Narrative Writing: Plot Development

Plot Development: The Haunted House

Students will learn to develop a clear beginning, middle, and end for their narratives, focusing on conflict and resolution.

Word Cloud

What is plot development?

​ Introduction (Set the Scene)

• Introduce the main character(s) and setting.

• Example: “A group of friends dares to enter an old haunted house at the end of their street on Halloween night.”

​ Rising Action (Mystery Unfolds)

• Build suspense by describing strange events or discoveries.

• Example: “The door creaks open by itself, cobwebs hang from the ceiling, and a cold wind rushes through the halls. Footsteps echo upstairs.”

​ Climax (The Big Reveal)

• Show the most intense, exciting, or scary moment.

• Example: “The friends enter a dark room and suddenly a ghostly figure appears behind them!”

​ Falling Action (The Reaction)

• Show how the characters react and how the problem starts to get resolved.

• Example: “They run toward the front door, but it slams shut. One friend remembers a hidden back door.”

​ Resolution (The Ending)

• Wrap up the story and show what happens after.

• Example: “They escape into the night, laughing nervously and promising never to return. Later, they find out the ‘ghost’ was just an old mirror trick.”

Reorder

Reorder the following Plot Development:

• Exposition

• Rising Action

• Climax

• Falling Action

• Resolution

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5