Identifying the Elements of A Plot Diagram Student

Identifying the Elements of A Plot Diagram Student Notes

Plot Diagram 3 2 1 4 5

Plot (definition) • Plot is the organized pattern or sequence of events that make up a story. Every plot is made up of a series of incidents that are related to one another.

1. Exposition • This usually occurs at the beginning of a short story. Here the characters are introduced. We also learn about the setting of the story. Most importantly, we are introduced to the main conflict (main problem).

2. Rising Action • This part of the story begins to develop the conflict(s). A building of interest or suspense occurs.

3. Climax • This is the turning point of the story. Usually the main character comes face to face with a conflict. The main character will change in some way.

4. Falling Action • All loose ends of the plot are tied up. The conflict(s) and climax are taken care of.

5. Resolution • The story comes to a reasonable ending.

Putting It All Together 1. Exposition 2. Rising Action 3. Climax 4. Falling Action 5. Resolution Beginning of Story Middle of Story End of Story

Project #3: Plot Diagram • Pick a children’s movie and complete a full and accurate Freytag’s pyramid. • 1. Create a poster of the plot diagram – Neatly (Cut straight, taped down, visually appealing) – Follow format (Headings, landscape, color, taped, supporting graphics) – Grammatically correct/Accurate account of events – Use 10 vocabulary words (bolded) • 2. Create a Google Slides presentation – Use your Gmail accounts – One person shares it with me – 7 slides: Title page, exposition, inciting incident, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution/denouement

If you would like to score high, abide by this rubric

Example Project • Cinderella Plot diagram

Freytag’s Pyramid for Cinderella Naruto Uzumaki Mrs. Sabrina Mahuka English 128

Exposition • In a kingdom far away, Cinderella is a beautiful young woman who is oppressed and treated poorly by her cruel stepmother and insipid stepsisters. Although Cinderella is not a servant, she is treated as such.

Inciting Incident • A suave Prince announces that he will be hosting a ball in order to look for a bride. This incident sends a myriad of women into a frenzy as they would like to become a princess/queen.

Rising Action • A sullen Cinderella would like to go to the ball but her cunning stepmother bans her and in fact sabotages Cinderella by ruining her gown. Cinderella’s fairy godmother steps in and magically prepares Cinderella for the ball. However, Cinderella has to leave before the witching hour, midnight, before the magic wears off. The Prince finds himself infatuated with Cinderella, but has no idea who she is. Cinderella absconds from the ball right before midnight, but accidently leaves her intricate glass slipper.

Climax • The Prince is perplexed and does not understand why she left, but he is determined to find the mystery girl as she has pervaded his every thought. He searches house to find Cinderella but to no avail. Finally, after a manifold of women, he searches one more house and as luck would have it, he found Cinderella despite the ministrations of her evil stepmother. The Prince proclaims that he loves Cinderella even if she is just a commoner.

Falling Action • Here the action subsides as the conflicts are mostly resolved. The Prince and Cinderella plan to marry and announce their engagement to the kingdom. Wedding preparations are to be made.

Resolution/Denouement • The cruel and vile stepmother is left unhappy and has no way to better her social status. The Prince and Cinderella host an intricate wedding and live happily ever after.