Intro into 8th Grade ELALITERARY ELEMENTS & PLOT DIAGRAM

Exposition:

The introduction introduces the

characters, describes the setting and establishes

the problem in the story.

Rising Action:

is where the suspense builds and the problem gets worse and becomes more complicated. There are often multiple steps or parts in the rising action.

Climax:

is the turning point in the story. It is usually the most exciting part in the story and the part that makes the reader want to keep reading

Falling Action:

is the events that happen after the climax that lead to a resolution or ending to the story.

Resolution:

is the outcome of the story. It is how things end up or turn out for the characters.

Internal Conflict:

struggle within the mind of a character, the resolution of which creates the plot's suspense

External Conflict:

struggle between a character and an outside force such as nature or another character. Example: Man vs. Nature, Man vs.

Man

Point of View:

Who the author is and what information they give us

Setting:

Where AND when the story takes place

Direct Characterization:

when the author specifically reveals traits about the character in a direct, straightforward mannerExample: Karen is bright,

energetic, and helpful.

Indirect Characterization:

when authors indirectly portray characters using dialogue, appearance, actions, relationships, and overall place in the world

Example: Gabe helps his mom with dinner after school, each day. After dinner, he takes out the trash, helps his sister with her homework, and reads to his grandmother.

Theme

: The central idea or lessons about the story (a moral)