Plot
(p. 103-131)
Lukens
Plot
is the sequence of events showing characters in action.
The plot should produce conflict,
tension and action.
Narrative order is the order
in which events are related. Conflict occurs
when the protagonist
struggles against an antagonist (opposing force).
A story may involve a combination of conflicts.
Conflict of any kind grows out of character. Suspense, the emotional pull that keeps us wanting to read on,
involves us
in conflict up to the climax in the final pages.
Dropping clues about the outcome without destroying suspense is called foreshadowing.
Unrelieved suspense is called sensationalism.
The climax is the peak and
turning point of the conflict, the point at which we know the outcome of the
action. The denouement
begins at the climax, at the point where we feel that the protagonist's fate
is known. From here the action of
the plot is also called the falling
action.
Is
this story in chronological order of
events?
Which
kind of conflict applies to this story?
person-against-self
(internal conflict of feelings)
person-against-person
(Peter vs. Ms. McGregor)
person-against-society
(Wilbur vs. farming)
person-against-nature
(Julie of the Wolves)
What
are some examples of suspense?
Are
there examples of foreshadowing?
Are
there examples of inevitability (it
had to be)?
What
are some examples of coincidence?
Are
there flashbacks?
What
is the pattern of action?
-one
incident to another related incident
building
on discoveries, ends at final
climax
that brings action to a peak
-rises
to peak and then clearly concludes
rising
action/exposition complications
begin
soon
Is
this book a cliff-hanger?
Are
there examples of sensationalism?
What
type of plot is evidenced in this book?
-progressive-central
climax followed quickly
by
denouement (Charlotte’s Web)
-episodic-one
incident or short episode is linked
to
another by common characters or by a unified
theme
(Winnie-the-Pooh)
Is
there evidence of sentimentality
(tear-jerker)?