Terms and Definitions
Examples
Plot ………………………………………………... Slide 3
Plot Diagram …………………………….... Slide 4
Setting ………………………………….............. Slides 5-6
Characterization ……………………………. Slides 7-9
Theme …………………………………………... Slides 10-11
Symbolism …………………………………..... Slides 12-13
Conflict …………………………………………. Slides 14-15

Plot is a series of events within a story. While the
plots of stories differ from one book to another,
there are several sections within a plot that are
generally present in all stories:






Exposition
Rising Action
Climax
Falling Action
Resolution
Collectively, these sections of plot make up the
Plot Diagram.
CLIMAX – The turning point of the story
where the conflict between the protagonist
and antagonist is about to be resolved
RISING ACTION – The
significant events in the story
which develop the conflict and
lead up to the story’s climax.
EXPOSITION – The background
information (setting, protagonist and
other main characters, conflict)
introduced in the beginning of the story.
FALLING ACTION – The conflict
between the protagonist and
antagonist nears resolution as
the protagonist either wins or
loses in the battle against the
antagonist.
RESOLUTION – With the conflict
resolved and all loose ends tied up,
the story can have its happy, or tragic,
ending.

Setting is the time and place in which the events
of a story occur.

Setting can either be detailed and descriptive
OR
Setting can be barely mentioned

Setting can have an impact on the story’s plot
OR
Setting can be unimportant
In the movie Castaway, with Tom Hanks, the setting
(deserted island) greatly impacts the movie’s plot
because it actually acts as the antagonist to Hanks’
protagonist (preventing him from going home).



Characterization is the methods used by an author to
acquaint the reader with a character in the story.
In order to accurately characterize a character, the
reader must provide TWO BEHAVIORAL
characteristics (adjectives which describe a
character’s personality/behavior) and support those
characteristics with specific evidence from the text.
Readers should use a character’s thoughts, feelings,
actions and comments, as well as other characters’
interactions with him or her, in order to characterize.
Example:
In Castaway, Chuck Noland seems passionate
about his love for Kelly Frears. Even after being
stranded on the deserted island for 1,500 days,
he demonstrates his unflagging (tireless) love
for Kelly by writing a message of love on a rock
before attempting to escape by raft.


Theme is the underlying meaning of a story. In
many stories, themes are life lessons or morals,
often realized in some way by the protagonist,
and by extension, the reader.
To identify a story’s theme, readers may want to
ask themselves, “What lesson does the
protagonist learn by the end of the story?”

In Castaway, Chuck Noland (Tom Hanks) battles
with himself and the deserted island for survival.
His love for Kelly Frears and his hope of reuniting
with her is what keeps him alive. Chuck even
says that Kelly “kept me alive”. Therefore, one
possible theme could be that love is a powerful
emotion and, to quote John Lennon, “All you need
is love.”

Symbolism is the analysis of a concrete object to
determine its abstract meaning within a story.


A concrete object is something that is tangible (able to
be felt or touched) and/or has definite a shape or
appearance. (Example: American Flag)
An abstract concept is not tangible and therefore
cannot be easily pictured, drawn, or pointed at. It is a
feeling or idea of some kind. (Example: Freedom)

In Castaway, Chuck Noland saves a FedEx
package with a picture of “wings” on it and then
eventually draws these “wings” on his sail as he
attempts to escape the island and go home.
These “wings” are a symbol of his home,
Memphis, Tennessee. Therefore, these “wings”
represent his home and his desire to return.


Conflict is a struggle between opposing forces within a
story, which is usually resolved by the end.
There are 5 types of conflict:





Person vs. Self ----------- Internal Conflict
Person vs. Person
Person vs. Society
External Conflict
Person vs. Nature
Person vs. Fate
* Every story has multiple conflicts, but there is also one Central
Conflict pitting the protagonist against the antagonist.

In Castaway, the Central Conflict is Person vs.
Nature, as Chuck Noland (protagonist) is
stranded on a deserted island (antagonist). He
spends nearly the entire movie (or story plot)
battling the island for survival, and eventual
escape.