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Elements of
Literature
Student Notes
Plot
(definition)
• Plot is the organized
pattern or sequence
of events that make
up a story. Every
plot is made up of a
series of incidents
that are related to
one another.
Plot Diagram
3
2
1
4
5
1. Exposition
• This usually occurs at the beginning of a short
story. Here the characters are introduced. We also
learn about the setting of the story. Most
importantly, we are introduced to the main conflict
(main problem).
Exposition
• When Cinderella was very young, she had a happy life.
Then, one day, her mother died. Soon after, Cinderella’s
father married a woman who had two daughters of her
own. Cinderella’s stepmother and stepsisters were not
very kind. The Stepmother gave her daughters fancy
dresses and wonderful toys. She gave Cinderella
nothing.
• Cinderella’s father dies and leaves her at the mercy of
her stepmother and stepsisters. They are cruel to her and
treat her as if she were their servant. Despite all of this,
Cinderella remains hopeful and is always pleasant.
2. Rising Action
• This part of the story begins to
develop the conflict(s). A building
of interest or suspense occurs.
Rising Action
• One day a letter arrives, inviting all young maidens
in the land to attend a ball at the prince’s castle.
Cinderella wants to attend the ball, but her cruel
stepmother and stepsisters try to prevent her from
going and meeting the prince.
• With the help of her fairy godmother, Cinderella
attends the ball and meets the prince. They fall
madly in love. Cinderella flees the castle at
midnight, because the spell the fairy godmother
placed on her is over. She returns to her rags, but
one of her glass slippers fell off as she ran from the
castle. The prince finds the slipper and vows to
marry the girl whom the slipper fits.
3. Climax
• This is the turning point of the story.
Usually the main character comes face
to face with a conflict. The main
character will change in some way.
Climax
• The prince arrives at Cinderella’s house. The
stepsisters try on the slipper and it does not fit.
As the prince prepares to leave, Cinderella
asks the prince if she would be able to try on
the slipper. The prince slips the slipper onto
Cinderella’s foot…and….
it fits!
4. Falling Action
• All loose ends
of the plot are
tied up. The
conflict(s) and
climax are
taken care of.
Falling Action
• Cinderella and the
prince are married and
they move to the castle.
Despite being treated
like a servant and
enduring many
hardships, Cinderella
forgives her stepmother
and stepsisters and
invites them to live at
the castle.
5. Resolution
• The story
comes to a
reasonable
ending.
Resolution
THE END
Putting It All Together
1. Exposition
2. Rising Action
Beginning of
Story
Middle of Story
3. Climax
4. Falling Action
5. Resolution
End of Story
Conflict
• Conflict is the dramatic struggle
between two forces in a story.
• Without conflict, there is no plot.
Conflict…
• Engages reader
• Builds suspense
• Arouses expectations for events
to follow
Internal Conflict
character
vs. self
Types of Conflict
• character
vs.
character
(external)
Types of Conflict
character
vs.
nature
(external)
Types of Conflict
character
vs.
supernatural
(external)
Other External Conflicts
• Character vs. fate
• Character vs. society
• Character vs. technology/machine
LITERARY TECHNIQUES USED TO CREATE INTEREST
• Suspense is a
feeling of
uncertainty about
the outcome of
events. Writers
create suspense
by raising
questions in the
minds of the
readers.
LITERARY TECHNIQUES USED TO CREATE INTEREST
• Foreshadowing
occurs when the
writer uses clues that
lead the reader to
predict what will
happen later
LITERARY TECHNIQUES USED TO CREATE INTEREST
• Flashback is a
strategy where the
author takes the
reader back to events
that occurred before
the present time of
the story.
LITERARY TECHNIQUES USED TO CREATE INTEREST
• Irony is the contrast between what is
expected or what appears to be and what
actually is. There are three types of irony.
Dramatic Irony
• Dramatic Irony occurs
when the reader or viewer
knows something a
character does not.
Situation Irony
• Irony of situation or
situation irony
occurs when an event
happens that directly
contradicts the
expectations of the
characters, readers,
or audience.
Verbal Irony
• Verbal irony occurs when words are used
that suggest the opposite of what is
meant. Sarcasm is a common form of
verbal irony.
Example: The simple comment, "Oh Great"
after something rotten happens is verbal
irony.
Sarcasm 101