or extreme heat. The natural force is called the antagonistic force.

Man vs. Self l This conflict involves an internal struggle. A character must overcome problems within himself. He may wish to do one thing, but be tempted to do another.

Plot l The sequence of events which lead to the resolution

Plot structure: l(Step 1)Exposition: introduces the readers to characters and explains the setting. Gives background information needed to understand the story.

Plot Structure l (Step 2) Inciting Incident: the event that sets the story in motion l Example: Forged By Fire: When Gerald accidentally sets the apartment on fire, he has to go live with Aunt Queen.

Plot Structure l (Step 3) Rising Action: the sequence of events that occur during which time the conflict develops or builds (puts you on the edge of your seat). l Example: In Forged By Fire when the kitchen catches on fire while Jordan and Angel are in the bedroom, the chapter ends leaving you wondering what will happen next.

Plot Structure l(Step 4) Climax: the highest point of interest or suspense l Example: The final showdown between Gerald and Jordan

Plot Structure Action and Resolution: the events after the climax and the end of the story. Most of the time, all l (Steps 5&6) Falling questions will be answered at this point. Some stories “leave you hanging. ”

CLIMAX RISING ACTION FALLING ACTION INCITING INCIDENT EXPOSITION RESOLUTION

Flashback l. A narrative technique that allows a writer to present past events during current events, in order to provide background for the current narration

Foreshadowing la method used to build suspense by providing hints of what is to come