Reading 1.1. Plot Structure Seventh Grade by Gary Soto

Transcription

1 Reading 1.1 Plot Structure Seventh Grade by Gary Soto

2 What drives a story? Setting The time and place of the action Characters Plot The people, animals, or imaginary creatures that take part in a story Their behavior affects what happens The series of events in a story Usually centers on a conflict

3 Conflict Conflict can be external or internal External conflict A struggle between a character and an outside force This force could be another character, a group of characters, or nature Internal Conflict A struggle within a character s mind Happens when a character must deal with opposing thoughts or feelings

4 Plot A plot is what happens in a story and usually develops in five stages: Exposition Rising Action Climax Falling action Resolution (or denouement) When asked what the plot of a story is, you should be able to give a sentence description AND analyze it using the five stages

5 Seventh Grade by Gary Soto What is the plot of Seventh Grade? Who is the main character? Victor, a Chicano boy Is his conflict external or internal? Internal: with himself What does s/he want? For Theresa to notice him Where and when does this occur? Fresno, California The first day of school How does it end? She notices him Or Seventh Grade is about a Chicano schoolboy in Fresno who likes a girl and wants her to notice him.

6 Exposition Introduces the characters Introduces the setting Sets up or hints at the conflict

7 Exposition of Seventh Grade Read pg. 1, lines 1-14 An exposition introduces the characters Who are the characters introduced in those lines? Victor and Teresa An exposition introduces the setting Where does this story take place? In school In Fresno When does this story take place? On the first day of school

8 Exposition of Seventh Grade (cont.) An exposition hints at a possible conflict Where might conflict arise? Victor s new elective French Victor has a crush on Theresa

9 Rising Action Shows how the conflict becomes more complicated Builds suspense with one character risking something Also, usually the majority of whatever text you are reading

10 Rising Action of Seventh Grade What obstacles are getting in the way of Victor making Theresa his girl? Line 64: Only Theresa lingered [ ] Why might Theresa lingering behind cause difficulty for Victor in his quest? Victor is not taking as many classes with Theresa as he thought Victor ate lunch inside, not where Theresa is

11 Rising Action of Seventh Grade (cont.) Read pg. 11, lines Does tension increase now that Victor and Theresa are in the same class together? Yes! Why? Because he could make a fool of himself Is Victor risking something? Yes! He is risking embarrassment

12 Climax Is the most exciting part of the plot and the turning point Often results in a change for the character Does the character win their conflict? Does the character get what they want?

13 Climax of Seventh Grade Read pg. 12, lines Is this the most exciting part of the story? Well, that s up to you, but it is FINALLY an opportunity for Victor to speak at length with Theresa Does the character win their conflict? Well, sort of. He is talking to her, at least, and not scowling Does the character get what they want? Heck, yes! GO VICTOR!

14 Falling Action Eases suspense Reveals how the main character begins to resolve the conflict

15 Falling Action of Seventh Grade Read pg. 12, line Is the suspense eased? Yes, Mr. Bueller isn t derailing the conversation Yes, Victor isn t in any more danger of making a fool of himself In fact, Oh no, I like being bothered is a pretty smooth line Is it revealed how the main character is getting over the conflict? Well, it seems he isn t having the same problems putting his foot in his mouth

16 Resolution Also called denouement Reveals the outcome of the conflict Sometimes ends with a surprise

17 Resolution of Seventh Grade Is the outcome of the conflict revealed? Yes, Victor is no longer keeping himself from Theresa The two will be spending time together Did the story end with a surprise? Not really, there was no sudden reveal