3 of 9

Write now Article Tools

What is plot?
Plot is the arrangement of incidents and events in a chain of cause and effect that leads to an inevitable climax and satisfactory conclusion. Plot works simultaneously with developing characters who logically shape and by their words and action further the plot. A plot must have a beginning, middle, and ending and contain the elements of character, setting, situation, and theme. Your plot should answer: What? Why? And how?

Your plot cannot begin to unfold without an initial situation or conflict. Your situation is the problem. Plot is the problem and its solution.

E. M. Forster wrote in Aspects of the Novel "the story is the most ancient and fundamental way of narration of events." Plot originated as a set of religious ritual, and from that came drama, which became the first type of story that used a causal chain of events. Forster is famous for saying, "'The King died, and then the Queen died' is a story. The King died, and then the Queen died of grief is the plot.'" He says the difference between story and plot is the question of a story is "What happened next?" The question asked of plot is "Why?"

In traditionally structured stories, the plot is a cause and effect relationship between all events in the story. This doesn't mean you should merely structure a series of events one after another but structure them because they happened as a result of one before it. The events should link together like chainsbecause this happened, then that. Each causal event adds conflict and propels the story toward a resolution or revelation. You make the story come alive by turning the events into scenes, by adding description, dialogue, action, and characterization. The character's thoughts and actions are the links between causes and effects.

Josip Novakovich wrote in The Fiction Writer's Workshop, "Plot clearly depends on basic values. What do your characters treasure most? Put it at stake. Let them fight for it . . . If your characters care about nothing, the actions around them might become random. Without passion, forget about plot . . . Plot depends on passionson how characters struggle to fulfill them.

Plot is Not
* Simple movement, whether it be riding on a train or fleeing from a tornado is not plot.
* A character sketch is not a plot.
* An idea for a story is not plot.
* Incident is not plot. Essential in plotting is knowing the difference between an incident or group of incidents and a complete story.

For instance: A man and woman are shopping in a grocery

• 1
• 2
• 3
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Creating a strong plot in your fiction?
We want to hear your view. Write now!