Plot, Pacing, and Point of view
This is another lesson packed with information. Get ready, this is going to make your brain feel extremely full!
Pacing
We will start here because this is the easiest topic with the least amount of terms.
There are two kinds of pacing that will be discussed this lesson. There is a fast pace and a slow pace. Authors can change up the pace based on how they want the readers to interact with and interpret the text. When it comes to a slow pace, think of the author putting events into slow motion or making the reader feel the drawn out summer day. Below is an example from the novel. Notice the long sentences and added description. Writers can use fast pace for a chase scene, when someone is nervous in front of a crowd, or when the character is desperate. The fast paced example below has quick sentences and little description.
The following is an example of a slow pace followed by a fast pace used perfectly by Steinbeck in our novel.
Then Slim went quietly over to her, and he felt her wrist. One lean finger
touched her cheek, and then his hand went under her slightly twisted neck and
his fingers explored her neck. When he stood up the men crowded near and the
spell was broken. (p. 47)
Curley came suddenly to life. “I know who done it,” he cried. [...] I know he done it. Why—ever’body else was out there
playin’ horseshoes.” He worked himself into a fury. “I’m gonna get him. I’m
going for my shotgun. [...] I’ll shoot ‘im in the
guts. Come on, you guys.” He ran furiously out of the barn. (p. 47)
There are two kinds of pacing that will be discussed this lesson. There is a fast pace and a slow pace. Authors can change up the pace based on how they want the readers to interact with and interpret the text. When it comes to a slow pace, think of the author putting events into slow motion or making the reader feel the drawn out summer day. Below is an example from the novel. Notice the long sentences and added description. Writers can use fast pace for a chase scene, when someone is nervous in front of a crowd, or when the character is desperate. The fast paced example below has quick sentences and little description.
The following is an example of a slow pace followed by a fast pace used perfectly by Steinbeck in our novel.
Then Slim went quietly over to her, and he felt her wrist. One lean finger
touched her cheek, and then his hand went under her slightly twisted neck and
his fingers explored her neck. When he stood up the men crowded near and the
spell was broken. (p. 47)
Curley came suddenly to life. “I know who done it,” he cried. [...] I know he done it. Why—ever’body else was out there
playin’ horseshoes.” He worked himself into a fury. “I’m gonna get him. I’m
going for my shotgun. [...] I’ll shoot ‘im in the
guts. Come on, you guys.” He ran furiously out of the barn. (p. 47)
Plot Structure
The plot structure diagram is the one set as the main picture on this page. On that mountainous figure, there are five terms. Those five words will haunt you for the rest of your English high school career. You better get ready to become familiar with them now.
Exposition: This is the background information that you need to know. It sets the scene for the story.
Rising Action: This is when tension starts to rise and the story really gets going.
Climax: This is a turning point in the story. There is a culmination of all of the tension and some decision must be made.
Falling Action: The story is starting to wind down and the characters deal with the fall out of the climax.
Resolution: This is where everything comes to a close and the loose ends are usually tied up.
Exposition: This is the background information that you need to know. It sets the scene for the story.
Rising Action: This is when tension starts to rise and the story really gets going.
Climax: This is a turning point in the story. There is a culmination of all of the tension and some decision must be made.
Falling Action: The story is starting to wind down and the characters deal with the fall out of the climax.
Resolution: This is where everything comes to a close and the loose ends are usually tied up.
Point of view
The GoAnimate video below talks about ways to identify first, second, and third person. Take a look and then read on.