ELEMENTS OF LITERATUE PLOT

By: Mrs. Wanda Ramrez

PLOT
The plot is the story reduced to its briefest outline. The plot is the action of the story. This action is usually made up of a series of events called the plot line.

PLOT LINE
Shows the action or events in a story. It has five parts: exposition rising action climax falling action resolution

climax

exposition

resolution

EXPOSITION
This is that part of a story (usually the beginning) which explains the background and setting of the story; the characters are often introduced in the exposition.

RISING ACTION
This is the central part of a story during which various problems arise, leading up to the climax.

CLIMAX
This is the highest point, the turning point in the action of a story. The turning point is where the crucial or major change occurs. The main turning point is one on which the story focuses and on which our emotions are centered.
There will be some sort of turning point for every major change in the protagonists fortune, thought or character.

FALLING ACTION
This is that part of a story which follows the climax or turning point: it contains the action or dialogue necessary to lead the story to a resolution or ending.

RESOLUTION
This is the satisfying end of a play or story- that part in which the problems are solved.

climax
REVIEW

exposition
PLOT LINE

resolution

APPLICATION EXERCISE
HOMEWORK WRITE ABOUT THE PLOT LINE IN YOUR INDEPENDET READING

There are three types of plot:

PLOT OF FORTUNE PLOT OF THOUGHT PLOT OF CHARACTER

PLOT OF FORTUNE
This plot occurs when the protagonists key change is in fortune, wealth, health, reputation, advancement, marriage, beauty, position, etc.

PLOT OF CHARACTER
This plot occurs when the major change in the protagonist is a change in character.
Examples: The stingy person becomes generous; the dishonest, honest; the cowardly, courageous; the immoral, moral, etc. Most frequently a change in character is preceded by a change in thought. The plot of character is more commonly found in the novel rather than in the short story.

PLOT OF THOUGHT
This plot occurs when the key change in the protagonist is a change in his/her thought; that is, in his/her philosophy, attitudes, opinions, or knowledge.