Students learn definitions for exposition, rising action, conflict, climax, falling action and resolution. Plot elements are illustrated on a poster using selected novel.
The plot of most stories follows a basic format. Sometimes plot is illustrated as an upside down V or as an erupting volcano. In this lesson, students learn the elements of plot and apply the information to novels they are reading.
Create a handout that explains the plot elements. The following are example items for the handout:
Exposition is the beginning of the story. The exposition introduces the setting and characters.
Rising Action includes events leading up to the climax. There are conflicts that arise during these events.
Conflicts are problems or complications. There are many types of conflicts, but the most commons ones are as follows:
Climax is the turning point of the story. It is a high point and is usually somewhere in the middle of the story.
Falling Action includes events after the climax. These events lead to the resolution and start tying up loose ends.
Resolution is the end of the story where all of the loose ends are tied up for the reader.
1. Discuss the handout on the plot elements.
2. Tell students to choose a book that they read recently.
3. Instruct students to make a list of the following on notebook paper with examples from the book that they chose: exposition, rising action, conflicts, climax, falling action and resolution
4. From this list, tell students to make a poster with the following:
5. If students do not finish this in a class period, have students finish it for homework.
6. Assess understanding of plot elements. Criteria to grade posters: