Unit 1: Plot Elements

Unit 1: Key Ideas & Details
Plot
Elements

Concept 1:
Plot

Lesson Essential Questions:

How does the plot unfold in a fiction text?
How do characters change in fiction text?

Perspectives & Interpretation

Depending on your perspective, you may

interpret text in a different way.

As long as you can support your answer

with TEXT EVIDENCE & an ANALYSIS, your

interpretation is reasonable.

Activating Prior

Knowledge...

Match

Match the definitions with the correct term.

• plot

• characterization

• setting

• conflict

• resolution

the sequence of events in a story

the way an author reveals the personality of a character

the time and place in which a story takes place

the struggle between opposing forces in a story

the outcome of the conflict in a story

• the sequence of events in a story

• the way an author reveals the personality of a character

• the time and place in which a story takes place

• the struggle between opposing forces in a story

• the outcome of the conflict in a story

Match

Match the definitions with the correct term.

• exposition

• climax

• theme

• motive

• traits

beginning of a story/meet characters

turning point of the story

a universal idea, lesson, or message

a reason for doing something

describes a character's qualities

• beginning of a story/meet characters

• turning point of the story

• a universal idea, lesson, or message

• a reason for doing something

• describes a character's qualities

Match

Match the definitions with the correct term.

• rising action

• climax

• falling action

• character development

• plot twist

the events leading up to the climax

the most intense point of the story

the events after the climax

how a character changes throughout the story

a surprising turn of events

• the events leading up to the climax

• the most intense point of the story

• the events after the climax

• how a character changes throughout the story

• a surprising turn of events

PLOT

Lesson Essential Question:

How do literary elements affect one another in a text?

What is PLOT?

the events that make up a

narrative; the events relate to

each other in a pattern or a

sequence

What are plot

elements?

EXPOSITION
01

beginning - characters, setting,

& basic info is introduced

RISING ACTION
02

series of events that create

suspense & interest

CLIMAX
03

the turning point - usually when

the main conflict is solved

RESOLUTION
05

the conclusion - where

unanswered questions are

answered

SETTING
06

time & place of the narrative -

usually introduced in the

exposition

FALLING ACTION
04

wraps up the narrative,

resolves loose ends, leads to

closure

What are PLOT ELEMENTS?

Exposition:
1.Who are the main characters
in the beginning of the story?

2.What is the setting in the
beginning of the story?

Rising Action:
1.What events happen
after the exposition
and before the
climax?

2.What are the major
events that cause
suspense?

Climax:
1.When does the main character face
their problem?

2.What is the turning point of the story?

Falling Action:
1.What happens
immediately after
the climax?

2.What are the
events that lead to
the end of the
story?

Resolution:
1.What happens at the VERY
end of the story?

2.Did the characters change?

Conflict:
1.What is the MAIN
problem?

2.Who is involved?

3.What does the
reader want to find
out? (Overall
Question)

Do You Remember
PLOT ELEMENTS?

01
EXPOSITION

Exposition:
1.Who are the main
characters in the
beginning of the story?

2.What is the setting in the
beginning of the story?

Identify the
EXPOSITION

Lesson Essential Question:

How do literary elements affect one another in a text?

As Ruby walked into her classroom on Monday morning,
she noticed a new student sitting by the window. She
was a new student last year and knew it could be kind
of scary, so she went over to talk to him. He kept quiet
and kept his head down as she asked where he was
from. He didn’t talk to anyone for two more weeks.
Ruby made sure to smile at him every day. Finally, one
day after school, the new kid smiled back and asked
what her name was. They began to walk together to
school, do homework after school, and hang out on the
weekends. Ruby was so glad she could help a new
student and gain a new friend.

02
RISING
ACTION

Lesson Essential Question:

How do literary elements affect one another in a text?

Rising Action:
1.What events
happen after the
exposition and
before the climax?

2.What are the
major events that
cause suspense?

Conflict:
1.What is the MAIN problem?

2.Who is involved?

3.What does the reader want to find out? (Overall
Question)

Identify the

INCITING INCIDENT &

RISING ACTION

As Ruby walked into her classroom on Monday morning,
she noticed a new student sitting by the window. She
was a new student last year and knew it could be kind
of scary, so she went over to talk to him. He kept quiet
and kept his head down as she asked where he was
from. He didn’t talk to anyone for two more weeks.
Ruby made sure to smile at him every day. Finally, one
day after school, the new kid smiled back and asked
what her name was. They began to walk together to
school, do homework after school, and hang out on the
weekends. Ruby was so glad she could help a new
student and gain a new friend.

