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?