Story Plot Lines Plot the series of related

Story / Plot Lines Plot: the series of related events that take place and work out of the major conflict. What was a/the general plot line in The Princess Bride? Note: The Princess Bride has two separate plot lines!

Primary Secondary

Who’s Involved? Protagonist: the one who is FOR something. (often good guy) (why DO we like them? ) -In The Princess Bride – They are young, handsome, in love, dealt with loss, LIKE US! Antagonist: person or force in conflict with protagonist (against) (why don’t we like them? ) In The Princess Bride – they have evil minds, ugly looks/attitudes, and are dishonest. Who were they in The Princess Bride?

Conflict. . . Conflict between protagonist and antagonist must create suspense

Conflict May Be. . . Man vs. Man What was some of the man vs. man conflict in The Princess Bride?

Conflict can be. . . Man vs. him/herself What was some of the man vs. him/herself conflict in The Princess Bride?

Conflict Can Be. . . Man vs. A Force Nature, the Dark Side, etc. . . What was a Force that created conflict in the Princess Bride?

Conflict may be. . . Physical (Face Off, Rambo, Cast Away, Alien, The Passion; action movies) Emotional: (Pretty Woman, What Dreams May Come, Riding in Cars with Boys. . . Chick Flicks) Mental (Search for Bobby Fischer, Dogma, Beautiful Mind, Seven) What were some Physical, Emotional, and Mental Conflicts in The Princess Bride?

Plot Structure Your story needs 6 key points for maximum audience interest. 4 3 1 2 DIAGRAM OF PLOT STRUCTURE 5 6

Plot Structure. . . 1. Preliminary Situation Clearly defined explanation of events leading up to this point. . . BEFORE action begins. Creates EMPATHY for characters 1 “feeling with” a character (sympathy is “feeling for”) for the audience to feel involved, they must have empathy for one of the characters DIAGRAM OF PLOT STRUCTURE *MUST establish why we like the protagonist Why do we like Wesley and Buttercup?

Plot Structure. . . 2. Initial Incident: an event that sets the plot moving. 2 DIAGRAM OF PLOT STRUCTURE What’s our initial incident in The Princess Bride?

Plot Structure. . . 3. Rising action A series of events that follow the initial incident Develops from conflict between protagonist and antagonist 3 DIAGRAM OF PLOT STRUCTURE LIFTS ACTION TO HIGHER LEVEL of interest/suspense! (stakes go up, time gets shorter. . . ) What lifts the suspense/interest in The Princess Bride?

Plot Structure. . . 4. Climax The MOST intense, exciting moment Turning point of the rising action Outcome of conflict is determined 4 DIAGRAM OF PLOT STRUCTURE What is/are the climax(es) of The Princess Bride?

Plot Structure. . . 5. Falling Action Series of events following the climax Ties up all loose ends (or leaves one or two hanging for a sequal !) Usually pretty short 5 DIAGRAM OF PLOT STRUCTURE What loose ends are tied up in The Princess Bride?

Plot Structure. . . Conclusion/Resolution Logical Outcome of all that has occurred before Comedy: brings all characters together (Dumb and Dumber; Scooby Doo; Inigo, Fezzig, Wesley, Buttercup; etc. ) Drama/Tragedy: Characters live on with the result of their actions (Saving Private Ryan; Humperdink, Vicini) 6 DIAGRAM OF PLOT STRUCTURE Can also be a combination of the two. . . As in The Princess Bride