Plot Structure and Characterization Plot Structure What is

Plot Structure What is plot? Arrangement of events and actions Elements: Exposition Rising Action

Plot Structure Exposition: Beginning of a story -Characters: Protagonist, Antagonist -Setting -Conflict: External and/or

Plot Structure Falling Action: Events after the climax -Includes effects of the climax on

Characterization How the writer reveals the personality of a character -Direct characterization tells the

Characterization Indirect characterization: shows things that reveal the personality of a character S. T.

Types of Characters Protagonist: Central character Antagonist: Directly opposes protagonist Dynamic: changes throughout the

Types of characters Round character – complex personalities; a character whose personality, background, motives,

Choose a movie or a book and… Identify the protagonist and the antagonist. Identify

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Plot Structure and Characterization

Plot Structure What is plot? Arrangement of events and actions Elements: Exposition Rising Action Climax Falling Action Denouement (Resolution)

Freytag’s Analysis

Updated plot diagram

Plot Structure Exposition: Beginning of a story -Characters: Protagonist, Antagonist -Setting -Conflict: External and/or Internal Rising Action: Events leading up to the climax Climax: Peak of rising action and conflict -High point -Turning point to mark a change

Plot Structure Falling Action: Events after the climax -Includes effects of the climax on characters Denouement/Resolution: Conflict is resolved -End of the falling action and conclusion -Usually a release of dramatic tension and anxiety (catharsis – “cleansing”) -Originates from the old French word denoer, which meant “to untie. ”

Characterization How the writer reveals the personality of a character -Direct characterization tells the audience “The patient boy and quiet girl were both well mannered and minded their father. ”

Characterization Indirect characterization: shows things that reveal the personality of a character S. T. E. A. L: Speech: What does the character say? Thoughts: What is revealed? Effect on others toward the character Actions: How does the character behave? Looks: What does the character look like?

Types of Characters Protagonist: Central character Antagonist: Directly opposes protagonist Dynamic: changes throughout the plot of a story May be sudden but expected based on the story’s events Static: little changes if any, stagnant

Types of characters Round character – complex personalities; a character whose personality, background, motives, and other features are fully delineated by the author. Flat character – relatively uncomplicated; one- dimensional

Choose a movie or a book and… Identify the protagonist and the antagonist. Identify 2 round characters and 2 flat characters. Identify 2 dynamic characters and 2 static characters. Map out the plot structure using Freytag’s analysis.