Brentwood Union Free School District

Summer Reading 2016

Understanding Plot, Conflict, and Character

For Students Entering Grades 6-8 ONLY

Overview:

The order of events (beginning, middle, and end) in a story is known as plot. If plot is weak, the best ideas will not hold together in the story and the story will be unsatisfying to readers. A strong plot with interesting characters engages the imagination of readers and keeps their interest. Likewise, conflict is essential to every story. As the lead characters find themselves in conflict, the story is propelled forward. Stories without conflict would be quite boring. In fact, conflict gives rise to action, suspense, and drama. In the typical plot the lead characters are faced with problems they try to solve. As they try to solve the problems, lead characters may encounter complications (or setbacks) that worsen conflicts. Historical novels comprise a large category of fiction. In most historical novels, the plot is set in the past and characters are living at a time of great conflict. The setting (time, place, and atmosphere) becomes the foundation for the plot and the background for the action. Consequently, the characters not only are affected by the historical events, but may themselves influence the outcomes of the events.

Summer Assignment:

Focus your attention on the plot by tracing the conflict experienced by the lead characters in the text you are reading. SelectFIVE SCENES in which conflict plays a major part in the book, then answer the questions belowON A SEPARATE SHEET OF PAPER for EACH scene.

  • Describe the scene you have selected: (include the characters who are involved and the page numbers)
  • Who or what, is the conflict between?
  • How does the conflict arise? Explain.
  • How does the conflict end? Explain.
  • What effect does the conflict have on the characters in this scene? Explain.
  • What do you learn about the characters in this scene?

*When you return in September you will meet with other students in your class and discuss how the events of the story affected the protagonist; therefore, as you read the novel, consider what the protagonist was like at the beginning of the novel, the middle of the novel, and the end of the novel. How do the unfolding events of the plot change the protagonist, if at all?