Exposition and Fiction Signposts

Most stories follow the plot map formula. This helps us understand what kind of information we get about the story and the plot.

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Protagonist-the main character of the story. There can be multiple protagonists.
Antagonist-refers to the source of the problem
Round/Dynamic- well known characters who change during the story.
Flat/Static-lesser known characters who don't change at all.

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Characters

Setting refers to when and where the story takes place.
You also need to know what's happening in the setting's society, and if it affects the characters.

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Setting

A character acts differently than what we expect or differently than what they had before.

Contrast and Contradictions

A character realizes something important.
This realization usually helps solve the problem or teaches us more about the characters.

Ah-ha moment

A flashback, or a memory a character recalls can help us understand character motivations or other important information for the story.

Memory Moment

When a character gets advice from an older, smarter, or more experienced character. This can help solve the problem or a character's struggles.

Words of the Wiser

A difficult choice or decision a character faces is a tough question.
This helps characters grow and problems to be dealt with.

Tough Questions

A phrase, symbol, or event happens repeatedly in a story.

This might give a clue about a theme or problem in the story.

Again and Again