Etymology of Plot
The term plot traces its origins to Middle English, originally signifying a designated area of land. Its semantic shift occurred during the late 16th century when it began denoting the purposeful arrangement of events within a narrative, akin to the deliberate organization of land.
In contemporary usage, “plot” pertains to the structured sequence of events in a story, highlighting the intentional configuration of these elements to form a coherent narrative.
Meanings of Plot
| Meaning | Context |
| Narrative Structure | Literature and storytelling: Sequence of events in a story. |
| Land or Ground | Historical: Defined area of land for specific use. |
| Conspiracy or Secret Plan | Negative secret plan or scheme. |
| Graph or Chart | Mathematics and data representation: Chart or graph. |
| Main Storyline | General: Central theme or main storyline. |
| Survey or Map | Surveying and cartography: Detailed land map. |
Plot in Grammar
- Singular or Plural Veb Usage with “Plot”
- Singular Verb: When “plot” refers to a single storyline or sequence of events in a literary work, it takes a singular verb, as in “The plot of the novel was very intricate.”
- Plural Verb: However, when “plot” refers to multiple storylines or sequences of events, it takes a plural verb, as in “The various plots in the movie were hard to follow.”
- Flexibility of Usage: Despite its singular form, the word “plot” exhibits flexibility in its usage, adapting to either a singular or plural meaning depending on the context and the accompanying verb structure in a given sentence.
Definition of Plot
The plot, as a literary device, functions as the strategic arrangement of events within a narrative work to create a cohesive and meaningful storyline. It serves as the backbone upon which the characters’ actions, conflicts, and resolutions are intricately woven, facilitating the development of the themes and conveying the author’s intended message. Through its deliberate construction, the plot guides readers through a structured narrative journey.
Types of Plot
There are many different types of plots that can be found in literature, but here are a few common ones:
| Type | Description | Example |
| Linear Plot | Description: Linear plots present events sequentially, following a clear chronological order from start to finish. | Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen unfolds with a linear plot, tracing the societal complexities of the time as Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy navigate their relationship. |
| Nonlinear Plot | Description: Nonlinear plots involve a narrative structure that jumps through time, creating suspense as readers piece together the timeline. | In Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut, the protagonist’s wartime experiences disrupt the linear timeline, offering a fragmented view of his life. |
| Episodic Plot | Description: Episodic plots comprise loosely connected events or episodes, often encountered in works with multiple storylines. | The Sherlock Holmes stories by Arthur Conan Doyle feature episodic plots, with each tale presenting a new mystery for Holmes and Watson to unravel. |
| Quest Plot | Description: Quest plots involve characters embarking on journeys to accomplish specific goals, prevalent in adventure and fantasy narratives. | In J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, Frodo and his companions embark on a quest to destroy the One Ring, encountering numerous challenges and adventures. |
| Bildungsroman Plot | Description: Bildungsroman plots focus on a character’s personal growth and development, exploring moral and emotional maturation. | Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is a bildungsroman that chronicles Scout Finch’s gradual understanding of the moral complexities within her community. |
| Tragedy Plot | Description: Tragedy plots depict protagonists’ downfalls or tragic endings, often delving into themes of hubris, fate, and human nature. | In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the protagonist’s unchecked ambition leads to his tragic demise, serving as a cautionary tale about the consequences of unbridled ambition. |
| Comedy Plot | Description: Comedy plots involve characters overcoming obstacles to achieve happy endings, frequently featuring humor and a lighthearted tone. | Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice showcases a comedy plot as the obstacles faced by Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy are humorously resolved, culminating in a joyful conclusion. |
Elements of Plot
The elements of a plot in stories typically include the following:
| Stage | Description | Example |
| Exposition | Description: The exposition serves to introduce the story’s foundation, including key characters, the setting, and central conflict. | In J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, readers are acquainted with Bilbo Baggins as an unlikely hero within the serene Shire, and they are presented with the overarching quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain. |
| Rising Action | Description: The rising action initiates tension by introducing challenges and obstacles that the main character must confront. | J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone sees this stage unfold as Harry discovers his latent magical abilities, learns about the Sorcerer’s Stone, and faces the formidable obstacles guarding it. |
| Climax | Description: The climax represents the story’s turning point, where conflict reaches its zenith, and the outcome becomes evident. | In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, this stage arrives with the tragic demise of the titular characters, ultimately resolving the longstanding feud between their families. |
| Falling Action | Description: The falling action concludes the story’s conflict and addresses any remaining narrative threads as the tale winds down. | Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird sees this stage following Tom Robinson’s trial and its repercussions, providing a deeper understanding of the pervasive prejudice within the community. |
| Resolution | Description: The resolution signifies the story’s culmination, delivering full closure to the conflict and often conveying profound lessons or character development. | Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations reaches this stage with Pip’s realization of the true nature of his “great expectations” and his subsequent personal growth. |
| Denouement | Description: The denouement imparts closure by tying up any remaining narrative threads and offering readers a sense of finality. | In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, this stage follows Gatsby’s tragic demise and Nick Carraway’s contemplations, providing readers with a conclusive perspective on the story’s events. |
Suggested Readings
- Booker, Christopher. The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories. Continuum, 2005.
- Foster, Thomas C. How to Read Literature Like a Professor: A Lively and Entertaining Guide to Reading Between the Lines. Harper Perennial, 2014.
- Freytag, Gustav. Technique of the Drama: An Exposition of Dramatic Composition and Art. Dover Publications, 2004.
- Hawthorn, Jeremy. Story: The Heart of the Matter. Routledge, 2000.
- Kernan, Alvin B. The Plot of The Tempest. University of Chicago Press, 1986.
- Sternberg, Meir. The Poetics of Biblical Narrative: Ideological Literature and the Drama of Reading. Indiana University Press, 1987.
- Vogler, Christopher. The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers. Michael Wiese Productions, 2007.
- Wheeler, Richard P. Classic Story Structure: The Key to Unleashing the Power of Story. Michael Wiese Productions, 2013.