5.3 Lesson Conflict and Plot

Review of  Plot and Conflict

Assignment

---

Plots:

Writers develop conflicts by adding: 

• unexpected complications
• plot twists
• moments in which suspense is lessened (called tension relief) and then increased until it moves to the climax.
  

The story is over when conflicts are resolved.

Characters face a series of related conflicts as they move from beginning to end. They may solve a problem or get out of a situation, and then find themselves faced with new problems or situations. The problems are generally realistic or believable so that the problem has some artistic or emotional effect on the reader.

The plot line of a novel follows this format:

1. Introduction or Exposition
   
2.  Rising Action
   
3.  Climax
   
4.  Resolution

---

Sub Plots...

• are less important than the main plot
  
• are minor stories within the main story
  
• expose individual stories of supporting characters in the novel
  
• are different from the main plot, but have a similar theme as the main plot

Does an improbable event bring the story to a happy ending? How realistic is your novel?

---

Often you will find characters in novels working together. As a group or a team, characters may face relationship problems as in the following chart:

Sample Problems	Sample Ways of Dealing with Problems
	Passive	Aggressive	Assertive
Misunderstandings Lack of commitment or communication Personality Clashes Unfair division of labour (One person doing all the work)	Keeping quiet Avoiding conflict Not expressing your feelings Being vague	Getting your own way Hurting other people Interrupting others Putting people down Manipulating others	Listening to other people   Finding solutions Demonstrating respect Expressing feelings openly