Breaking Down the Components of a Plot

The Four Parts of a Plot

The Conflict

The main conflict gives the story purpose and drives it to completion. It's helpful for young students to read about problems they can relate to. If the challenges faced by the main character of a story are similar to those the reader faces, the reader will be better able to identify them as problems. It might be hard for a child to recognize the central problems of a struggling painter, but the problems faced by a boy living on a farm in Oklahoma might be easier to understand

Rising Action

The rising action usually appears near the beginning or toward the middle of the book. The character and setting have been established and readers start to learn about the main problem facing the characters. The characters struggle with the problem looking for the best solution. The rise of action usually consists of how the character deals with the problem. It allows the reader to bond with the characters and the story and helps them to identify with the situations.

The Climax

The climax is when the main action has occurred, initiating a turn in action and reaching toward the solution of the primary problem. It is critical for a student to recognize this part of the story because it's the culmination of all the action leading up to it. If a student can't identify the climax of a novel it might mean they haven't fully understood all of the action that has occurred. Quiz your child while they're reading to make sure that they are keeping up with the main plot points. Ask your elementary student which part of the novel they think they are reading. If you notice a critical point has occurred but your child did not put much emphasis on the action, encourage them to reread this part of the novel.

The Resolution

The resolution when all of the lose ends are tied up. The main characters have found the resolution to their problem and have learned or are learning how to deal with the resulting situation. At this point your child should feel satisfied with the story and be able to retell the story to a parent, highlighting the main characters, setting, and the four main components of the story's plot.

http://mathandreadinghelp.org/articles/Elementary_reading%3A_Breaking_down_the_components_of_a_plot.html

Write Your Own Tall Tale ( page 128)

First start planning your Tall Tale. Use the graphic organiser to help you.

Elements of a Story - Setting

The Setting Of A Story

The setting means the time and place that form the background for the story. The settings sometimes play a vital role in the short story where by the setting of the story set the reader’s mode and a good description of the setting will make the reader more eager to keep up and follow the events of the story.

Setting in short story includes:
· place – geographical location. Where is the action of the story taking place?
· time – When is the story taking place? (historical period, time 
of day, year, etc)
· weather conditions – Is it rainy, sunny, stormy, etc?
· social conditions – What is the daily life of the characters like? Does the story contain local color (writing that focuses on the speech, dress, mannerisms, customs, etc. of a particular place)?
· mood or atmosphere – What feeling is created at the beginning of the story? Is it bright and cheerful or dark and frightening?
Points to determine the setting of a story :
reference to the time or date
the names of the characters
description of clothing
reference to events

Knowing the setting of the story can give us a picture of where the story is taking place and when it’s taking place. The setting gives the reader a better sense of the story. It allows them to visualize what is going on and connect with the characters better; the setting should be connected to the theme of the story.

Tips when writing the setting:
In a short story you have a limited number of words to convey your message , you must choose your settings carefully & wisely
Make the reader of the short story able to imagine themselves and put themselves in the characters positions.
Appeal to your reader’s five senses to make your setting more real. Remember to combine setting with characterization and plot of the story.
Use two or more senses in your description of setting

Also here is a mind map that you can use to brain-storm some ideas for the setting of short story:

Relate
d articleshttp://vixstories.wordpress.com/2011/05/11/the-setting-of-short-story/

EXERCISE: Try to create a story that takes place in a specific setting, but DO NOT use the name or time within the story.  Reveal the setting to your readers through your use of details within the story.

Use Pronouns Clearly

In a group, copy the sentences and then correct them.

1. Move the car out of the garage and paint it.



2. After Mary had paid Jane, she looked happy.



3. Since my friends like hotdogs, I often serve them as a snack.



4. Mark visited Sam while he was in town.



5. Take the curtains off the windows and wash them.



6. After Marie left her daughter at camp, she felt sad.



7. Romeo pulled the disk out of the computer and destroyed it.



8. Harold beat Ted when he was not playing well.



9. When the bus reached the station, it was almost empty.



10. James is going to keep the dog in a kennel as soon as he gets one.

Possessive Adjectives

Possessive adjectives a1 from monira21