Time and Time and SequenceSequence

PlotPlot

PlotPlot

Is the story itselfIs the story itself A series of related events, linked like A series of related events, linked like

a chain.a chain. Each event brings us further and Each event brings us further and

further into the story.further into the story.

ConflictConflict

Hooks us because we care what Hooks us because we care what happens nexthappens next

Problem or struggleProblem or struggle Fuel of narrativeFuel of narrative The greater the conflict the more we The greater the conflict the more we

care about the outcome.care about the outcome.

Two types of conflict: Two types of conflict: External and InternalExternal and Internal

External External ConflictConflict

Internal Internal ConflictConflict

The problem/struggle The problem/struggle takes place between two takes place between two characters, between a characters, between a character and a group, or character and a group, or between a character and between a character and something non-humansomething non-human

The problem/struggle The problem/struggle takes place within a takes place within a character’s mind or heartcharacter’s mind or heart

Elements of PlotElements of Plot

Basic SituationBasic Situation A.k.a: ExpositionA.k.a: Exposition Opening of the Opening of the

storystory When the When the

characters and characters and their conflict are their conflict are introducedintroduced

Elements of PlotElements of Plot

ComplicatiComplicationsons

The actions the main The actions the main character takes to attempt character takes to attempt to resolve the conflict but to resolve the conflict but meets with more problems meets with more problems or complications: danger, or complications: danger, hostility, fear, or even a hostility, fear, or even a new threatening situationnew threatening situation

Elements of PlotElements of Plot

ClimaClimaxx

Key scene in the storyKey scene in the story Most tense or suspenseful Most tense or suspenseful

momentmoment When our emotional When our emotional

involvement is greatestinvolvement is greatest

Elements of PlotElements of Plot

ResolutiResolutionon

A.K.A: DenouementA.K.A: Denouement Occurs at the end of the storyOccurs at the end of the story All the struggles are over and All the struggles are over and

we know what is going to we know what is going to happen to all the charactershappen to all the characters

Elements of PlotElements of Plot

Plot Plot DiagramDiagram

A visual representation of the A visual representation of the elements of plot; a story map elements of plot; a story map of sorts that looks like a hill.of sorts that looks like a hill.

Starts at the bottom with the Starts at the bottom with the Basic Situation, increases with Basic Situation, increases with complications towards the complications towards the highest point of interest, the highest point of interest, the climax, and back down evening climax, and back down evening out on the denouement.out on the denouement.

PLOT DIAGRAM

CLIMAX:_______________ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________

EVENT: _________ RESOLUTION/DENOUNMENT: ________________________________ _______________________________ ________________________________ _______________________________ EVENT: _________ _____ _______________________________ ________________________________ C ________________________________ O EVENT: ____________________ P ________________________________ L ________________________________ I EVENT: _________________________ C ________________________________ A ________________________________ T EVENT: _________________________ I ________________________________ O EVENT: _________________________ N ________________________________ S BASIC SITUATION: ____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Class-workClass-work

You and a partner use a plot You and a partner use a plot diagram to draw a children’s story diagram to draw a children’s story or a fairy tale that you both know.or a fairy tale that you both know.

Time and SequenceTime and Sequence Every work of fiction is defined by a time Every work of fiction is defined by a time

span, a period of time that suits the span, a period of time that suits the writer’s purpose.writer’s purpose.

The writer has the ability to manipulate The writer has the ability to manipulate time to cause whatever effect he/she time to cause whatever effect he/she wants for a particular story. wants for a particular story.

He/she has the freedom to slow down He/she has the freedom to slow down time, skip time, fast forward time, go time, skip time, fast forward time, go back in time, or stick to real time, it is up back in time, or stick to real time, it is up to his/her own creative freedom to do as to his/her own creative freedom to do as he/she likes.he/she likes.

Time and SequenceTime and Sequence

Chronological Chronological orderorder

The order in which The order in which events unfold in real events unfold in real timetime

Manipulating TimeManipulating Time

Authors have the opportunity to Authors have the opportunity to manipulate time to control our, the manipulate time to control our, the readers, emotions.readers, emotions.

This is most commonly done in instances This is most commonly done in instances that the author wishes the reader to feel that the author wishes the reader to feel suspense.suspense.

To create suspense in the reader an To create suspense in the reader an author will slow down time to emphasize author will slow down time to emphasize a moment of danger, or skip over events a moment of danger, or skip over events that would slow down the storyline.that would slow down the storyline.

Playing with TimePlaying with Time

FlashbFlashbackack

An interruption in the flow of An interruption in the flow of events to present an episode events to present an episode from the past.from the past.

This technique is used to This technique is used to provide the readers with provide the readers with necessary background necessary background information to achieve greater information to achieve greater understanding of a situation understanding of a situation or even a character.or even a character.

Playing with TimePlaying with Time

Flash-Flash-forwardforward

Writers may also play with Writers may also play with time by jumping ahead days time by jumping ahead days or years into the future by or years into the future by using this technique.using this technique.

Sometimes the story will go Sometimes the story will go forward in this new time forward in this new time other times it will go back to other times it will go back to the original storyline.the original storyline.

Playing with timePlaying with time

ForeshadoForeshadowingwing

The technique writers use to The technique writers use to bring the future into the bring the future into the present.present.

Hints or clues the writer Hints or clues the writer suggests leading the reader suggests leading the reader to what is to come in the to what is to come in the story.story.

This keeps the reader This keeps the reader guessing and interested in guessing and interested in the storyline by feeling the storyline by feeling involved.involved.

Class-workClass-work

Include an original flashback that is Include an original flashback that is not in the story that could occur in not in the story that could occur in the tale.the tale.

VOCABULARYVOCABULARY RECEDINGRECEDING DISARMINGDISARMING PROLONGEDPROLONGED IMPRUDENTIMPRUDENT SURMOUNTEDSURMOUNTED UNRUFFLEDUNRUFFLED INVARIABLEINVARIABLE DIVERTINGDIVERTING IMPULSEIMPULSE PROTRUDINGPROTRUDING

KEY DETAILSKEY DETAILS

Rainsford, a big-Rainsford, a big-game huntergame hunter

Man overboardMan overboard Ship-trap islandShip-trap island General Zaroff, General Zaroff,

another hunteranother hunter Fierce dogsFierce dogs A trapA trap

PLOT PLOT IMPRESSIONSIMPRESSIONS