Elements of Plot via Shells

Elements of Plot

Via Shells by Cynthia Ryland

Plot consists of 5 basic elements:

• Exposition

• Rising Action

• Climax

• Falling Action

• Resolution

Exposition

• Introduces Characters

• Introduces the setting/time

• Mood is established

Rising Action

• 1 or more characters in crisis

Climax

• Point of highest emotion

• Point of high tension

• Turning point

Falling Action

• Resolution of character's crisis

• Actions & events that occur after the conflict

Resolution

• Reasonable ending

• Conflicts & Problems are solved

Recap of Exposition

• Who are the characters?

• Where does the story take place?

• What mood is established?

Multiple Choice

Who are the characters

• Ben & Mrs. Tibbets

• Aunt Esther & Ben

• Michael & Aunt Esther

• Michael & Mrs. Tibbets

Multiple Choice

What is the setting of the story?

• Condominium in Massachusetts

• Condominium in the in the wealthy part of Detroit.

Multiple Choice

What is the mood of the story?

• Happy

• Tense

• Joyful

• Excited

Recap of Rising Action

• 1 or more characters in crisis

Multiple Choice

Who is/are the character(s) in crisis?

• Michael

• Aunt Esther

• Both

Open Ended

Discuss how the character(s) is/are in crisis.

Recap of Climax

• Point of highest emotion

• Point of high tension

• Turning point

Where does the turning point take place?

Recap of Falling Action

• Resolution of character's crisis

• Actions & events that occur after the conflict

Open Ended

What events led to the "Falling Action?"

Recap of Resolution

• Reasonable ending

• Conflicts & Problems are solved

Open Ended

What events led to the "Resolution?"

Multiple Choice

Michael was in a __________ over the sight of twenty-one hermit crabs.

• celebration

• bad mood

• stupor

• prejudice

Show what you know

Check for Understanding

Multiple Select

How are Michael and Ben from 'Spadefoot Toad" similar.

• Both learn to like their teacher.

• Both show they care about creature of the earth.

• Both have to deal with the principal.

• Both have a new situation to grow into.

Multiple Select

How do we know Aunt Esther is starting to be more comfortable?

• She decides Sluggo needs a girlfriend.

• She wants Michael to get rid of the crab and get a kitten.

• They go to the pet store to get more crabs.

• Michael finds her sitting on his bed watching Sluggo.

• All of the above answers.

Multiple Choice

What creature does Micheal bring home?

• toad

• kitten

• hermit crab

• snake

Multiple Select

In what ways are both Michael and Aunt Esther unhappy?

• Aunt Esther is used to living alone.

• Michael wanted to live with other relatives.

• Michael is unhappy because his parents died.

• Aunt Esther has already raised her children.

Multiple Choice

Why is Michael living with Aunt Esther?

• His parents are on a long vacation.

• His parents are no longer alive.

• He ran away from home to live with Aunt Esther.

• He is just visiting for a few days.

Multiple Choice

How are Aunt Esther's and Michael's feelings about their situation similar?

• Michael and Aunt Esther are both happy to be living together.

• Aunt Esther does not understand Michael.

• Michael and Aunt Esther are not used to living together.

• Michael wishes his parents would return.