Elements of Plot review

​Elements of Plot

By Erica Reeves

​Use pages 343 & 351

A story’s plot is the order of events in the story. Every plot centers on a conflict that the characters face. There are two main types of conflict. In an external conflict, a character struggles against an outside force, such as another person or a storm. In an internal conflict, a character struggles with his or her feelings.

A story must have conflict

Plot happens in stages

- Exposition: The writer introduces the characters, setting, and situation.

• Rising Action: The writer introduces the conflict and the events that explain the characters’ actions.

• Climax: The conflict reaches its most intense or exciting point.

• Falling Action: After the climax, events “calm down.”

• Resolution: The plot reaches the ending. Usually, the conflict is settled.

DIRECTIONS: Read the story summary below, noting the numbered stages. Then, answer the

questions that follow.

(1) Readers meet Shelby and Taylor, who are friends walking home from school. They decide to stop at a drugstore. (2) A little later in the story, Shelby steals a tube of lipstick from a drugstore. Taylor is upset and tells Shelby to go back and pay for it, but Shelby just shrugs. But then, Shelby dares Taylor to take something from the drugstore. Taylor is torn between doing the right thing and proving to her friend that she is fearless. (3) Finally, Taylor tries to steal a bottle of nail

polish, but she is stopped at the door by the store manager. (4) While the manager scolds Taylor and warns her that the next time she will call the police, Shelby sneaks away. (5) The next day, Shelby apologizes to Taylor for getting her in trouble and leaving her to face the manager alone. Shelby and Taylor decide they have learned their lesson. They agree to never steal anything again.

Drag and Drop

(1)​

Placeholder

Readers meet Shelby and Taylor, who are friends walking home from school. They decide to stop at a drugstore. (2) ​

Placeholder

A little later in the story, Shelby steals a tube of lipstick from a drugstore. Taylor is upset and tells Shelby to go back and pay for it, but Shelby just shrugs. But then, Shelby dares Taylor to take something from the drugstore. Taylor is torn between doing the right thing and proving to her friend that she is fearless. (3)​

Placeholder

Finally, Taylor tries to steal a bottle of nail

polish, but she is stopped at the door by the store manager. (4) ​

Placeholder

While the manager scolds Taylor and warns her that the next time she will call the police, Shelby sneaks away. (5) ​

Placeholder

The next day, Shelby apologizes to Taylor for getting her in trouble and leaving her to face the manager alone. Shelby and Taylor decide they have learned their lesson. They agree to never steal anything again.​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

Exposition

Rising Action

Climax

Falling Action

Resolution

Open Ended

Explain how this is the exposition: Readers meet Shelby and Taylor, who are friends walking home from school. They decide to stop at a drugstore. What makes this the exposition?

Open Ended

Is Taylor’s conflict external, internal, or both? Why?

Multiple Choice

At what plot stage is a story’s conflict finally settled?

• Exposition

• Falling Action

• Climax

• Resolution

Open Ended

At what plot stage is a story’s conflict finally settled?

Open Ended

At the beginning of the story, readers learn that Jack is a bold young man who loves

mountain biking. What plot stage is this? How do you know?

Open Ended

A little later in the story, Jack decides to go mountain biking alone. When a storm comes

up, the trails become slippery and dangerous. Jack searches for shelter. What part of the

story is this? Explain.

Open Ended

Before he can take cover, Jack gets caught in a mudslide. His bike slides down the

hillside on a tide of mud and rocks and is totaled. He has twisted his leg and cannot walk.

What stage is this?

Open Ended

A forest ranger sees the bicycle wrapped around a tree, so she comes out to search for

the rider. Luckily, she finds Jack. What plot stage is this? Explain.

Open Ended

At the end of the story, Jack recovers in a hospital. After a struggle with himself, he

decides never to go mountain biking alone again. What stage is this? Explain.

Open Ended

Are this story’s conflicts internal, external, or both? Explain how you know.