The Three Little Pigs There was a big

The Three Little Pigs There was a big, bad wolf looking for food who finally discovers three little pigs, each of whom has his own home made of straw, sticks and, finally, bricks. The wolf knocks on each door, threatening to blow each pig’s house down. The pig with the straw house and the pig with the stick house fall victim to the wolf's threat. The homeless pigs take refuge in the third pig's brick house. The wolf continues to huff, puff, and blow the house down but when he finally gives up and decides to come down the chimney, the pigs are ready with a trap and the wolf is killed. The three little pigs live happily ever after in the brick house and they never have to worry about the big, bad wolf ever, again.

Plot Chart or Story Arch 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.

Plot Example What is the plot of “The Three Little Pigs?

Exposition Definition The beginning of the story in which the characters, setting and conflict are introduced.

1. Exposition Characters: the people and/or animals of the story Setting: the place and time of where the story takes place Conflict: the struggle or problem that is challenging the main character

Exposition Example: • What happens in the exposition of “The Three Little Pigs”? The exposition is when the characters, setting and conflict are introduced.

Characters Example: • Who are the characters? The characters are three pigs and the wolf.

Setting Example: • What is the setting? The setting is the village where the pigs live at their three houses.

Conflict Example: • What is the conflict? The conflict is that the wolf wants to eat the pigs

Rising Action Definition: A series of challenges that build to the climax. Complication: A new challenge arises

Rising Action Example: • What is the rising action in “The Three Little Pigs”? The rising action is when the wolf goes to the first two houses and blows them down and the pigs have to run to the third pig’s house.

Climax Definition The most interesting/exciting part of the story; where the reader starts to see how the conflict will be resolved. The “turning point”

Climax Example: • What is the climax of “The Three Little Pigs”? The climax is when the wolf tries to blow down the third house and fails.

Falling Action Definition: The series of events that follow the turning point to the resolution; how the author ties up any “loose ends”

Falling Action Example: • What is the falling action in “The Three Little Pigs”? The falling action is when the wolf is killed in the trap

Resolution Definition The conflict and story are ultimately resolved or completed; how does it end?

Resolution Example: • What is the resolution of “The Three Little Pigs”? The resolution is when the three pigs get rid of the wolf and live happily ever after.

Using your vocabulary notes, label each of the parts of plot on the yellow paper.

Review • Choose one of the following stories and identify the parts of its plot.