What is Plot?What is Plot?

The sequence of events in a short The sequence of events in a short story. Plots usually follow a pattern story. Plots usually follow a pattern you can recognize. you can recognize.

1. Exposition1. Exposition

This is the beginning of the story This is the beginning of the story where you meet the characters and where you meet the characters and find out about the setting. find out about the setting.

Exposition (Intro to characters and setting)

Exposition: CinderellaExposition: Cinderella

Characters: Cinderella, evil Characters: Cinderella, evil stepmother, stepsistersstepmother, stepsisters

Setting: long ago, Cinderella’s houseSetting: long ago, Cinderella’s house

2. Conflict2. Conflict

First, the writer describes a conflict, First, the writer describes a conflict, which is a struggle between opposing which is a struggle between opposing sides or forces. sides or forces.

The conflict or problem is introduced.

Exposition

Conflict in CinderellaConflict in Cinderella

There is going to be a ball, where the There is going to be a ball, where the prince will choose a bride. prince will choose a bride. Cinderella’s step-family won’t allow Cinderella’s step-family won’t allow her to attend. her to attend.

3. Rising Action3. Rising Action

The conflict gets more and more The conflict gets more and more intense as the story moves to a high intense as the story moves to a high point. point.

Rising Action

Exposition Conflict

Rising Action in CinderellaRising Action in Cinderella

Cinderella’s fairy godmother makes it Cinderella’s fairy godmother makes it possible for her to attend the ball, possible for her to attend the ball, but she must leave at midnight. She but she must leave at midnight. She dances with the prince and it’s a dances with the prince and it’s a magical moment.magical moment.

4. Climax4. Climax After the conflict becomes After the conflict becomes

intense, it reaches a climax. intense, it reaches a climax. The climax is the point at The climax is the point at which the conflict is which the conflict is greatest. It’s the most greatest. It’s the most exciting part of the story!exciting part of the story!

Climax

Exposition Conflict

Rising Action

Climax in CinderellaClimax in Cinderella

It’s midnight and Cinderella must It’s midnight and Cinderella must leave so she flees from the palace leave so she flees from the palace and loses her glass slipper on the and loses her glass slipper on the steps!steps!

5. Falling Action5. Falling Action

After the climax of the story has taken After the climax of the story has taken place, there are sometimes a few place, there are sometimes a few quick events that lead to the end of quick events that lead to the end of the story. the story. Sometimes, there is no Sometimes, there is no falling action.falling action.

Climax

Conflict

Rising Action

Falling action

Falling Action in CinderellaFalling Action in Cinderella

The prince uses the slipper to find The prince uses the slipper to find Cinderella. He tries the slipper on Cinderella. He tries the slipper on every female in the land, including every female in the land, including the stepsisters, but it doesn’t fit.the stepsisters, but it doesn’t fit.

Climax

Exposition Conflict

Rising Action

Resolution

6. Resolution6. Resolution

After the climax you learn the After the climax you learn the resolution, or outcome of the conflict, resolution, or outcome of the conflict, before the story ends.before the story ends.

Falling action

Resolution in CinderellaResolution in Cinderella

Cinderella tries the slipper on and it Cinderella tries the slipper on and it fits! Cinderella and the prince get fits! Cinderella and the prince get married and live happily ever after.married and live happily ever after.

Rikki Tikki-Tavi VocabularyRikki Tikki-Tavi Vocabulary

RevivedRevived: brought back to life or : brought back to life or consciousnessconsciousness

Synonym: resususcitatedSynonym: resususcitated

Antonym: suffocatedAntonym: suffocated

ImmenselyImmensely: something done with the : something done with the largest amount possiblelargest amount possible

Synonyms: enormously, hugelySynonyms: enormously, hugely Antonyms: slightlyAntonyms: slightly

MourningMourning: the expression of sorrow : the expression of sorrow or grief after something is lostor grief after something is lost

Synonym:sadnessSynonym:sadness Antonyms: joy, happinessAntonyms: joy, happiness

VerandaVeranda: an open porch, usually with : an open porch, usually with a roofa roof

Synonym: balconySynonym: balcony

ConsolationConsolation: something that comforts : something that comforts a disappointed persona disappointed person

Synonym:sympathySynonym:sympathy

CunningCunning: trying to trick or cheat : trying to trick or cheat othersothers

Synonym: sneakySynonym: sneaky Antonym: honestlyAntonym: honestly

ValiantValiant: brave or courageous: brave or courageous

Synonym: heroicSynonym: heroic

Antonym: cowardlyAntonym: cowardly

ScornfullyScornfully: expressing something in a : expressing something in a way that shows dislike or disrespectway that shows dislike or disrespect

Synonym: rude, disrespectSynonym: rude, disrespect Antonym: polite, respectfulAntonym: polite, respectful