Identifying the
Elements of A Plot
Diagram
Student Notes
Plot
(definition)
• Plot is the organized
pattern or sequence of
events that make up a
story. Every plot is
made up of a series of
incidents that are
related to one another.
Plot Diagram
3
2
1
4
5
1. Exposition
• This usually occurs at the beginning of a short story. Here
the characters are introduced. We also learn about the
setting of the story. Most importantly, we are introduced
to the main conflict (main problem).
2. Rising Action
• This part of the story begins to develop
the conflict(s). A building of interest or
suspense occurs.
3. Climax
• This is the turning point of the story. Usually the
main character comes face to face with a
conflict. The main character will change in some
way.
4. Falling Action
• All loose ends of
the plot are tied
up. The
conflict(s) and
climax are taken
care of.
5. Resolution
• The story comes
to a reasonable
ending.
Putting It All Together
1. Exposition
2. Rising Action
Beginning of
Story
Middle of Story
3. Climax
4. Falling Action
5. Resolution
End of Story
Conflict
External conflict—struggle between a character and an
outside force.
• character versus character
• character versus society
• character versus nature
Conflict
Internal conflict—struggle between
opposing needs or desires or
emotions within a character.
• character versus himself or
herself
Conflict
Quick Check
What type of conflict
“Y’all git some stones,” commanded Joey
now and was met with instant giggling obedience does the character
face?
as everyone except me began to gather pebbles
from the dusty ground. “Come on, Lizabeth.”
I just stood there peering through the
bushes, torn between wanting to join the fun and
feeling that it was a bit silly.
from “Marigolds” by Eugenia W. Collier
Foreshadowing
Giving hints or clues about
events that are going to
happen later in the plot is
called foreshadowing.
Examples of Foreshadowing
• “The dog woke suddenly from his nap. He
stretched and yawned. Then he took up his
position at the window, listening carefully for
the school bus.”
What event does this foreshadow?
Foreshadowing in “Lob’s Girl”
• The sign on the road leading into the village is
described as “dangerous” suggests that
something bad might happen on the road.
• The way Sandy walks to Aunt Becky’s is
described as “through the dusk” and up a
“steep hill.”
• Lob was dripping wet and “shook his head as
if to dislodge something heavy that was tied
around his neck.”
Sequence of Events
The order in which events happen in a story.
Words that signal sequence: the next day, this
morning, at 10 o’clock, at the same time, then,
tomorrow.
What other sequence words can you name?