Plot

Exposition: the part that sets the scene, introduces characters, and

provides antecedent action.

Antecedent action is what happens before the story, poem or

play began or what happens offstage

Conflict (AKA complications)

(AKA crisis)

Moments of high tension. These moments can cause characters to respond and the plot to progress.

Apex / ClimaxThe moment of highest tension at which

the outcome will be decided.

The moment when all the conflict comes to a boil. It is a critical turning point in the

play such as when a character makes a critical decision.

Resolution

The End!The final outcome.

Plot

Exposition

Falling Action

Rising Action

Climax

Resolution

Crisis

Cri

sisC

risis

This is one scholar’s visualization of plot

LET’S USE THE FAIRY

TALE “CINDERELLA”

AS AN EXAMPLE TO REVIEW THE DIFFERENT

COMPONENTS OF PLOT

In Cinderella, we find out that Cinderella’s mother died and that her father remarried to a woman with two daughters.But we never actually see the mother die or Cinderella’s life before.

EXPOSITION:

The rising action is the collection of smaller moments of conflict or tension, but they are not the main crisis – they are simply building up the tension and suspense.

RISING ACTION :

In Cinderella, the rising action would be the poor treatment of Cinderella by her stepmother and stepsisters, the promise that she will be able to go to the ball, and the work she does to get to go. Then, she can’t go, but her fairy god mother helps her, and she gets to go to the ball. She meets the prince, they dance, and they fall in love, but Cinderella has to run home leaving her shoe behind.

RISING ACTION :

In Cinderella, this is when the prince comes to Cinderella’s house, and we don’t know if Cinderella will be able to escape from her room to try on the shoe.

APEX / CLIMAX:

Falling Action (Denouement:

“untying the knot”)

The complications are resolved. The pieces all begin to fall into place.

In Cinderella, the falling action is when Cinderella is able to escape from her room, try on the shoe, and the prince knows that Cinderella is the woman from the ball.

FALLING ACTION

The prince whisks Cinderella off to the castle, they get married, and they live happily ever after.

RESOLUTION

Did you think that the climax in Cinderella was when she thought she wasn’t going to go to the ball because her mean step-sisters had ripped her dress and left her at home?

Or did you think that the climax was when the bell strikes midnight and Cinderella must flee the castle?

ALTERNATIVE CLIMAX:

ALTERNATIVE CHART

Another literary scholar argued that plots can have

more than 1 climax. He suggests that stories can

have multiple climaxes. He proposed a different chart to

help visual the plot.

Plot

Exposition

Falling Action

Rising Action

Climax

Resolution

Rising Action

Rising Action

Climax

Climax

A FEW MORE TERMS ON PLOT THAT YOU SHOULD

KNOW

SUSPENSE

The pleasurable anxiety we feel that

heightens our attention to the story, resides in

our wondering how it will turn out.

Will Cinderella get to go to the ball?

Will the prince ever know who Cinderella

was?

FORESHADOWING

An indication of events to come

Often creating anticipation (suspense)

We know that Cinderella has to be home by

midnight, and we guess that it might cause her

problems later. We also know that her stepmother

and sisters are mean and could also cause

problems for Cinderella.

EPIPHANY

Some moment of insight, discovery, or

revelation by which a character’s life,

or view of life, is greatly altered.

EPIPHANY

Some moment of insight, discovery, or

revelation by which a character’s life,

or view of life, is greatly altered.

The main character

This is not always a

heroic person. They can

have good and bad

characteristics, or they

can have all negative

characteristics.

The character who

opposes the protagonist

CHARACTERS

Protagonist Antagonist