What is a PLOT?

When we speak of the plot in a story’s plot, we usually refer to the series of events that cause and effect that comprise the storyline.

The plot is perhaps the most crucial element in an effective story, even though it is also a difficult opponent in the form of a character-driven narrative.

Character-Driven vs. Plot-Driven Narratives

The two kinds of stories comprise the narrative structure of the large majority of books and movies, as well as plays and television dramas. They are two different ways of telling stories. To help students become proficient at writing good plots, they must first understand the difference between these two different perspectives on storytelling.

Stories that are based on characters concentrate on the characters in the tale. They are primarily concerned with the lives of their characters and how the events outside of their lives influence their lives psychologically.

In character-driven stories, we follow the trials and struggles of the story’s characters that usually end in a dramatic conclusion that causes a major transformation in the character’s persona or the psychology of the protagonist.

The most important element of this kind of tale is character development which is usually used in literary fiction.

THE STEADY TELLERS BUNDLE OF TELLING RELIANCES

A HUGE COLLECTION of materials for narratives and storytelling in the classroom that cover all the elements needed to create stunning stories. Months’ Worth of Writing lessons and resources, including:

• Narrative Fundamentals
• Writers’ Workshop for Complete Stories
• The Elements of Story Writing Introduction Unit
• Creating great Characters & Setting
• Advanced Story Writing Unit
• Stories Elements Unit Advanced

Famous Character-Driven Stories

• The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man written by James Joyce
• The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
• Steppenwolf written by Herman Hesse
• Raging Bull
• The Godfather

Stories that plot concentrate on the happenings in the story, rather than the psychological effects on the characters.

While causes and effects can be the key to plot-driven narratives, writers often attempt to surprise readers by using plot twists to stop things from becoming predictable. Because of this, plot-driven stories tend to be packed with action and are often difficult to tell a story.

External circumstances drive the action more than internal shifts within the character.

The plot is the central element of numerous Hollywood blockbusters as well as the most popular paperbacks.

Famous Plot-Driven Stories

• Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien
• Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
• Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
• Jaws
• Speed

But, regardless of whether the story is character-driven or plot-driven, it’s going to require well-drawn characters as well as a well-constructed plot to be an enjoyable story.

In the remaining part of the article, we’ll take a look at the major components of a plot as well as some particular types of plots, as well as how students can write fantastic plots for their amazing stories.

Professional New York Publishers will also offer suggestions for activities that can assist students to improve their skills in these areas.

What are the most important elements of the plot?

There are six major plot elements for students to recognize and master. They are:

1. Exposition
2. Conflict or Incident that Incites
3. Rising Action
4. Climax
5. Falling Action
6. Resolution

Below is an outline of each component in turn. If you’d like to go over these components in more detail together with students, you can refer to our complete guide for Narrative Writing.

1. Exposition

Exposition is about laying the foundation. In the initial paragraphs, the author sets scenes and introduces the major characters. The exposition helps the reader get accustomed to the world that they are in.

2. Conflict/Inciting Incident

Every story requires a challenge to propel the plot ahead. The term is a conflict or the ‘inciting event. At this point of the story, the incident occurs, or a conflict is triggered which leaves the protagonist confronting a problem of some kind. This is a break from the norms that are established in the exposition, creating the sequence of events that create the plot of the story.

3. Rising Action

The incident or conflict triggers an escalating sequence of causally connected episodes that gradually boost tension and drama as the story builds to the final scene. The process of creating tension by raising stakes is known as “the rising tension.

4. Climax

The dramatic climax marks the peak of the story when everything comes to a halt. The story’s conflict is resolved, typically with a sense of tension.

5. Falling Action

The tension that was created by the dramatic scene is released in anticipation of the final scene the story begins to slow down. After the dust settles over the scene that was the most dramatic and we begin to notice how the events affect the characters and the environment surrounding them.

6. Resolution/Denouement

Sometimes, it is referred to as the “denouement the resolution is the final part where the unfinished business is tied. The section is considered to be the end of the road in that it helps establish new norms in the aftermath of recent events.

7. Plot Types Basic along with Writing Prompts

In the world of books, it is common to find plot-driven genre fiction on the bestseller lists of paperbacks. The majority of popular fiction referred to as genre fiction is driven by plot.

Genre fiction can be found in a variety of varieties, including romance, science fiction, fantasy thrillers, horror, and more to mention.

No matter what type of book, there are a number of the same plots appearing in the well-loved pages of these well-known books. To help students write their fantastic plots, they’ll need to be aware of the tried and true 7 fundamental rules that plots are based on.

Let’s look at the most popular of these plots along with an essay prompt that will encourage your students to write an illustration of each.

i. Tragedy

A genre that has ancient roots Tragedies are based on the experiences of immense sorrow suffering, pain, or destruction. Originating from an ancient Greek drama, the tragedy focuses on the plot and the issues they raise in a serious, bleak style.

