1A Plot Elements

Plot

The careful arrangement by an author or incidents in a narrative to achieve a desired effect. It’s the result of the writer’s deliberate selection of interrelated actions and choice of arrangement in presenting and resolving conflict. They normally involve conflict (external or internal).

Inciting Incident

A term used to describe the incident or impetus that sets the rising action of a play or other work of fiction into motion. This begins the story’s problem. Everything up until this is backstory, but everything after is “the story.”

Exposition

The immediate or gradual revelation to the audience of the setting, relationships between characters, and other background information needed to understand the plot. Normally happens at the beginning either a little at a time or through flashbacks.

Conflict

The struggle between opposing forces that determines the action in drama and most narrative fiction. Conflicts can be character against nature, fate, character, or self. There are external and internal conflicts. External is against another character or nature; internal is against themself. 

Rising Action

The part of a plot that leaders through a series of increasing interest and power to the climax. It begins with the inciting moment and moves through complications toward the climax. Think of it like everything before the climax (turning point).

Complications

An entangling of affairs early in the development of the plot that must be unraveled in the resolution in the end. They normally develop during the rising action.

Climax

The point where a character makes a decision or takes an action that leads to the resolution of the conflict. It usually is the crisis or turning point for the protagonist. 

Falling Action

The part of the plot that follows the climax and leads to the resolution/denouement. 

Resolution

The final resolving of the conflicts and complications in the plot

Denouement

The final part resolution of the conflicts and complications; complete resolution and explains all the matters. It is a clearer resolution. All loose ends are wrapped up and misunderstandings are cleared up.

Foreshadowing

The technique of giving hints or clues that prepare for events that will occur later on. Creates suspense, prepares the reader for what is to come, and makes final outcomes seem inevitable.

Irony (generic term)

Something that goes against normal expectations

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 you’re in on a secret.

Situational Irony

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

Dialogue

The conversation between two or more people. Often used to reveal their characters, personalities and traits by revealing what they say in relation to the conflict. Used to slow time and build suspense for how the plot will move forward and how the conflict will be resolved.

Allusion

Gives an indirect reference. Gives more context to a point by referring to something popular, usually another writing or work.

Symbolism

The use of words or images to represent a concept, person, object, or event.

How the author might describe a character

Direct description, character’s actions, character’s comments, character’s thoughts, character’s actions, character’s looks, how other characters respond to the character

Characterization

The method an author uses to develop the qualities and personalities of the characters in a story.

Imagery

The making of “pictures in words”

Theme

The message in a story