What is a Plot?

Writing Class Notes: Plot

"Plot should come from within the characters, not be thrust upon them." - from Naming the World And Other Exercises for the Creaive Writer, edited by Bret Anthony Johnson. The plot is what happens in the story. It is made up of a series of events that take place. The following elements must be included in a plot:

Introduction: We meet the characters and learn about the setting, as well as what happened before the story begins. Setting - where the story takes place: state, city, county, town. It tells the time of day, day of the week, holiday decorations or preparations, precipitation (snow, rain), vegetation (palm trees), temperature, season, suburbs, animals, city, ranch. The characters are comprised of protagonist and antagonist. Protagonist is a person who does nice deeds and says kind words. Antagonist is the opposite and it is a person who bothers, annoys, or otherwise insights trouble with another individual or group.

Conflict: We learn about the problem or problems the characters must solve.

Events: Twists and turns in the plot that create tension and further conflict.

Turning Point: This event leads to the solution of the conflict.

Resolution: This is how the conflict is solved.

Falling action: The conflicts are settled, and the story is ending.

Conclusion: The story ends.