03
CLIMAX

Lesson Essential Question:

How do literary elements affect one another in a text?

IMPORTANT: climax

often requires

change, effort, and
drama - usually the

conflict is

solved/begins to be

solved

Climax:
1.When does the main character face
their problem?

2.What is the turning point of the story?

CLIMAX

EXAMPLES

conflict

A story about a mother and daughter...

A character and her mother are upset
with each other. The main character
believes she must be an artist, whereas
her mother does not support her career
and would rather have her be an
accountant.

Climax: The character and her mother
have a large argument in which they both
state their feelings. At the end of the
argument, they agree to love one another
despite their disagreements.

Climax #1

A story about a Boy and His Dog...

A boy is playing with his rambunctious
dog Sadie when she pulls loose from her
collar and runs away. Now, the boy must
find Sadie before she runs too far away to
be found.

Climax: After looking for Sadie for a
while, the boy hears barking from around
the house. There, he finds his lost dog
and the two happily meet again.

Climax #2

A story about a boy’s crush...

Sam has had a crush on Mary for months,
but he does not know how to tell her how
he feels.

Climax: At the school dance, Sam makes
his feelings for Mary known by asking her
to dance and she accepts.

Climax #3

Identify the

CLIMAX

As Ruby walked into her classroom on Monday morning,
she noticed a new student sitting by the window. She
was a new student last year and knew it could be kind
of scary, so she went over to talk to him. He kept quiet
and kept his head down as she asked where he was
from. He didn’t talk to anyone for two more weeks.
Ruby made sure to smile at him every day. Finally, one
day after school, the new kid smiled back and asked
what her name was. They began to walk together to
school, do homework after school, and hang out on the
weekends. Ruby was so glad she could help a new
student and gain a new friend.

04
FALLING
ACTION

Lesson Essential Question:

How do literary elements affect one another in a text?

Falling Action:
1.What happens
immediately after
the climax?

2.What are the
events that lead to
the end of the
story?

Identify the

FALLING ACTION

As Ruby walked into her classroom on Monday morning,
she noticed a new student sitting by the window. She
was a new student last year and knew it could be kind
of scary, so she went over to talk to him. He kept quiet
and kept his head down as she asked where he was
from. He didn’t talk to anyone for two more weeks.
Ruby made sure to smile at him every day. Finally, one
day after school, the new kid smiled back and asked
what her name was. They began to walk together to
school, do homework after school, and hang out on the
weekends. Ruby was so glad she could help a new
student and gain a new friend.

05
RESOLUTION

Lesson Essential Question:

How do literary elements affect one another in a text?

Resolution:
1.What happens at the VERY
end of the story?

2.Did the characters change?

Identify the
RESOLUTION

As Ruby walked into her classroom Monday morning,
she noticed a new student sitting by the window. She
was a new student last year and knew it could be kind
of scary, so she went over to talk to him. He kept quiet
and kept his head down as she asked where he was
from. He didn’t talk to anyone for two more weeks.
Ruby made sure to smile at him every day. Finally, one
day after school, the new kid smiled back and asked
what her name was. They began to walk together to
school, do homework after school, and hang out on the
weekends. Ruby was so glad she could help a new
student and gain a new friend.

REVIEW

Lesson Essential Questions:

How does the plot unfold in a fiction text?
How do characters change in fiction text?

Drag and Drop

the end of a story / when the conflict has been resolved:​ ​

Placeholder

the main problem in the story (involves the protagonist and antagonist): ​

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the beginning of the story - introduction to characters: ​

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the events that create suspense (before the climax): ​

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the description of a character’s physical traits (how a character looks), point of view, personality, private thoughts, and actions: ​

Placeholder

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

resolution

exposition

rising action

climax

falling action

conflict

characterization

protagonist

antagonist

Drag and Drop

the events that help resolve the conflict (after the climax): ​

Placeholder

​ ​ the main character of the story: ​

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the character or other thing that creates the main conflict with the main character: ​

Placeholder

the part of the story where the conflict's overall question is answered - usually the most exciting part of the story: ​

Placeholder

the sequence of events that make up a story: ​

Placeholder

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

climax

falling action

protagonist

antagonist

plot

resolution

rising action

character

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