PLOT PLOT The framework or skeleton of the

PLOT

PLOT • The “framework” or “skeleton” of the story • A series of related events that are linked together

WHAT MAKES UP PLOT? 1. Basic Situation (Exposition) - Tells the audience who the characters are and introduces the conflict - Example: “Every Who Down in Who-ville Liked Christmas a lot. . . ”

WHAT MAKES UP PLOT? 2. Rising Action - Complications that arise when the characters take steps to resolve their conflicts “But the Grinch, Who lived just North of Who-ville, Did NOT! The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season! Now, please don't ask why. No one quite knows the reason. ”

WHAT MAKES UP PLOT? Example: “And the Grinch, with his 3. grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow, Climax: Most exciting Stood puzzling and puzzling: "How or suspenseful moment could it be so? It came without ribbons! It came when something without tags! happens to determine "It came without packages, boxes or the outcome of the bags!" conflict. And he puzzled three hours, `till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! "Maybe Christmas, " he thought, "doesn't come from a store. "Maybe Christmas. . . perhaps. . . means a little bit more!"

WHAT MAKES UP PLOT? 4. Falling Action: The conflict is in the process of being resolved or “unraveled” l Example: “And what happened then. . . ? Well. . . in Who-ville they say That the Grinch's small heart Grew three sizes that day!”

WHAT MAKES UP PLOT? • Resolution: (Denouement) or “Untying the knot” • When the story’s problem/conflict is resolved and the story ends. Example: “He whizzed with his load through the bright morning light And he brought back the toys! And the food for the feast! And he. . . HE HIMSELF. . . ! The Grinch carved the roast beast!”