Man vs. Society One person in opposition to a group of people (or personified characters), culture, or public opinion. The high school girl who is being pressured to conform to the risque fashion styles worn by her peers. Man vs. Himself One person struggling with internal conflict, temptation, or trial. The loving husband facing the temptation to steal to pay for the medicine his wife needs to live. Man vs. Man One person in opposition to another or a personified character. The righteous hero vs. the evil villain or two people separated by anger, envy, or an argument. Man vs. Nature One person against the environment, act of nature, or natural disaster. Caribbean dwellers vs. the hurricane, the stranded explorers vs. the hungry wolves. Man vs. God (or gods or Fate) One person in opposition to some controlling force like God or Fate. The rebellious Christian who does not want to submit to the will of God in a particular area of his life. 1
Plot Structure: Elements Exposition Background information that is needed to understand the story. The exposition ends with the inciting moment, the beginning action. Rising Action The way the characters handle the conflict or the obstacle(s) they encounter. Climax Falling Action Resolution or Denoument The turning point or point of highest tension. Sometimes called the point of no return. The way the conflict is solved; a decrease in tension. The conclusion or way events turn out. (Note, for a tragedy, this final section is sometimes called the catastrophe.) 2
Plot Structure: "The Gift of the Magi" 3
Plot Devices: flashback in medias res cliffhanger Chekhov's gun dues ex machina foreshadowing frame story twist ending 4
Conflict Review: Q: What is one way to determine the conflict? A: Ask yourself "what is the main character's problem? What does he not have that he needs/wants? Q: What is the major conflict? A: The main conflict/problem of the story that the character must deal with. 5
Exercise 4: Plot Analysis How many of you read the directions? How many of you completed the first part of the directions? How many of you applied the second part of the directions? 6
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Exposition Review: 8
Rising Action Review: 9
Climax Review: 10
Falling Action Review: 11
Resolution Review: 12
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Suspension of Disbelief Review: 14
Rainsford survives the treacherous sea twice, a luxurious chateau exists in the middle of nowhere (how does it get supplied?), Rainsford can dig a Burmese Tiger pit with his bare hands and in record time, and many others. 15
How Does and Author Create Suspense? Review: Q: What is suspense? A: Suspense is defined as "characters facing looming danger but with a ray of hope. Either danger (tragedy) or hope (comedy) could triumph, and the uncertainty between the two propels the story to its outcome" (41). Q: How do authors create suspense? A: The author creates suspense "in four ways: characterization, uncertainty, helplessness, and literary devices" (41). 16
How Does and Author Create Suspense? Review: Q: How does an author use characterization to create suspense? A: He makes the character "believable and likeable" (41). Q: How does an author use uncertainty to create suspense? A: "...the author creates suspense by placing (characters) in unstable or precarious situations, but always with some hope or promise of a potential solution to their conflict or dilemma" (42). Q: How does the author use helplessness to create suspense? A: The author leaves the reader feeling helpless at times. "They know they can't change the outcome...we can't intervene, and that creates tension for us. Although the end is certain, how that end is achieved is uncertain one of the prime ingredients for building suspense. 17
How Does and Author Create Suspense? Review: Q: How does the author use literary techniques to create suspe A: They have a toolbox full of techniques: Plot devices Sentence Construction Imagery Change in Point of View Diction 18
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Attachments Gingy's Flashback from Shrek