A story’s plot is the order of events in the story. Every plot centers on a conflict that the characters face. There are two main types of conflict. In an external conflict, a character struggles against an outside force, such as another person or a storm. In an internal conflict, a character struggles with his or her feelings.

A story must have conflict

Plot happens in stages

- Exposition: The writer introduces the characters, setting, and situation.

• Rising Action: The writer introduces the conflict and the events that explain the characters’ actions.

• Climax: The conflict reaches its most intense or exciting point.

• Falling Action: After the climax, events “calm down.”

• Resolution: The plot reaches the ending. Usually, the conflict is settled.

DIRECTIONS: Read the story summary below, noting the numbered stages. Then, answer the

questions that follow.

(1) Readers meet Shelby and Taylor, who are friends walking home from school. They decide to stop at a drugstore. (2) A little later in the story, Shelby steals a tube of lipstick from a drugstore. Taylor is upset and tells Shelby to go back and pay for it, but Shelby just shrugs. But then, Shelby dares Taylor to take something from the drugstore. Taylor is torn between doing the right thing and proving to her friend that she is fearless. (3) Finally, Taylor tries to steal a bottle of nail

polish, but she is stopped at the door by the store manager. (4) While the manager scolds Taylor and warns her that the next time she will call the police, Shelby sneaks away. (5) The next day, Shelby apologizes to Taylor for getting her in trouble and leaving her to face the manager alone. Shelby and Taylor decide they have learned their lesson. They agree to never steal anything again.