Plot Structure and Conflict in Storytelling
undefined
PLOT STRUCTURE,
CONFLICT, AND THEME
Plot is the literary
element that
describes the
structure of the story.
Plot shows the
causal arrangement
of events and
actions within a
story.
P
L
O
T
S
T
R
U
C
T
U
R
E
Sets the scene
Author introduces
the setting and
characters
Provides
description and
background
information
E
x
a
m
p
l
e
P
L
O
T
S
T
R
U
C
T
U
R
E
:
E
X
P
O
S
I
T
I
O
N
Series of
conflicts and
crises in the
story that lead to
the turning point
E
x
a
m
p
l
e
P
L
O
T
S
T
R
U
C
T
U
R
E
:
R
I
S
I
N
G
A
C
T
I
O
N
Also called the
“turning point”
Event that the rising
action and central
conflict leads up to
Place where plot
turns or “changes
direction” toward a
resolution
E
x
a
m
p
l
e
P
L
O
T
S
T
R
U
C
T
U
R
E
:
C
L
I
M
A
X
Events that happen
as a result of the
climax as the
conflict grows
closer to being
resolved
E
x
a
m
p
l
e
P
L
O
T
S
T
R
U
C
T
U
R
E
:
F
A
L
L
I
N
G
A
C
T
I
O
N
Main conflict is
solved or
resolved
E
x
a
m
p
l
e
P
L
O
T
S
T
R
U
C
T
U
R
E
:
R
E
S
O
L
U
T
I
O
N
C
O
N
F
L
I
C
T
Without conflict, there is no plot!
Usually introduced during the rising action
Faced head-on during the climax
Begins to work itself out during the falling action
Is resolved during the resolution
I
n
t
e
r
n
a
l
Character vs Him- or
Herself
Struggle takes place in
character’s own mind
Usually something to do
with choice or
overcoming emotions or
mixed feelings
E
x
t
e
r
n
a
l
Character vs Character
Protagonist vs antagonist
Character vs Nature
Usually character is struggling
to survive
Character vs Society
Group of characters fighting
against society
Character fights against social
traditions or rules
C
O
N
F
L
I
C
T
O
T
H
E
R
T
Y
P
E
S
O
F
C
O
N
F
L
I
C
T
Character vs Supernatural
Gods, ghosts, monsters, spirits, aliens, etc.
Character vs Fate
Fight for choice; fight against destiny
Character vs Technology
Computers, machines, etc.
T
H
E
M
E
The theme is the universal message about truth or life that is
communicated by a literary work
Life lesson
Meaning
Moral
Message about life or human nature
Theme is NOT just one word like “love,” or “happiness”
Theme is expressed in at least one sentence:
Money can’t buy happiness
It is better to die free than live under tyranny
H
O
W
D
O
W
E
F
I
N
D
T
H
E
T
H
E
M
E
?
Sometimes explicit (directly stated)
Most often in fiction, the theme is implicit (hinted at or
suggested)
Themes can be inferred through:
Metaphors
Similes
Personification
Imagery
Tone of voice
Symbols
T
I
P
S
F
O
R
I
D
E
N
T
I
F
Y
I
N
G
T
H
E
T
H
E
M
E
Look closely at the title for clues
Look for ideas that are repeated more than once
Look for lessons that the character(s) learns
Think about what happens in the story and how it can apply to
real life
Plot structure is a key element in storytelling that outlines the sequence of events in a narrative. It consists of the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. Additionally, conflicts drive the plot by creating tension and obstacles for the characters to overcome, such as internal, external, character vs. character, character vs. nature, and character vs. society conflicts.
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author. Download presentation by click this link. If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
PLOT STRUCTURE Plot is the literary element that describes the structure of the story. Plot shows the causal arrangement of events and actions within a story.
PLOT STRUCTURE: EXPOSITION Example Sets the scene Author introduces the setting and characters Provides description and background information
PLOT STRUCTURE: RISING ACTION Series of conflicts and crises in the story that lead to the turning point Example
PLOT STRUCTURE: CLIMAX Example Also called the turning point Event that the rising action and central conflict leads up to Place where plot turns or changes direction toward a resolution
PLOT STRUCTURE: FALLING ACTION Events that happen as a result of the climax as the conflict grows closer to being resolved Example
PLOT STRUCTURE: RESOLUTION Main conflict is solved or resolved Example
CONFLICT Without conflict, there is no plot! Usually introduced during the rising action Faced head-on during the climax Begins to work itself out during the falling action Is resolved during the resolution
CONFLICT Internal External Character vs Him- or Herself Struggle takes place in character s own mind Usually something to do with choice or overcoming emotions or mixed feelings Character vs Character Protagonist vs antagonist Character vs Nature Usually character is struggling to survive Character vs Society Group of characters fighting against society Character fights against social traditions or rules
OTHER TYPES OF CONFLICT Character vs Supernatural Gods, ghosts, monsters, spirits, aliens, etc. Character vs Fate Fight for choice; fight against destiny Character vs Technology Computers, machines, etc.
THEME The theme is the universal message about truth or life that is communicated by a literary work Life lesson Meaning Moral Message about life or human nature Theme is NOT just one word like love, or happiness Theme is expressed in at least one sentence: Money can t buy happiness It is better to die free than live under tyranny
HOW DO WE FIND THE THEME? Sometimes explicit (directly stated) Most often in fiction, the theme is implicit (hinted at or suggested) Themes can be inferred through: Metaphors Similes Personification Imagery Tone of voice Symbols
TIPS FOR IDENTIFYING THE THEME Look closely at the title for clues Look for ideas that are repeated more than once Look for lessons that the character(s) learns Think about what happens in the story and how it can apply to real life
