H4 - Setting, Theme, Conflict, Plot Structure

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

Elements of Fiction

Deze termen moet je kunnen herkennen, uitleggen en toepassen in je literatuurdossier (films, boeken, korte verhalen). Houd de uitleg/oefeningen hiervan bij in een schrift!

• Setting
• Plot structure
• Theme
• Characters
• Types of Conflict

At the end of this lesson you can...

1. describe what the setting of a story is

2. use a plot diagram to analyse the plot structure of a story

3. list and explain the 6 types of conflict

Setting

Setting = Time and place

Examples?

The setting affects the mood/atmosphere in a story.

Why is the plot structure important?

Plot structure is not just used in literature, but also in storytelling, television and film.

Once you know plot structure, you can automatically organise something abstract into something that is concrete and makes sense. 

Take a look at these words

Love          Friendship              Revenge

Greed               Death                Equality                       Hope

Guilt                     Responsibility                      Justice

Topic

... is generally 1 word that outlines the main idea being explored in a text 

Examples: love, revenge, family, nature, war

Theme

... is the moral lesson that the author wants the reader to learn. Usually 1 sentence.

Topic

Fear of death

Love

Friendship

Theme

the fear of death can be a catalyst of change

People will often sacrifice anything for those they love

Friendship can often get people through even the hardest of times

Plot Structure

= all the events that make up (the main part of) a story.

All events relate to each other in a sort of pattern and this organisation has an effect on how the reader feels about the story or its characters. 

Before we continue, we need to revise "setting"...

What is the setting in a story?

1. A lesson being taught
2. When and where the story occurs
3. The events happening in the story
4. How the characters are described

Which of the following is an example of setting? (more than 1 answer possible)

1. A fight
2. A high school in 1987
3. Blue jacket
4. March

True or false: the setting can affect the character's mood in a story.

1. True
2. False

Types of Conflict

External Conflict

Internal Conflict

Types of Conflict

External Conflict

• Person against Nature
• Person against Supernatural
• Person against Society
• Person against Person
• Person against Technology

Internal Conflict

• Person against Self

What is an example of a Person against Nature Conflict?

1. Surviving a hurricane
2. Getting abducted by aliens
3. Having a fight with a friend
4. Getting stuck on a hill after a tsunami

Types of Conflict

External Conflict

• Person against Nature
• Person against Supernatural
• Person against Society
• Person against Person
• Person against Technology

Internal Conflict

• Person against Self

Back to plot structure

The plot structure consists of 6 smaller parts: 

1. exposition

2. inciting incident

3. rising action

4. climax

5. falling action

6. resolution.

01:40

What is plot?

1. All events in a story
2. The most important event in the story
3. A series of events with conflict
4. Where the story takes place

03:13

So, what does the exposition do?

1. It sets the scene and story
2. It introduces the conflict

03:14

Why is the line in Freytag's pyramid flat in the exposition?

05:28

What is the definition of climax?

1. The turning point of a story
2. The beginning of the story
3. The most exciting part of the story
4. The point when the conflict is resolved

Interest and suspense are built during which part of the story?

1. Exposition
2. Inciting Incident
3. Climax
4. Rising action

Assignment: "The Breakaway"

1. Close your iPad

2. Together: read the short story: The Breakaway

3. I will collect the stories after the lesson, 

please don't write on them or fold them

Assignment: "The Breakaway"

In your notebook, draw a pyramid and identify the plot structure for The Breakaway. 

- Include these in your pyramid: 

Exposition

Inciting Incident

Rising Action

Climax

Falling Action

Resolution

- Tip: start with the Climax! 

Review: whiteboard

In your notebook, draw a pyramid and identify the plot structure for The Breakaway. 

- Include these in your pyramid: 

Exposition

Inciting Incident

Rising Action

Climax

Falling Action

Resolution

- Tip: start with the Climax!