Elements of Plot

Elements of Plot

The elements that make up a story

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Exposition

• The exposition exposes or uncovers important information about the story to come.

• Here is where we meet the main characters, learn the setting, and are introduced to the conflict that will drive the story.

Multiple Choice

What would be an example of the exposition in Cinderella?

• Poor Cinderella had to work hard all day long so the others could rest. It was she who had to wake up each morning when it was still dark and cold to start the fire.

• At Cinderella’s house, she now had extra work to do. She had to make two brand-new gowns for her step-sisters.

• “Who said I was done?” said the Fairy Godmother. She tapped her wand again. At once, a beautiful carriage came to be, with a driver and four white horses.

• The Prince felt a leap in his heart. He and Cinderella danced. When the song was over, they danced again. And then they danced again, and yet again.

Inciting Incident

• The inciting incident is the thing that gets the story started

• It is the event that sets the main character or characters on the journey that will occupy them throughout the narrative

Multiple Choice

What would be the inciting incident in Cinderella?

• The stepmother is mean to Cinderella and makes her clean the house

• The Fairy godmother makes Cinderella a beautiful gown.

• The prince sends out invitations to a ball.

• Cinderella loses her glass slipper.

Rising Action

• These are the events that lead to the climax

• The rising action of a story is the section of the plot leading up to the climax, in which the tension stemming from the story's central conflict grows through successive plot developments.

• Here the author builds suspense and develops the characters getting the audience to buy-into the story.

Multiple Choice

Which is NOT an example of rising action in Cinderella?

• At Cinderella’s house, she now had extra work to do. She had to make two brand-new gowns for her step-sisters.

• Their fine carriage came to the door. The stepmother and step-sisters hopped inside. And they were off.

• Cinderella went to live with Prince Charming in the beautiful castle on the hill.

• At once, Cinderella was all clean. She was dressed in a beautiful blue gown. Her hair was set up high on her head inside a golden band.

Climax

• This is the turning point.

• The point of no return.

• The climax is the highest point of tension in a storyline, often depicted by a confrontation between the protagonist and antagonist.

• It usually happens far more toward the end of the story - not in the middle.

Multiple Choice

Which is the climax from Cinderella

• The fairy godmother makes Cinderella a beautiful ball gown

• The glass slipper fits perfectly on Cinderella's foot

• The stepsisters lock Cinderella in her room and try on the glass slipper themselves

• Cinderella and the prince live happily ever after.

Falling Action

• The events that occur after the climax.

• The falling action is what the characters are doing after the story's most dramatic part has happened.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of falling action from Cinderella?

• Cinderella leaves her stepmother's home to go live in the palace

• The stepsisters try on the slipper

• They lock Cinderella in her room

• The prince and Cinderella are married and live happily ever after

Resolution or Denouement

• The final part of a play, movie, or narrative in which the strands of the plot are drawn together and matters are explained or resolved.

• The resolution is the part of the story's plot where the main problem is resolved or worked out.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is the resolution in Cinderella

• The glass slipper fits Cinderella's foot and the prince knows she is the one he loves.

• The stepmother locks Cinderella in her room.

• Cinderella and prince marry and they live happily ever after.

• ONCE UPON A TIME a girl named Cinderella lived with her stepmother and two stepsisters.