plot Flashcards
action
events recounted in a fictional work (only listing)
plot
way in which author sequences and paces events as to shape response and interpretation (making it more meaningful); does not have to be chronological
foreshadowing
author giving reader subtle clues or hints about events happening later
subplot
plot that receives significantly less time and attention than another one
pace
author can decide how much time and attention an event gets (ties with point: storytelling doesn’t have to be chronologically)
pacing
duration of particular episodes
discriminated occasion
author slowing down to home in on a particular moment and scene (f.e. “Later that evening”)
discriminated occasion
author slowing down to home in on a particular moment and scene (f.e. “Later that evening”)
conflicts
some sort of struggle and its resolution, may be external or internal; can be both
external conflicts
between characters and something or someone outside themselves
internal conflicts
character struggles to reconcile two competing desires, needs, duties, or two parts or aspects of himself
five parts of the plot
exposition, rising action, climax/turning point, falling action, conclusion or resolution
exposition
- introduces characters, situation, time and place, gives
basic background information - usually reveals some source of potential conflict of
which the characters may be as yet unaware
rising action
→inciting incident
- action that destabilises the initial situation and incites
open conflict - complication keeps the action rising
- event that introduces a new conflict or intensifies an
existing one
- event that introduces a new conflict or intensifies an
climax/turning point
- moment of greatest intensity
- moment where the outcome of the plot and the fate of
the characters are decided - turning point involves a discovery or new insight →
often involve internal or psychological events → lead
to and are prompted by external action - crisis = precedes and precipitates climax
falling action
- release of emotional tension and moves us towards
the resolution of the conflicts - in some stories: resolution is achieved through an
unexpected twist (deus ex machina)
conclusion or resolution
- new and somewhat stable situation
- sense of closure → conflicts have been resolved
- some works may have an epilogue
different plot types
many works follow patterns derived from the two subgenres of drama - tragedy and comedy
tragic plots
trace downward movement centering on a characters fall from fortune into misfortune and isolation → often end unhappily or with death
comedic plots
tend to end happily, often with marriage/some other act of social integration and celebration
