English 1A Plot Elements

Truong elements of Plot from Semester 1

Plot

The careful arrangement of incidents in a narrative to achieve a desired effect, resulting from deliberate selection and arrangement by the author.

Inciting Incident

The event that sets the rising action of a story into motion, marking the beginning of the story's problem.

Exposition

The revelation of setting, character relationships, and background information needed to understand the plot, usually at the beginning of a narrative.

Conflict

The struggle between opposing forces that drives the action in drama and narrative fiction, including external and internal conflicts.

Rising Action

The part of a plot leading to the climax, characterized by increasing interest and power.

Complications

Entangling affairs in the plot's development that must be unraveled in the resolution.

Climax

The point in the plot where a decision or action leads to conflict resolution, often the crisis or turning point for the protagonist.

Falling Action

The plot part following the climax that leads to the resolution.

Resolution

The final resolving of conflicts and complications in the plot.

Denouement

The final resolution of conflicts and complications, providing a clearer resolution and wrapping up loose ends.

Foreshadowing

Giving hints or clues about future events to create suspense and prepare the reader.

Irony

A literary device where the outcome goes against expectations.

Dialogue

Conversation between characters used to reveal personalities, traits, and build suspense in the plot.

Setting

The time and place where narrative events occur, contributing to the story's impact and meaning.

Allusion

An indirect reference that provides context by referring to something familiar.

Symbolism

The use of words or images to represent concepts, persons, objects, or events in a narrative.

Characters

The main figures in a story, developed through direct descriptions, actions, thoughts, and interactions.

Characterization

The method used by an author to develop characters' qualities and personalities.

Imagery

Creating mental images through a collection of descriptive language in a literary work.

Theme

The central message or insight in a story, encompassing character, plot, conflict, symbols, images, and narrative techniques.

Imperative Sentences

Sentences that make a request or give a command, with an unstated subject - you.

Run-On Sentences

Occur when cramming too much in a sentence, combining independent clauses without proper conjunctions.

Coordinating Conjunctions

Connect 2 independent clauses with a comma, such as "and," "but," "or."

Verb Tense/Form

Differentiates action verbs, linking verbs, and helping verbs in present, past, future, present perfect, past perfect, future perfect, and "timeless" forms.

Past Participles

Used in present, past, or future perfect tenses, especially with irregular verbs like swim/swam/swum, give/gave/given.

Verbal Irony

Doesn’t literally mean what someone says. Says the opposite of what they mean. Not all verbal irony is sarcasm. Sarcasm is verbal irony WITH attitude. 

Dramatic Irony

When the audience knows the event and knows what the characters will miss. Feels like when you’re in on a secret.

Situational Irony

Does the opposite of what you expect. Reasonable explanations are not met.

Dialogue

The conversation between two or more people. Writers often use dialogue to reveal their characters; personalities and traits by revealing what they say in relation to the conflict. It’s also used to slow time and build suspense for how the plot will move forward and how the conflict will be resolved.