Lesson 29 — Activity 1: More about Plot, Conflict, and Setting
Completion requirements
Lesson 29 — Activity 1:
More about Plot , Conflict , and Setting
Previously, you learned about plot, conflict, and setting and answered questions related to the
introduction
of your novel. Now you will take a closer look at some of the other aspects of plot.
1. You know that the
introduction
is the beginning of the story. The
setting and characters are introduced and you begin to learn what the
story is about and what the conflict may be.
2. The rising action is when the events build up in an exciting or interesting way. The story and characters are developed.
Courtesy of Pixabay
Courtesy of Pixabay
3. One of the key parts of a story is the climax. In many stories, the climax is the high point of the action.
It
may be a great battle that has been brewing, or the crash that you knew
was going to occur, or the moment when a tornado hits.
Courtesy of Public Domain
However, not all stories are full of action and excitement, so the idea of climax needs to be broader. It is the point at which the conflict is most interesting, and the outcome is becoming more obvious to the reader or viewer.
Courtesy of Public Domain
However, not all stories are full of action and excitement, so the idea of climax needs to be broader. It is the point at which the conflict is most interesting, and the outcome is becoming more obvious to the reader or viewer.
It is when Mary decides to take a scholarship and move away
from her boyfriend to go to college.
Courtesy of Pixabay
It is when James decides to use his savings to help his neighbours through a rough time, rather than buying a new mountain bike.
Everything in the story to date (the rising action) has been leading up to the climax.
Courtesy of Pixabay
It is when James decides to use his savings to help his neighbours through a rough time, rather than buying a new mountain bike.
Everything in the story to date (the rising action) has been leading up to the climax.
4. After the climax comes
the falling action. You now know how the story is going to end and how
the characters have been affected by the events. The conflict in which
the protagonist has been involved is finally resolved.
Courtesy of Pixabay
Courtesy of Pixabay
5. The conclusion or resolution is the end of the story. Problems are resolved and loose ends are tied up.
Courtesy of Pixabay
Courtesy of Pixabay
The other thing to consider about plot is the use of literary devices. Two of these devices are flashbacks and foreshadowing. They are used to add interest, information, or suspense to a story.
Flashbacks:
Flashbacks:
- They are parts of stories that occur out of chronological order to show an event from an earlier point in time.
- They usually happen during the introduction and the rising action to give readers more information about characters and events. For example, a story may include a flashback to a character’s childhood so the reader can learn an important event in the character’s life that has caused him or her to act a certain way.
- In a flashback, the character does not simply tell about a previous experience but relives it as if it is happening right now. Some novels will have no flashbacks, while some use many.
Foreshadowing:
- This provides clues as to what is going to happen later in the story. Sometimes, the reader may not even recognize the clue until the event occurs.
- This usually happens during the rising action.
Remember to continue to consider the setting of your novel. Reflect on your ideas about this now that you have completed the novel.
Have you decided whether or not setting was important to this particular story or whether it was universal?
Reading Journal
Journal Entry #10
Think of a situation that happened to a person in the story, and decide whether you would have done the same thing he or she did or something different. Write about what you might have done in the same situation.
Think of a situation that happened to a person in the story, and decide whether you would have done the same thing he or she did or something different. Write about what you might have done in the same situation.