What Is Plot?

Elements of Plot

Basic Situation

Complications

Climax

Resolution

Timing of Events

Practice

Plot

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Plot is “what happens” in a story—the sequence of related events that makes a story hang together.

What Is Plot?

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A typical plot has four parts.

Climaxmost exciting/suspenseful moment

Resolutionproblems are resolved

Complicationsnew problems arise

Basic Situation/Expositionconflict is introduced

Elements of Plot

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• wants something very much

The first part of a story is the basic situation, or exposition. The writer introduces a character who

• encounters a conflict while trying to get it

Basic Situation

• External conflict: a struggle between a character and an outside force

The main conflict in a story may be internal or external.

• Internal conflict: a struggle within the character’s own heart or mind

External:climbing wall

Internal:fear

Basic Situation

What is the basic situation?

What conflict does Bertha face?

Quick CheckBertha walked up and down and enjoyed herself immensely, and thought to herself: ‘If I were not so extraordinarily good I should not have been allowed to come into this beautiful park and enjoy all that there is to be seen in it,’ and her three medals clinked against one another as she walked and helped to remind her how very good she really was.  Just then an enormous wolf came prowling into the park to see if it could catch a fat little pig for its supper.

from “The Storyteller” by Saki

Basic Situation

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Next, a series of complications arises—events that make the character’s situation more difficult and heighten the suspense.

Complication:

“. . . and as she trembled the medal for obedience clinked against the medals for good conduct and punctuality. The wolf was just moving away when he heard the sound of the medals clinking and stopped to listen. . . .”

from “The Storyteller” by Saki

Complications

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• is the most exciting or suspenseful moment

The plot reaches a climax. The climax

• decides the outcome of the conflict

“He dashed into the bush, his pale grey eyes gleaming with ferocity and triumph. . . .”

from “The Storyteller” by Saki

Climax

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The last part of the plot is the resolution, or denouement.

• The problems are resolved in some way.

• The story ends—sometimes happily, sometimes not.

“All that was left of her were her shoes, bits of clothing, and the three medals for goodness.”

from “The Storyteller” by Saki

Resolution

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Another important element of plot is the order in which a writer tells the events.

Order of Events

Chronological order: The writer tells the events in the order in which they happened.

Flashbacks: The writer interrupts the present action with a scene or scenes from the past.

Flash-forwards: The writer gives a glimpse into the character’s future.

Foreshadowing: The writer hints at something that will happen later in the plot.

Timing of Events

Identify which graphic represents chronological order, flashback, and flash-forward.

Quick Check

Timing of Events

First Next Last

In years to come . . .

First Next Last

Years ago . . .

First Next Last

A writer may slow the pace of events to create suspense or dramatize a moment.

“There was no suggestion of form in the utter blackness; only could be seen a pair of eyes gleaming like live coals. Henry indicated with his head a second pair, and a third. A circle of the gleaming eyes had drawn about their camp.

from “White Fang” by Jack London

Then, they saw a circle of gleaming eyes around their camp.

Fast

Slow

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Timing of Events

You can chart the plot of a story by using a diagram like the one below. Fill in a plot diagram for a fairy tale or a TV drama you know well. Television and movies make frequent use of flashbacks and foreshadowing. Insert those time tricks on your plot diagram as well.

Basic Situation

Climax

Resolution

Complications

EventEvent

Event

Practice

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The End