Plot Showdown

Definition: introduces the characters and describes the setting and problem in the story

“There was once a little red hen who lived in a barnyard.”

- The Little Red Hen

“... the third little pig lived happily ever after.” - The Three Little Pigs

“‘Oh, they’re great’ said the little pig; ‘Here, I will throw you one.’ And the little pig threw it so far that, while the wolf ran to pick it up, the little pig jumped from the tree and ran home.”

- The Three Little Pigs

The little red hen asked the barnyard animals if they wanted to eat some of the bread.

- The Little Red Hen

Definition: the most intense part of the story

At the beginning of the story, the reader learns about the two little pigs who got eaten by the wolf.

“But the little red hen looked at each one of them, smirked, and said, ‘No, I will eat it by myself.’”

- The Little Red Hen

“All the barnyard animals were perched, eyeing the bread hungrily and smacking their lips.”

- The Little Red Hen

Definition: the start of the story; may describe the situation before the story begins

Definition: the problem in the story gets more complicated

“Out of habit, the little red hen asked, ‘Who will help me eat this bread?’ Immediately, the pig,

the cat, and the rat all shouted, 'I will!’” - The Little Red Hen

Also known as the denouement (day-noo-MON)

“Once upon a time there were three little pigs, and they all lived side-by-side on Piggly Lane.”

-The Three Little Pigs

“She lathered up a piece of the bread with butter, smiled triumphantly, and she did just that.” - The Little Red Hen

“Just as the wolf was coming down, the little pig took off the cover of the pot, and the wolf fell straight in.”

- The Three Little Pigs

The little red hen enjoys the homemade bread all by herself!

Definition: events that lead to the resolution or ending of the story

This plot structure element is the

peak of a plot pyramid.

The last element of plot structure.

“He was on his way home with it when he saw the wolf coming. He didn’t know where to hide, so he jumped in the butter churn, accidentally knocking it on its side. It began to roll, and rolled down the hill with the pig inside it, knocking the wolf off the path to town.” - The Three Little Pigs

Definition: a series of incidents that build suspense and interest in the plot

Definition: the turning point in the story

Definition: follows the climax of the story; the main conflict is resolved

“So when the wolf came, he huffed and he puffed, and he huffed and he puffed, and he puffed and he huffed; but he could not blow the house down.” - The Three Little Pigs

This plot structure element is also

known as the introduction.

Definition: the conclusion of the story’s plot

The little pig boils the wolf in his pot.