Unit 1Short Story

Plot

Plot Pyramid Terms• Exposition• Inciting Incident• Rising Action• Climax• Falling Action• Resolution• Denouement

Exposition• Sets up the setting • Description and background (of

characters, place, time, etc.)–Where? Who? When?

Inciting Incident• Single action that begins the conflict

or action

Rising Action• Excitement builds, leads to climax

Climax • Greatest moment of tension,

excitement• Turning point of the story

Falling Action• Action after the climax to the end,

often moves quickly

Resolution• Main problem solved

Denouement • Conclusion: remaining questions

answered, mysteries solved (French for “untie”)

The Plot Pyramid

The Plot Pyramid in “Cinderella”

Exposition

Exposition• France• 1700’s, Cinderella, Stepmother, Step

sisters, dead mother, father died leaving Cinderella in the care of her wicked step mother who has forced her to become a servant in her own home.

Inciting Incident

Inciting Incident• Whole family is invited to Royal Ball• Cinderella’s animal kingdom friends

make her a custom dress• Her stepsisters ruin it and force her

to stay home

Rising Action

Rising Action• Fairy Godmother appears, gives

Cinderella a new dress and a carriage

• Curfew set at 12am• Cinderella goes to the ball• She meets the prince• They fall in love

Climax

Climax• Midnight Strikes!• Cinderella runs and leaves behind

her tiny glass slipper

Falling Action

Falling Action• Step mother finds out about

Cinderella going to the ball• Cinderella is locked up• Prince searches the kingdom• Step Sisters claim the slipper is

theirs• All Steps deny anyone else is in the

house• Cinderella gets out (with help from

her furry friends)

Resolution

Resolution• The slipper fits!

Denouement

Denouement• Cinderella’s identity is established• The Steps are exposed as the fiends

they are• Cinderella lives happily ever after