Plot Structure: Exposition and Rising Action

Plot Structure

​Objective

​I will be able to describe how a story's plot unfolds by describing the exposition and rising action of the text.

Plot

​

• ​progression or movement of events in the story

• All stories need a plot to make sense; otherwise, it's just a random story that doesn't go anywhere!

• broken into FIVE major elements: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an element of plot?

• main character

• setting

• climax

• tone

Multiple Select

Which of the following is an element of plot? Select all that apply.

• falling action

• theme

• inferences

• exposition

Multiple Select

Which of the following is an element of plot? Select all that apply.

• exposition

• rising action

• point of view

• task

Exposition/Introduction

• introduces setting (where and when the story takes place)

• introduces main characters

• The exposition is responsible for setting the story up for you and providing you background information to get to know who will be involved in the story and where it takes place.

Multiple Choice

What does the exposition do?

• It describes the conflict.

• It explains why you should be reading the story.

• It introduces main characters and the setting.

• It tells you how it ends.

Rising Action

• introduces the conflict (problem)

• events in the story become more complicated

• The rising action is responsible for introducing the problem our main character is trying to solve before the end, which makes events in the story start to become deeper and more complex.

Multiple Choice

What is introduced in the rising action?

• the solution

• the main character

• the setting

• the conflict

Climax

• turning point of the story

• conflict may be solved here or is about to be solved

• The climax is considered the most suspenseful part of the story. It is the part where the main character usually learns something new that helps them solve the problem before the story begins to end.

Multiple Choice

The climax is the _____ _____ of the story.

• introduction

• turning point

• exposition

• rising action

Falling Action

• conflict gets solved if it was not solved in complex

• character usually learns something new about themselves

• loose ends get tied up

• The falling action helps lead the reader to the end of the story. Characters may learn some new things have about themselves and have usually changed at this point. The author makes sure to answer any last questions the reader may have.

Multiple Choice

What does it mean when the author "ties up loose ends"?

• The author makes sure not to leave any questions for the reader.

• The author ties up the main characters.

• The author teaches the reader what is going to happen.

• The author creates a turning point.

Resolution/Conclusion

• end of the story

• The resolution or conclusion is the end of the story. At this point, readers should have learned all they needed to know about the characters. If this is part of a series, the author may leave a clue here about what the next story will be about.

Multiple Select

Resolution also means... (pick 2)

• conclusion

• beginning

• introduction

• end

Questions to Ask

• What happened in the story?

• What caused this to happen?

• What did the author leave out and expect me to figure out?

• What was the result of these events?

Example Story

Julie jumped out of bed when her alarm went off. She had been waiting for this day for months, and it was finally here! Today was student government day, the day where students could run the school. Out of hundreds of applicants, twenty eighth-graders had been chosen to take the place of twenty principals and teachers, and she was one of them. She was going to take the place of Ms. Lamport, the 6th grade language arts teacher.

     

Example Continued

As she brushed her teeth and washed her face, Julie thought about her lesson for the day. She was going to give the students new vocabulary words to study. Then, they were going to play a fun game to help the students learn the words.

  

Example Continued

  Julie quickly changed into the clothes that she had laid out yesterday: a blue, knee-length skirt and a white, button-up shirt. After putting her long, brown hair up in a bun, she felt like a real teacher.

 

Example Continued

    "Breakfast is ready!" her mom called.

     "Coming!" Julie grabbed her backpack and raced downstairs. She was grinning from ear to ear. Upon entering the kitchen, she posed. "How do I look?" she asked.

     "Like a young professional," her mother answered with a smile. She placed plates of bacon, eggs, and pancakes on the table. "Eat up. We have to leave soon."

    

Example Continued

 Julie shoved forkfuls of food into her mouth. Her mother observed her movements with pride. "I'm so proud of you, honey! You're not nervous at all. I know I would be. I'm deathly afraid of public speaking. All of those eyes just watching and judging your every move." Her mother shuddered.

   

Example Continued

  Julie's fork stopped in mid-air. She slowly lowered it, and her eyes grew wide. "I never really thought about that," she said. "I've just been so excited about getting to be the teacher. What if they don't like me? What if I trip and fall in front of them? What if they won't listen to me?" Suddenly, she didn't feel so well.

Multiple Choice

What happens when Julie's mother says she's proud of Julie?

• She feels happy her mom is proud of her.

• She cries.

• She becomes nervous about teaching.

• She suddenly fakes sick.

Explanation

Julie becomes nervous about teaching. In the last two paragraphs of the story, Julie's mom causes Julie to think about the public speaking part of teaching. This makes Julie nervous. The story says, "Suddenly, she didn't feel so well."

Multiple Choice

Why is Julie excited when she wakes up?

• She wants to impress people.

• She loves eating breakfast right away.

• Student government day has finally come.

• She can't wait to see her teacher.

Explanation

She is excited because student government day has finally come. If you read the first paragraph carefully, it says she is an eighth-grader who is going to take the place of a 6th grade teacher for one day.

Multiple Choice

How does Julie's mother know Julie is not nervous at first?

• She sees that Julie is eating a lot.

• She knows her daughter never gets nervous.

• She sees that Julie is dressed nice.

• She says she is proud of her.

Explanation

She sees that Julie is shoving "forkfuls of food into her mouth." Nervous people often have trouble eating. Also, Julie is "grinning from ear to ear." People don't usually grin when they're nervous.