A plot must make sense! The characters, time, place, and other background information that provides the context for the play.

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1 PLOT STRUCTURE PLOT The sequence or order of events in a story; what happens The first event causes the second; the second event causes the third; and so on. Note: a story is anything that tells a story: a short story, a novel, a play, a movie, a tv show, whatever. PLOT A plot must make sense! If it doesn t, you will lose your audience. EXPOSITION The characters, time, place, and other background information that provides the context for the play. 1

2 1 = Exposition 2 = Inciting Incident STARTING EVENT INCITING INCIDENT The event that starts the characters on their journey. Introduces the conflict. INCITING INCIDENT Harry Potter? Hatchet? Hunger Games? Divergent? 2

3 CONFLICT CONFLICT The main problem in a story. The struggle between opposing forces. What is a story like if there are no problems? BORING!!!!! CONFLICT There is no plot without a conflict. TYPES OF CONFLICT All conflicts are in this basic format: PROTAGONIST V. ANTAGONIST The conflict is the heart of the story. 3

4 PROTAGONIST PROTAGONIST Protagonist: the main character. The story revolves around this character. This is the character we are supposed to identify most strongly with. Often known as the hero. Is the protagonist always the hero or the good person? ANTAGONIST Antagonist: The cause of the conflict with the protagonist. Does not always have to be another character. ANTAGONIST Is the antagonist always evil? Often known as the villain. 4

5 CHARACTER V. CHARACTER A type of external conflict where the character has struggle or a problem with another character. Can you think of an CHARACTER V. NATURE A type of external conflict where the character has an outside struggle or problem with forces of nature (storm, animal, wilderness, etc.). The character struggles to survive. Can you think of an CHARACTER V. SOCIETY A type of external conflict where the character has an outside struggle or problem with a group of people or system of the government. The character struggles with the rules or traditions of society. Can you think of an CHARACTER V. SUPERNATURAL A type of external conflict where the character has an outside struggle or problem with otherworldly forces (magic, ghosts, vampires, fate, etc.). Can you think of an 5

6 CHARACTER V. TECHNOLOGY A type of external conflict where the character has an outside struggle or problem with technology (computers, robots, etc.) Can you think of an CHARACTER V. SELF A type of internal conflict where the character has an internal struggle or a problem with themselves. The character has to make a difficult choice or deal with an emotion. Can you think of an External Conflicts TYPES OF CONFLICT PROTAGONIST V. ANTAGONIST Character v. Character Character v. Nature Character v. Society Character v. Supernatural Character v. Technology Character v. Self Internal Conflict 3 = Rising Action 6

7 RISING ACTION RISING ACTION A series of complications/problems or new twists the characters must overcome on the way to the climax. The longest part of a story. Each new problem or plot twist the characters must overcome adds suspense and tension to the story. It makes us want to keep watching. 4 = Climax CLIMAX The point of highest suspense or tension in the plot; a major turning point in the plot. Often, the main character changes in some way. 7

8 FALLING ACTION Whatever happens after the climax. Generally the conflict is resolved in the falling action. 5 = Falling Action The tension is decreasing. RESOLUTION/ENDING The conclusion, the tying together of all of the threads. The outcome of the events after the conflict has been resolved. 6 = Resolution/Ending Do all questions have to be answered? 8

9 BUTTON A feeling of completion at the end of a story. The very last moment we see/hear in a play. Part of the resolution/ending. 7 = Button Don t just end your story. Finish it! 9