Exposition and Fiction Signposts

Exposition Review

Getting background on characters, setting, and conflict.

Most stories follow the plot map formula. This helps us understand what kind of information we get about the story and the plot.

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Plot Map/
Story Diagram

Multiple Choice

What part of the story are we in?

This is where the characters face off with the conflict, and either overcome it or fail. This is usually the most exciting part of the story.

• Exposition

• Climax

• Falling Action

• Resolution

Multiple Choice

What part of the story are we in?

This is where the story is wrapped up. All questions are answered and the conflict is completed.

• Rising Action

• Exposition

• Falling Action

• Resolution

Multiple Choice

What part of the story are we in?

This part is right after the climax. It provides us details about what happened after characters faced the conflict.

• Rising Action

• Resolution

• Falling Action

• Climax

Protagonist-the main character of the story. There can be multiple protagonists.
Antagonist-refers to the source of the problem
Round/Dynamic- well known characters who change during the story.
Flat/Static-lesser known characters who don't change at all.

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Characters

Setting refers to when and where the story takes place.
You also need to know what's happening in the setting's society, and if it affects the characters.

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Setting

A character acts differently than what we expect or differently than what they had before.

Contrast and Contradictions

A character realizes something important.
This realization usually helps solve the problem or teaches us more about the characters.

Ah-ha moment

A flashback, or a memory a character recalls can help us understand character motivations or other important information for the story.

Memory Moment

When a character gets advice from an older, smarter, or more experienced character. This can help solve the problem or a character's struggles.

Words of the Wiser

A difficult choice or decision a character faces is a tough question.
This helps characters grow and problems to be dealt with.

Tough Questions

A phrase, symbol, or event happens repeatedly in a story.

This might give a clue about a theme or problem in the story.

Again and Again

Multiple Choice

What type of character do we have?

The story follows this character. They are the main character!

• Antagonist

• Flat

• Protagonist

• Static

Multiple Choice

What type of character do we have?

The story provides little to no information about this character, and they don't seem to change at all.

• Dynamic

• Flat

• Protagonist

• Antagonist

Multiple Choice

What type of character do we have?

The story gives a lot of information about this character, even if they're not the main character! They usually learn or change throughout the story.

• Dynamic

• Flat

• Protagonist

• Antagonist

Match

Match the signpost to their correct definitions!

• Contrast and Contradictions

• Ah-ha Moment

• Memory Moment

• Words of the Wiser

• Tough Questions

A char. acts differently than expected

A char. realizes something important.

A flashback that helps provide info.

A char. gets advice from another.

A difficult decision a char. faces.

• A char. acts differently than expected

• A char. realizes something important.

• A flashback that helps provide info.

• A char. gets advice from another.

• A difficult decision a char. faces.

Multiple Choice

What signpost can we find in this passage?

The shabby man who had lurched from the shadows, like an escapee from a mental asylum was Josef's father, Aaron Landau. Josef shuddered. His papa looked nothing like the man who'd be dragged away 6 months ago...

• Memory Moment

• Contrast and Contradiction

• Again and again

• Tough Questions

Multiple Choice

What signpost can we find in this passage?

The police were shooting at them! But why? Didn't Castro say it was alright to leave? Isabel's eyes fell on Luis and his girlfriend, and she understood. They had been drafted into the police, and they weren't allowed to leave.

• Ah-ha moment

• Contrast and Contradiction

• Again and Again

• Memory Moment