Plot Elements

The problem of the story

• Inciting Incident

• Conflict

• Theme

• Climax

The "eye" or narrative voice (example: first person or third person)

• Point of View (POV)

• Theme

• Exposition

• Setting

This part of the story begins to develop the conflict(s). A building of interest and suspense occurs.

• Exposition

• Inciting Incident

• Rising Action

• Climax

This is when the main character and setting are introduced.

The backstory is established.

• Setting

• Exposition

• Rising Action

• Inciting Incident

This is an event or decision that begins a story's problem. This incident upsets the balance of things. Suddenly there is a problem to be solved = CONFLICT is made clear.

• Exposition

• Setting

• Rising Action

• Inciting Incident

The location and time frame in which a narrative takes place.

• Exposition

• Point of View (POV)

• Setting

• Theme

This is the turning point of the story. Usually, the main character will come face-to-face with a conflict. The main character will change in some way.

• Climax

• Falling Action

• Theme

• Resolution

Loose ends are being tied up. At this point, the conflict(s) are starting to resolve.

• Resolution

• Climax

• Falling Action

• Exposition

The story comes to a reasonable ending. The lesson or moral of the story have become clear.

• Falling Action

• Climax

• Exposition

• Resolution

An organized pattern or sequence of events that make up a story.

• Plot

• Inciting Incident

• Timeline

• Exposition