ANALYZING PLOT for STAAR

Analyzing Plot Elements

By Stephanie Hinson

Part or Whole?

The STAAR will ask you how parts of the text contribute to the plot as a whole, or how they contribute to one of the plot parts. You first need to figure out which type of question it is.

Read the question, then think:

Is it asking about a part of the plot, or the plot of the whole story?

Multiple Choice

How do paragraphs 1-2 contribute to the exposition?

• Part of the plot

• The plot as a whole

Multiple Choice

How do Tim's actions in paragraph 2 contribute to the plot?

• Part of the plot

• Plot as a whole

Multiple Choice

How does paragraph 4 contribute to the rising action?

• Part of the plot

• The plot as a whole

Multiple Choice

How does Terry's dialogue in paragraphs 5-9 contribute to the plot?

• Part of the plot

• The plot as a whole

​Plot as a Whole

If it asks how something contributes to the whole plot, it is asking you how it fits into the story, and what purpose it serves.

How does it move the story along?
Does it affect the conflict?
Does it cause a character to change?
Why is it there?

Choose the answer choice that fits best.

Next Slide:
How do paragraphs 1-3 contribute to the plot?

A. they provide the reason for the narrator's inner conflict

B. They hint at how the narrator will solve her problem

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C. they describe a conflict between Omar and his mother

D. They establish Omar's discomfort in around his classmates

Multiple Choice

How does paragraph 1-3 contribute to the plot?

• they provide the reason for the narrator's inner conflict

• They hint at how the narrator will solve her problem

• they describe a conflict between Omar and his mother

• They establish Omar's discomfort in around his classmates

Next Slide:
How does paragraphs 6 contribute to the plot?

A. In shows a change in Omar that improves his relationship with his mother

B. The narrator learns to understand her mother better.

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C. They show that the narrator really does love her brother.

Multiple Choice

How does paragraphs 6 contribute to the plot?

• A. It shows a change in Omar that improves his relationship with his mother

• The narrator learns to understand her mother better.

• They show that the narrator really does love her brother.

Part of the plot

If the question is asking about a part of the plot:

1. Identify which plot part it is asking about.
2. What is the function of that plot part?

3. Then read the paragraph(s) the question is asking about, and think:

How does that paragraph help fulfill that function.

Let's first look at the question

A. Exposition
B. Rising Action
C. Climax
D. Falling action

Next Slide:
What plot part are they asking about?

Question:
Paragraphs 1 and 2 contribute to the rising action of the story by showing that the father-

Multiple Choice

Paragraphs 1 and 2 contribute to the rising action of the story by showing that the father-

This question is about the-

• Exposition

• Rising Action

• Climax

• Falling Action

What is this part's function?

What is "Rising Action"?

What is its function in the story?

Multiple Choice

What does the rising action do in a story?

• Introduces setting, conflict and characters

• Builds up the conflict until something has to be change

• it is the exciting part that represents a changing point in the conflict

• it shows the results in the change in the conflict

Let's try Looking at a question

A. has difficulty relating to his sons

B. no longer believes words alone will be effective

C. understands why his sons fight so often

​
How do paragraphs 1 and 2 build up the conflict until something has to change?

Paragraphs 1 and 2 contribute to the rising action of the story by showing that the father-

Multiple Choice

Paragraphs 1 and 2 contribute to the rising action of the story by showing that the father-

• A. has difficulty relating to his sons

• B. no longer believes words alone will be effective

• C. understands why his sons fight so often

​Which sentence best expresses the turning point of the story?

Next Slide:
What part of the plot is being asked about here?

Multiple Choice

"​Which sentence best expresses the "turning point" of the story?"

Which part of the plot is being asked about here?

• Rising action

• Climax

• Falling Action

• Resolution

Multiple Choice

What is the function of a climax? (AKA "Turning Point")

• To show a change in the conflict that has been building in the story.

• To set up the characters, setting, and conflict

• 
  To build up the conflict

• To tie up loose ends and end the story

​Which sentence best expresses the turning point of the story?

A. He then handed the bundle to each of his quarrelsome sons and asked each son to try to break it in half

B. But if you are divided among yourselves, you will be no stronger than a single stick from that bundle.

C. They were each able to break a single stick.

Multiple Choice

​Which sentence best expresses the turning point of the story?

• A. He then handed the bundle to each of his quarrelsome sons and asked each son to try to break it in half

• B. But if you are divided among yourselves, you will be no stronger than a single stick from that bundle.

• C. They were each able to break a single stick.