Plot Plot • Plot is the arrangement of events that tell a story. • The "why" for the things that happen in the story. Plot • It draws the reader into the character's lives • Helps the reader understand the choices that the characters make. Plot • Most plots have the following parts: – Exposition: The situation is set up and background is provided. – Conflict: A struggle between two opposing forces. – Rising action: Events build toward the high point or climax. – Climax: The turning point at which it becomes clear how the conflict will turn out. – Falling Action: The events that follow the climax. – Resolution: The conflict is resolved, the final outcome is achieved. Plot Chart CLIMAX Rising Action EXPOSITION Falling Action RESOLUTION Do you know Dr. Seuss? • Famous for writing silly stories that rhyme. • He invents new words, has funnylooking characters and strange places! How the Grinch Stole Christmas A book by Dr. Seuss This is Whoville. Whoville is a happy town. These are the Whos. The Whos live in Whoville. They are happy people. Tomorrow is Christmas. The Whos love Christmas! They love Christmas trees and presents. They love candy canes, Christmas cards, cookies , and stockings too! This is the Grinch. The Grinch is not a happy Who. His heart is too small! He hates Whoville, other Whos, and most of all, He HATES Christmas!!! This year the Grinch has a terrible idea – he wants to STOP Christmas from coming! No candy, no presents, no cookies no trees or stockings. No Christmas! But what will he do? How can the Grinch stop Christmas from coming? Then, the mean old Grinch got a clever idea. He’ll dress up like Santa, sneak into Whoville and steal Christmas from the Whos. So he sneaks into Whoville, while they’re all sound asleep, dreaming of Christmas and presents and treats. He steals their presents, their toys, their stockings and wreaths! He steals their cookies, their turkey and even their trees! He puts it all in a bag and onto his sleigh. The Grinch left the Who’s with nothing for Christmas Day. He waits for the morning, to hear crying and shouts. To see sad Who faces; Christmas will be cancelled, no doubt. But the Grinch hears no crying, sees no sad faces, no tears. He hears laughter and music. Whoville is filled with cheers. The Whos are still happy without stockings and candy and cookies and wreaths. They’re happy without turkey and presents and even their trees! This makes the Grinch change. He feels sorry for taking Christmas. He learned that Christmas wasn’t about toys, or presents or decorations. Christmas was about being with family and friends, and being kind and to one another. Suddenly, the Grinch’s heart grew 3 sizes that day! He speeds down the mountain with all of their things, to give the Who’s their presents. He even joins them and sings! The Grinch becomes the Whos’ friend, and joins in the feast. Merry Christmas to all! Says the Grinch, as he cuts the roast beast. The End This is Whoville. Whoville is a happy town. EXPOSITION Where? These are the Whos. The Whos live in Whoville. They are happy people. EXPOSITION Who? Tomorrow is Christmas. The Whos love Christmas! They love Christmas trees and presents. They love candy canes, Christmas cards, cookies , and stockings too! EXPOSITION Characteristics? This is the Grinch. The Grinch is not a happy Who. His heart is too small! He hates Whoville, other Whos, and most of all, He HATES Christmas!!! EXPOSITION Conflict/problem? This year the Grinch has a terrible idea – he wants to STOP Christmas from coming! No candy, no presents, no cookies no trees or stockings. No Christmas! RISING ACTION But what will he do? How can the Grinch stop Christmas from coming? Then, the mean old Grinch got a clever idea. He’ll dress up like Santa, sneak into Whoville and steal Christmas from the Whos. RISING ACTION So he sneaks into Whoville, while they’re all sound asleep, dreaming of Christmas and presents and treats. RISING ACTION He steals their presents, their toys, their stockings and wreaths! He steals their cookies, their turkey and even their trees! RISING ACTION He puts it all in a bag and onto his sleigh. The Grinch left the Who’s with nothing for Christmas Day. RISING ACTION He waits for the morning, to hear crying and shouts. To see sad Who faces; Christmas will be cancelled, no doubt. RISING ACTION But the Grinch hears no crying, sees no sad faces, no tears. He hears laughter and music. Whoville is filled with cheers. RISING ACTION The Whos are still happy without stockings and candy and cookies and wreaths. They’re happy without turkey and presents and even their trees! RISING ACTION This makes the Grinch change. He feels sorry for taking Christmas. CLIMAX Change/turn? He learned that Christmas wasn’t about toys, or presents or decorations. Christmas was about being with family and friends, and being kind and to one another. CLIMAX Change/turn? Suddenly, the Grinch’s heart grew 3 sizes that day! He speeds down the mountain with all of their things, to give the Who’s their presents. He even joins them and sings! FALLING ACTION Final scenes? The Grinch becomes the Whos’ friend, and joins in the feast. Merry Christmas to all! Says the Grinch, as he cuts the roast beast. RESOLUTION Conflict solved? The End FALLING ACTION Elements of Plot • Eases suspense. • Reveals how the main character begins solving the conflict. RISING ACTION • Shows how the conflict unfolds and becomes more complicated. • Builds suspense. • Is the most exciting moment and the turning point of the story. • Often results in a change for the main character. CLIMAX EXPOSITION • Introduces the settings (Time and Place) and characters. • Sets up or hints at the conflict. RESOLUTION • Ties up any loose ends. • Sometimes offers an unexpected twist before the story ends. •Problem solved?
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