The most intense, exciting, or important point of something; a culmination or apex. Ex. When Little Red Riding Hood comments on the wolf's nose, eyes, ears, and teeth, and he responds by swallowing her in one big gulp.

Sequence of events in a story. Ex. "First, Jack went out to sell the cow, and then he bought some magic beans. After that, Jack's mom got mad and threw the beans out the window."

A person (or animal) in a story. Ex. Harry Potter, Lord Voldemort, Ron Weasley, etc.

The use of hints and clues to suggest what will happen later in a plot. Ex. "Our hero is in a Wild West saloon. The hero walks in and orders a drink. Over in the corner, the bad guy watches him drink. As the hero leaves, the bad guy spits on the floor (what do you think will happen?)."

Main character of a story. Ex. Simba, Elsa, Ariel (Little Mermaid), Cinderella, Pocahontas, Wreck it Ralph.

A struggle between opposing forces. Ex. person against person, person against nature, person against self, person against society, person vs. technology, person vs. supernatural.

The subject of a talk, a piece of writing, a person's thoughts, or an exhibition; a topic. Ex. The _________ of the Lion King is that life is constantly changing, using the motif of the circle of life. One day you're born, then you're a child, then you fly the nest and become an adult, then you become a parent yourself, and the circle starts all over again.

A scene in a movie, novel, etc., set in a time earlier than the main story. "As Keri cut up the tiny pieces of paper, she thought about being a child making making crafts with her mother."

What is the Time and Place of the Story?

The first part of the plot diagram is known as the

Today, it is not uncommon to see women wearing high-heeled shoes. However, the first high-heeled shoes were actually made for men back in the 1500s. The heels helped soldiers keep their feet in the stirrups of their saddles as they rode into battle.

The lost campers sweltered in the heat of the desert sun.

Congress put a tariff on overseas goods so the price would not be lower than domestic products.

The scared rock climber balanced precariously on the edge of the cliff.

We often travel to New England in the autumn to see the bright colors of the fall foliage.

Each student was allotted two tickets to the dance.

The mood was somber at the funeral of the former president.