Example: Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

The prompt: A story begins with the hero’s premature death. Do students have the opportunity to be able to go back and share the story of what caused this tragedy?

ii. Comedy

For the early Greeks comedy was drama in contrast to tragedy. When tragedy can be serious, and serious comedy is fun and funny. Comedy is a variety of subgenres such as farce, parody, comedy, slapstick, romantic comedy, screwball, and even dark comedy.

Examples: A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare, and The Hitchhiker’s Handbook to the galaxy by Douglas Adams.

Prompt The world has one man who, because of a rare disorder, is unable to be lying. Whatever you want to hide what is true, he cannot lie. What will happen the next time?

iii. The Quest

As the name implies, the plot of the quest is an adventure of some kind to locate a specific individual, location, or thing. Sometimes, the quest is in search of fame or even fortune. The thing that is wanted isn’t as crucial as the story that takes place in the process.

Example: The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark

The prompt: A young girl can escape her miserable home and her savage stepmother to seek an improved future. Write about what happened to her.

iv. “The Voyage and Return

In some ways, the quest is similar to the quest in that there is an added aspect of returning home. The hero typically travels to an entirely new world (often magical) in which the circumstances are different. In the end, the hero altered by his experiences returned home. Learning valuable lessons, they take their new knowledge or discoveries back to their home.

Example: Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, The Wonderful Wizard of Osby L. Frank Baum

The prompt: A prince has been engaged to marry an enchanting princess. The princess has been abducted by a ruthless rival. The prince must travel to recover her with the hope of returning her.

v. The Monster

In this kind of story, the protagonist must take out the threat posed by a kind of creature or entity like a vampire, dragon, or ghost. In destroying the monster, the hero will bring peace and security to the entire world.

Example: Dracula by Bram Stoker, Jack and the Beanstalk (Traditional)

Response: The sea creature emerges from the deep ocean floor and begins to develop a craving for human flesh. The hero must discover the method to stop this vile beast before the entire village is destroyed.

vi. Rebirth

In this story, we see the events that lead to redemption and the return of the protagonist, who was previously struggling to figure out their position within the larger world. In the final chapter of this story, there’s an alteration in the way the world returns to equilibrium.

Illustrations: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, Lion King

The prompt: An orphanage’s cruel owner comes across a child lost in the forest. The incident sets off the chain of events leading to the redemption of the orphanage’s owner. Note down what transpires.

vii. Rags to Riches

This type of plot traces the hero’s rise through hardships to the heights of fortune and fame.

Example: Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, The Pursuit of Happiness

The prompt unloved child is rescued from her family and struggles to care for herself with food and shelter in the frigid city that is uncaring and unforgiving. A few days later, she can meet an unlikely donor, triggering an event that will alter her life. Note down the events that transpire.

HOW to write a great plot Step-by-Step Process

1. Create a Few Ideas

The story starts by forming the basis for an idea. Students can begin the process by choosing one of the plot styles above and then making five possible events that could ignite the story.

Encourage students to draw from their own experiences in life as well as those of their friends or family members as well as on topics they’ve read about or heard about on the news, like.

2: Create a Premise

After they’ve gotten the idea in their head the next step is to put the concept down. The premise can be described as a couple of sentences that describe the plot of the tale in easy phrases.

3. Select the Characters and Setup

Now is the time to develop the characters and pick the setting for the actions to be performed. Writing short profiles of the characters with short descriptions of their backgrounds is a fantastic way for students to create real-life characters.

For setting, creating collages of photos images, illustrations, and pictures can be a good method of inspiring vivid descriptions for the work of the student.

With these essential elements set, students can now begin writing the exposition portion of their tales.

4: Present Central Conflict Central Conflict

No problem = no story!

If it’s referred to as “the main conflict,” the problem or an incident that triggers the story students need to present it to establish the story and start creating tension within the story.

Now, looking at this aspect in well-known stories that are similar to the genre will aid students.

Ask your students to reflect on their most loved films and books. Are they able to identify the main tension in both?

5: Map out an Optimal Route toward the Goal

With the central issue established, a series of causal causes and effects dominoes have to be arranged to move the plotline up the ladder of action rising until the final resolution.

Storyboarding is a powerful method to help students visualize their plot arc before committing to writing. Make sure students are aware of the importance of ensuring that every scene is linked with each other.

After the climax is attained the dust will settle down in the falling motion to reveal the effects of the actions and witness the establishment of new normalcy in the resolution.

A Complete Unit on Teaching Story Elements

This huge resource offers all the tools, resources, AND Content to help students understand characters and the story elements.

• Lesson Plans
• Teaching Materials
• Visual Writing Prompts
• Rubrics for Assessment
• Graphic Organizers
• Research Tools
• And More

The End

Based on the structural components described above together with the rules of a common plot type among the seven types mentioned above students must be able to create a neatly ordered plotline.

If the previous description about how you can write a compelling story seems too rigid at first, It’s important to note that there’s a lot of creativity within the frameworks discussed in this post.

The plot types mentioned above were derived from patterns and shapes of the thousands of favorite stories told over the years Instead of being patterns that are designed to be adhered to. Humans are machines that recognize patterns. In patterns, Professional New York Publishers can find the meaning.