V4 - Plot Structure & Theme

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

Plot Structure & Theme

At the end of this lesson you can:

1. Describe the characteristics of different plot elements 

2. Demonstrate an understanding of plot structure by applying it to a familiar short story

3. Use a plot diagram to analyse the plot structure of a story

4. Identify the theme in familiar contexts

Why is it 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. 

Some literary terms you are familiar with

Foreshadowing                Setting                 Characterisation

Dramatic Irony                     Point of View

Outline

1. Theme

2. Plot Structure

3. Apply new knowledge to a familiar story

4. Review

Definition from Glossary. Mind: for now it is okay if you can describe a theme in 1 word but you should be able to explain your answer.

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

= a literary term used to describe 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 of events 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

Back to plot structure

This literary term consists of 6 smaller parts: exposition, inciting incident, rising action, climax, falling action and 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

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: Apply Plot Structure and theme

You will need the following:

1. Death by Scrabble text (= on Teams - copy paste the link)

Work in pairs

Be ready to present your plot structure (diagram) at the end of this class.