Unit 1:Unit 1:Into the UnknownInto the Unknown

Notes on PlotNotes on Plot

PlotPlot

The sequence of events in a The sequence of events in a story.story.– Chronological OrderChronological Order: events happen : events happen

in real time.in real time.– Stream of ConsciousnessStream of Consciousness: events : events

happen as the characters think happen as the characters think about them.about them.

ConflictConflict

ConflictConflict is the main struggle in a is the main struggle in a story.story.– External ConflictExternal Conflict is a struggle is a struggle

between one character and some between one character and some other, outside force like other people other, outside force like other people or the environment.or the environment.

– Internal ConflictInternal Conflict is a struggle that is a struggle that takes place within a character’s own takes place within a character’s own heart and mind.heart and mind.

Basic SituationBasic Situation

The opening of a story where the The opening of a story where the characters and their conflict(s) characters and their conflict(s) are introduced.are introduced.

Sometimes called the Sometimes called the “exposition.”“exposition.”

ComplicationComplication

A hurdle or barrier that increases A hurdle or barrier that increases the danger, tension, or difficulty the danger, tension, or difficulty faced by the characters when faced by the characters when trying to resolve the conflict.trying to resolve the conflict.

ClimaxClimax

The key scene in a story. This is The key scene in a story. This is sometimes called the “turning” sometimes called the “turning” point.point.

The climax is where the conflict is The climax is where the conflict is resolved.resolved.

ResolutionResolution

Resolution is the end of the story. Resolution is the end of the story. The reader knows how the The reader knows how the characters will turn out.characters will turn out.

Resolution is sometimes called, Resolution is sometimes called, “denouement” .“denouement” .

FlashbackFlashback

Going back in time in the story to Going back in time in the story to get some background on the get some background on the characters and conflicts.characters and conflicts.

FlashforwardFlashforward

Going into the future to get Going into the future to get background on characters or background on characters or conflicts.conflicts.

ForeshadowingForeshadowing

Hints in a story about future Hints in a story about future events.events.

The Freytag PyramidThe Freytag Pyramid

A visual A visual representation of representation of a short-story a short-story plot.plot.

Parallel PlotParallel Plot

This can occur when characters This can occur when characters start out together and then start out together and then separate to pursue their own separate to pursue their own storylines. They may meet up storylines. They may meet up again at a later point.again at a later point.

This can also occur when This can also occur when characters start in separate characters start in separate storylines then converge later in storylines then converge later in the story. the story.

MoodMood

The feeling the reader gets as he The feeling the reader gets as he or she reads the text.or she reads the text.

ToneTone

The author or speaker’s attitude The author or speaker’s attitude toward the subject matter.toward the subject matter.

Tension/SuspenseTension/Suspense

The tug and pull between what a The tug and pull between what a reader wants or hopes will reader wants or hopes will happen in a story and what happen in a story and what actually does happen in a story.actually does happen in a story.

Theme/Moral LessonTheme/Moral Lesson

The insight into life or moral truth The insight into life or moral truth the author communicates through the author communicates through the plot.the plot.

AllusionAllusion

A reference to some person, A reference to some person, character, work of literature, or character, work of literature, or historical event outside the plot of historical event outside the plot of the story.the story.

Frequently, characters and lines Frequently, characters and lines from the works of William from the works of William Shakespeare and the Bible are Shakespeare and the Bible are used in allusions.used in allusions.

SymbolSymbol

A person, place, or thing in a A person, place, or thing in a story that has both a literal story that has both a literal meaning and a figurative (or meaning and a figurative (or interpretive) meaning.interpretive) meaning.

AnecdoteAnecdote

A short story within a story that A short story within a story that adds background or proves a adds background or proves a point. point.

DictionDiction

Word choice and its effect on the Word choice and its effect on the reader.reader.

DenotationDenotation

The literal, dictionary definition of The literal, dictionary definition of a word.a word.

ConnotationConnotation

The inferred, interpreted The inferred, interpreted emotional meaning of a word.emotional meaning of a word.

Words can have a positive or Words can have a positive or negative connotation based on negative connotation based on their context.their context.