Download understanding plot structure

Elements of Literature
UNDERSTANDING PLOT STRUCTURE
SYNONYMS: storyline, story, chain of events, scenario, action, thread
Definition:
‘Plot’ is a literary term used to describe the events that make up a
story or the main part of a story. These events relate to each other
in a pattern or a sequence.
POINT ONE: Aristotle, the famous Greek philosopher, said
that plot structure had “a beginning, middle, and end”.
So if I say, “I went to the shop. My
mother ate candy. My father got a
black eye.” - Is that an example of plot?
Not a very good one, because although there
is a beginning, middle and end, those events
in your story are unrelated to each other.
POINT TWO: Plot is the causal sequence of events in a story.
That is, the structure of how those events relate to each other.
So I could say that, “I went to the shop. My mother
ate the candy I bought. She started choking on it
and when my father tried help her, she accidently
gave him a black eye.” - Is that an example of plot?
Yes! Not necessarily a very exciting story,
but it is an example of a plotline.
German dramatist, Gustav Freytag analyzed plot structure and
Elements of Plot: The
divided it into 5 main elements.
1. Exposition
This is the beginning of the story – the introduction of the characters, inciting
incidents, the establishment of the setting etc.
2. Rising Action
These are the events which lead up to the main action – usually a series of events
which build suspense, add drama and develop characters.
3. Climax
The climax is the most exciting part of the story. Often a turning point or pivotal
moment in the story, the climax is usually the main action or the biggest moment
of decision for the protagonist.
4. Falling Action
These are the events which follow on from the climax. Usually the falling action
deals with the aftereffects of the
climax, or the resolution for the
characters.
5. Resolution
This is the ending of the story.
Loose ends should be tied up,
conflicts resolved and some sort
of conclusion should be
reached.
When will I ever use
this information?
These elements are
often represented
graphically:
Whenever you write a story or analyze a piece of literature!
© Stacey Lloyd 2014