Plot Peak Climax A R i s Exposition
- Slides: 10
Plot Peak Climax A R i s Exposition/ Introduction i n g ct n o i Fa ll in g Ac ti o n Resolution/ Denouement
The Setting • The setting is where and when the story takes place – General Setting – Time period, geographic area, level of realism – Specific Setting – An office, an apartment, a spaceship
Characters • Characters are the people, animals, or things that the story is about – Main Character – the primary and most important characters in the story; these characters are affected by the story – Supporting characters – characters who have smaller parts; these characters affect the story
Characters, continued – Protagonist – The “good guy, ” the hero, the main character (usually the one we ‘root’ for) – Antagonist – The “bad guy, ” the person who stands in the way of the protagonist
Point of View • From what perspective is the story told? – First person – POV of the main character, uses “I” – Second person – POV of the reader, uses “you” – Third person – POV of an outside observer, uses “he” & “she” • Limited – the observer can only “see” what happens • Omniscient – the observer knows the characters’ thoughts, can “see” inside their heads
Plot • The plot of the story is what happens in the story • Almost every plot is based on a conflict – Person vs. Person – Person vs. Self – Person vs. Nature – Person vs. Society
The Plot Curve • Exposition – Beginning of the story; characters are introduced, setting is established, tone and mood are set • Rising Action – The conflict begins; the protagonist works towards settling the conflict • Climax – The pinnacle of the story; the protagonist solves the conflict (or doesn’t)
Plot Curve, continued • Falling Action – The specifics of the climax play out; what happens as a result of the climax • Resolution (Denouement) – Loose ends are wrapped up; the reader sees the new and changed protagonist; life goes on
Tone, Mood, Theme • Tone – The attitude of the author toward the story – sarcastic, anger, affection, approval, disapproval • Mood – The emotion of the story – happy, sad, depressing, tragic • Theme – The “moral” of the story – what message does the story send?
