Plot Elements
This part of the story introduces the characters, setting, and background.
What is the exposition?
A struggle between a character and another person, nature, or force is this type of conflict.
What is an external conflict?
Who tells the story of “Charles”?
Who is Laurie's mother?
This word means to give up or reject.
What is renounced?
The first part of a plot diagram is called this.
What is the exposition?
This is where the story’s problem or main conflict begins.
What is the inciting incident?
When a character struggles with feelings, decisions, or fears inside themselves.
What is an internal conflict?
What is the setting of “Charles”?
What is Laurie's home and kindergarten classroom?
This word means loud and unpleasant.
What is raucous?
The part that shows the events leading up to the climax.
What is the rising action?
These are the events that build up the story’s tension before the climax.
What is the rising action?
Maya wants to tell the truth about breaking her mom’s favorite vase, but she’s scared she’ll get in trouble. She struggles with whether to confess or lie.
What is character vs. self?
What bad things does Charles do at school? Name one.
What is he hits the teacher, yells, or makes other kids laugh?
This word means not cheerful or smiling.
What is solemnly?
In “Charles,” the exposition includes these two things.
What are Laurie starting school and telling his parents about Charles?
The highest point of tension or the turning point in the story.
What is the climax?
Two best friends argue after one of them spreads a secret. They stop talking and both want the other to apologize first.
What is character vs. character?
What is the main conflict in the story?
What is Laurie lying about a boy named Charles?
This word means looking exhausted or unwell.
What is haggard?
In “Charles,” the climax happens when this is revealed.
What is there is no Charles in the class?
This part of the story shows what happens after the climax and leads to the end.
What is the falling action?
A boy speaks out against an unfair school rule that says only certain students can be on the student council.
What is the climax of the story?
What is when Laurie’s mom learns there is no Charles in the class?
The falling action shows this.
What is Laurie’s mom realizing her son made Charles up?