The Plot Chart
Define exposition
The beginning part of the story
person vs person
individual vs another individual
round character
fully developed character; we see many different sides to them
Setting
time of the story (year/hour), the place of the story (city, country, continent), the circumstances of that time and place
Give examples of personification in "Totem"
grunting, chuckling...
Define rising action
This tells how the conflict builds and becomes complicated. Leads to the climax
person vs nature
individual vs the battle against the force of nature
static character
a character who does not change throughout the story
Forshadowing
The author drops hints about what is going to happen in the story
Determine what credentials mean from "Bridging"
qualifications
Define resolution
Ties up the story and the final solution to the conflict
person vs supernatural
individual vs surreal/out of this world forces
dynamic character
a character who changes through the course of the story due to conflict
Contrast
Placing two different people, objects, ideas, or feelings close together, or side by side
Determine the relationship between father/daughter in "Bridging"
turbulent, disconnected, and unhealthy
Define falling action
Happens after the climax to bring about the final resolution
person vs self
individual vs the struggle with one's sense of self
Define antagonist and protagonist
protagonist: the major/main character
antagonist: the person who has conflict with the main character
Symbolism
A person, object, or act that stands for something else or suggests something with greater or deeper meaning
An example of symbolism is "White Places"
the "unwanted" dolls in relation to Charlotte
Define climax
The high point of the story. The most intense, exciting, or important point of the story
Determine conflict in 'Kid in a Bin'
Anthony anxiety and fear of the sun, because his mother passed away from skin cancer
Determine 3 major ways of revealing character
- Direct comments made by the author
- through thoughts/words/actions of the character themselves
- through thoughts/words/actions/reactions of other characters
Theme
The universal truth about life that applies to us
what the author is trying to tell or teach us
the message in the story
Determine the different point of views
1st person: the person telling the story 'I'
Third person: person telling the story (narrator) is standing outside of the story watching it happen
- Omniscient
- limited Omniscient
- Objective