PLOT TERMS

Question 1

the sequence of events, or the action, of the story (or play) ― should have a conflict which is sufficiently intense to create suspense; events should be important to the development of the conflict; incidents should be in keeping with the nature of the characters

Answer 1

plot

Question 2

Conflict

Answer 2

∙ person vs. person — a conflict between individuals
∙ person vs. self — an internal struggle (often a choice for the protagonist)
∙ person vs. nature — a person struggles against natural forces
∙ person vs. society — a person struggles against the momentum of social forces (the demands of a group) and not just one person
∙ person vs. technology
∙ person vs. the unknown

Question 3

an event or occurrence which causes the action to begin

Answer 3

Inciting Incident

Question 4

the part of the story when the conflict is established, action occurs and complications/crises arise

Answer 4

Rising Action

Question 5

the point or event in the story where the protagonist’s choices go well or poorly and the conflict turns, finally, for or against the main character

Answer 5

Turning Point

Question 6

the point of highest reader interest or emotion; all events lead to this point; the conflict is brought to an end ― may coincide with the turning point

Answer 6

Climax

Question 7

the “falling action” ― the events which follow the turning point and bring the story to its conclusion

Answer 7

Dénouement

Question 8

a clue given earlier in the story which hints at something that will happen later in the story ― it may create interest or suspense, or it may make the ending more plausible

Answer 8

Foreshadowing

Question 9

the insertion of an earlier event into the time order of a story (i.e., a scene from the past which interrupts a narrative in the present) ― provides background information

Answer 9

Flashback