Plot what is it

We answer these questions here and show you real plot examples from literature. Plot is the way an author creates and organizes a chain of events in a narrative.

In short, plot is the foundation of a story. Some describe it as the "what" of a text whereas the characters are the "who" and the theme is the "why". The plot must follow a logical, enticing format that draws the reader in.

Plot differs from "story" in that it highlights a specific and purposeful cause-and-effect relationship between a sequence of major events in the narrative. In Aspects of the Novel , famed British novelist E. Forster argues that instead of merely revealing random events that occur within a text as "story" does , plot emphasizes causality between these events:.

A plot is also a narrative of events, the emphasis falling on causality. The time-sequence is preserved, but the sense of causality overshadows it. This is why many plots follow the same basic structure. So what is this structure exactly? Generally speaking, every plot has these five elements in this order :.

The primary conflict or tension around which the plot revolves is also usually introduced here in order to set up the course of events for the rest of the narrative. This tension could be the first meeting between two main characters think Pride and Prejudice or the start of a murder mystery, for example.

The conflict may affect one character or multiple characters. The author should have clearly communicated to the reader the stakes of this central conflict. In other words, what are the possible consequences? The benefits? This is the part of the plot that sets the rest of the plot in motion.

Excitement grows as tensions get higher and higher, ultimately leading to the climax of the story see below. This little guy says his cousin was part of the plot in the Harry Potter books. Arguably the most important part of a story, the climax is the biggest plot point , which puts our characters in a situation wherein a choice must be made that will affect the rest of the story. This is the critical moment that all the rising action has been building up to, and the point at which the overarching conflict is finally addressed.

What will the character s do, and what will happen as a result? Tensions are highest here, instilling in the reader a sense of excitement, dread, and urgency. In classic tales of heroes, the climax would be when the hero finally faces the big monster, and the reader is left to wonder who will win and what this outcome could mean for the other characters and the world as a whole within the story.

This is when the tension has been released and the story begins to wind down. How did their choices affect themselves and those around them? At this point, the author also ties up loose ends in the main plot and any subplots. This final plot point is when everything has been wrapped up and the new world—and the new sense of normalcy for the characters—has been established. The conflict from the climax has been resolved, and all loose ends have been neatly tied up unless the author is purposely setting up the story for a sequel!

There is a sense of finality and closure here , making the reader feel that there is nothing more they can learn or gain from the narrative. The resolution can be pretty short—sometimes just a paragraph or so—and might even take the form of an epilogue , which generally takes place a while after the main action and plot of the story.

Be careful not to conflate "resolution" with "happy ending"—resolutions can be tragic and entirely unexpected, too! In Romeo and Juliet , the resolution is the point at which the family feud between the Capulets and Montagues is at last put to an end following the deaths of the titular lovers. Many people use a plot diagram to help them visualize the plot definition and structure. The falling action is when Scott takes a jersey and the resolution is him leaving the try-outs as a new, happy quarterback.

There are many types of plots in the world! But, realistically, most of them fit some pattern that we can see in more than one story. Here are some classic plots that can be seen in numerous stories all over the world and throughout history.

The protagonist must defeat a monster or force in order to save some people—usually everybody! Most often, the protagonist is forced into this conflict, and comes out of it as a hero, or even a king. This story can begin with the protagonist being poor or rich, but at some point, the protagonist will have everything, lose everything, and then gain it all back by the end of the story, after experiencing great personal growth. The protagonist embarks on a quest involving travel and dangerous adventures in order to find treasure or solve a huge problem.

Usually, the protagonist is forced to begin the quest but makes friends that help face the many tests and obstacles along the way. The protagonist goes on a journey to a strange or unknown place, facing danger and adventures along the way, returning home with experience and understanding.

This is also a version of the monomyth. A happy and fun character finds a happy ending after triumphing over difficulties and adversities. As these seven examples show, many stories follow a common pattern. In fact, according to many thinkers, such as the great novelist Kurt Vonnegut, and Joseph Campbell, there are only a few basic patterns, which are mixed and combined to form all stories.

The plot is what makes a story a story. It allows an author to develop themes and most importantly, conflict that makes a story emotionally engaging; everybody knows how hard it is to stop watching a movie before the conflict is resolved. He embarks on a voyage through Europe and Asia seeking higher truth.

Finally, in Asia, he finds a more meaningful way of life. In this novel, the plot follows the protagonist Larry as he seeks meaningful experiences. The story begins with the exposition of a disillusioned young man who does not want to work. The rising action occurs as he travels seeking an education. The story climaxes when he becomes a man perfectly at peace in meditation.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could … Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim … And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Browse plop. Test your vocabulary with our fun image quizzes. Image credits. Word of the Day kind-hearted. About this. Blog Outsets and onsets! Read More. November 08, To top. English American Business Translations.

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Sign up now or Log in. Definitions Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English. Over subsequent days, the hacker met with the employee multiple times to hash out the plot , unaware that the FBI was listening in. After rejecting all possible sources of error they could think of, the researchers came up with three explanations that would fit the size and shape of the bump in their data plot s.

When communism was a threat, it was construed as a communist plot. But his account of a dissident plot involving Gambian expats using U. Another member of the plot took care of the ammo along with black uniforms, night-vision equipment, and body armor.

They were able to purchase weapons and plot attacks on the island without much interference. The plot was a string of anecdotes from the senseless shootings of friends that Brinsley knew. It was thanks to the discovery of this plot that the Marshal first got information of his enemies' projected advance.

But Magellan learned of their wicked plot in time to defeat them, and he punished them as they deserved.