Plot & Story Structure
The beginning of a story that introduces the characters, setting, and conflict.
Exposition
A plot in which events are presented in the order they happened
Linear Plot
The central idea or life lesson of a text.
Theme
A text structure that presents a problem and then provides a solution.
Problem-Solution
An appeal that persuades an audience by establishing credibility, expertise, or trust.
Ethos
The events that build suspense or tension before the climax.
Rising Action
A plot in which events are presented out of chronological order.
Nonlinear Plot
The author’s attitude toward the subject.
Tone
A text structure that explains why something happens and what happens as a result.
Cause-Effect
An appeal that persuades an audience by creating feelings or emotions.
Pathos
The turning point or most intense moment in a story.
Climax
A scene that takes the reader back to an event that happened earlier.
Flashback
The feeling or atmosphere created for the reader.
Mood
A text structure that presents events or information in time order.
Chronological
An appeal that persuades an audience through facts, evidence, statistics, and logical reasoning.
Logos
The events after the climax that begin to resolve the conflict.
Falling Action
A story about a young person who grows, matures, or gains a new understanding of life.
Coming-of-Age
The insight or idea the author wants readers to understand.
Author’s Message
The reason an author writes a text, such as to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain.
Author’s Purpose
A doctor with 25 years of experience explains why a particular treatment is effective. Which rhetorical appeal is being used?
Ethos
The final part of a story where the conflict is resolved.
Resolution
A story begins with the main character as an adult. The story then jumps back to show an important event from the character’s childhood. What two terms describe the structure being used?
Nonlinear Plot and Flashback
A story shows a young athlete losing an important competition. Instead of quitting, she practices every day and eventually succeeds. What theme is best supported by the story?
Perseverance leads to success / Don’t give up when facing challenges.
An article explains that students who get less than seven hours of sleep have more difficulty concentrating in class. It then explains that poor concentration can lead to lower test scores. Which text structure is being used?
Cause-Effect
A speaker tells the audience about a child who lost her home in a hurricane and asks the audience to imagine how frightening it would be to lose everything. Which rhetorical appeal is primarily being used?
Pathos