Supersized 
Think of a story as a
roller coaster…

Lengthy Prologue: This is when an author
has kind of a pre-chapter; introduces
characters, setting, sometimes an event
that serves as a catalyst to the conflict in
the story and/or main character.
Example: The Departed, Cliffhanger, Scream
Think of a story as a
roller coaster…

Exposition: Introduces the characters
and setting of a story
Rising Action: the conflict is
introduced, characters are developed,
events begin to build
Think of a story as a
roller coaster…

Climax: the pivotal moment in the
story; highest point of the story
Deep Backstory: the development of a
character and/or world that happened
prior to the story currently being read
Example: The Hunger Games, Batman
Begins, Man of Steel
Think of a story as a
roller coaster…

Falling action: choices made in an
effort to resolve the conflict in the
story
Extraneous scenery: information
that is included, but does not seem
important or related in any way to
the key conflict going on
Think of a story as a
roller coaster…

Jarring twist: that moment in the story that is
unexpected and changes the course of the story or
the character s. Example: Dark Knight/Rachel
dies, Dexter when Trinity kills his wife
Red herring: a false clue that leads readers or
characters towards a false conclusion.
Unreliable narrator: character whose version of
events cannot be trusted (clown, madman,
braggart, liars, children…Example: The Joker,
Dexter)
Think of a story as a
roller coaster…

 Plot Hole: A plot hole is a moment or unresolved
problem in the plot that doesn't make sense or
isn't explained to the reader. In other words,
something doesn't add up. Example: Joey has
lived in Arkansas for 8 years, but grew up in
Montana, until he graduated high school. He
went to college in Mississippi for business. He's
only 26.
Think of a story as a
roller coaster…

Suspended Disbelief: a writer infuses a
"human interest and a semblance of truth"
into a fantastic tale, the reader would
suspend judgment concerning the
implausibility of the narrative.
Examples: I Robot, Avatar, Percy Jackson and
Lightning Thief
Think of a story as a
roller coaster…

Tunnel of Badly-written Love: Do I really
need to explain??? Basically, Twilight!
Characters fall in love all of a sudden, in
times of great conflict, and having known
each other 5 minutes!
Think of a story as a
roller coaster…

Unresolved subplot: When a smaller
story line in a book, movie, etc. is left
with no resolution, making the
reader/viewer ask, “Well, what about
________??”
Cliffhanger: the story has no
denouement, suggesting at a sequel of
some sort.
Think of a story as a
roller coaster…

Denouement: the final resolution
of the intricacies of a plot, as of a
drama or novel.
Critical Reaction: The reviews of
the audience.
So, lets look at
The Alchemist

Go through the roller coaster of the plot
diagram you have been given. For The
Alchemist, provide at least one example of
how all of these elements are evident, in
some way, in the novel. Write 1-2 sentences
explaining each part of the plot in order.
For Critical Reaction, write a 5-7 sentence
review of how you felt about the book. If
you did not read it, be honest!!