Plot: Creating and Critiquing It

Introduction to Plot

The literary device known as “plot” represents the masterful arrangement of events within a narrative. It acts as the narrative’s structural backbone. It shows the author’s expertise in weaving characters’ interactions, conflicts, and resolutions to present themes and convey messages.

On the other hand, this narrative framework guides readers on a purposeful journey through the narrative terrain, invoking emotional engagement and inspiring the exploration of the text.

How to Create Plot in a Fictional Work

Creating a plot for a fictional work can be a challenging but rewarding process. Here are some steps to consider when creating a plot:

Step	Explanation	Example
1. Define Your Story’s Premise:	Start by clearly defining the central idea or theme of your narrative. What message or concept do you want to convey through your story?	In George Orwell’s dystopian classic, 1984, the premise revolves around a society ruled by totalitarianism, exploring themes of surveillance and resistance.
2. Craft Compelling Characters:	Develop well-rounded, relatable characters with distinct personalities, motivations, and growth arcs. Characters are the heart of your plot.	J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series provides a remarkable example. Harry, Hermione, and Ron are complex characters who grow from young, inexperienced students into courageous wizards, driving the narrative forward.
3. Set the Scene:	Establish the time and place where your story unfolds. The setting should enhance the narrative’s atmosphere and meaning.	Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude immerses readers in the lush and mysterious town of Macondo, located in Colombia’s jungle. This setting plays a vital role in the story’s magical realism and family saga.
4. Introduce Conflict:	Present the primary conflict or challenge that your characters will confront. Conflict is the driving force behind your plot’s progression.	In William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, a group of boys stranded on a deserted island must contend with their inner darkness and the struggle for power and survival.
5. Outline Plot Structure:	Create a basic plot structure that includes key elements like the inciting incident, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.	Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories exemplify this structure. Each tale begins with a mysterious case as the inciting incident, leading to Holmes’ investigation, the climactic reveal of the solution, and resolution.
6. Build Tension and Suspense:	Gradually heighten tension and suspense as your story unfolds. Incorporate obstacles, surprises, and complications to keep readers engaged.	Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl skillfully builds tension through alternating perspectives, revealing disturbing secrets and creating an intense psychological thriller.
7. Convey Character Growth:	Allow your characters to evolve and change as they navigate challenges. Their growth should align with the overall narrative arc.	In Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, the protagonist, Pip, transforms from a humble orphan into a more self-aware individual, reflecting themes of social class and personal development.
8. Resolve and Refine:	Provide a satisfying resolution to the central conflict and tie up loose ends. Finally, review and refine your plot for coherence, impact, and overall effectiveness.	Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird addresses the central conflict of racial injustice through the trial of Tom Robinson, followed by a reflection on Scout’s childhood, offering a sense of closure.

Benefits of Plot

The benefits of a well-crafted plot in a work of fiction are numerous. Here are some of the key benefits of having a strong plot:

1. Keeps the Reader Engaged:

• A good plot keeps the reader engaged by creating tension and conflict that makes them want to keep reading to find out what happens next.

2. Provides a Sense of Structure:

• A plot provides a sense of structure to a story, helping the reader to understand the purpose and direction of the narrative.

3. Creates Emotional Impact:

• A well-executed plot can create emotional impact by eliciting strong emotions in the reader, such as fear, sadness, or joy.

4. Supports Character Development:

• A plot can support character development by creating situations that force characters to confront their fears, overcome obstacles, and grow as individuals.

5. Conveys Themes and Messages:

• A plot can be used to convey themes and messages to the reader, such as the importance of family, the dangers of greed, or the power of love.

6. Increases the Likelihood of Publication:

• A strong plot can increase the likelihood of publication, as publishers and agents are more likely to be interested in a manuscript with a well-crafted plot.

Plot and Literary Theory

Here are a few examples of how different literary theories might approach the concept of plot:

Literary Theory	Description	Role of Plot
Formalism	Formalist literary theory emphasizes the form of the work and its technical features, such as structure, syntax, and imagery. Plot is considered an essential element of the work’s form, providing a framework for the story’s events and contributing to its overall structure.	Plot is integral to the work’s form, serving as a structural foundation that shapes the narrative’s events and contributes to the work’s overall organization.
Structuralism	Structuralist literary theory focuses on the underlying structures and patterns that shape the work. Plot is seen as part of a larger system of meaning and interpretation, with each story element contributing to the overall structure and message.	Plot is viewed as a component within a broader system of meaning, where it interacts with other elements to create a cohesive narrative structure and convey the work’s message.
Reader-Response Theory	Reader-response literary theory emphasizes the role of the reader in interpreting and creating meaning from the work. Plot engages the reader, creating a sense of involvement and investment in the story.	Plot is a tool for engaging readers, drawing them into the narrative, and allowing them to participate in the creation of meaning, making their interpretations and emotional responses crucial to the work.
Postmodernism	Postmodern literary theory challenges traditional notions of plot and narrative structure, emphasizing fragmentation, multiplicity, and ambiguity. Plot is one of many possible approaches to creating meaning, with no single interpretation being privileged.	Plot may be one of various approaches to meaning creation, with its significance shifting in a landscape of fragmented narratives and multiple interpretations, where ambiguity and diverse perspectives are embraced.

Suggested Readings

1. Booker, Christopher. The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories. Continuum, 2005.
2. Foster, Thomas C. How to Read Literature Like a Professor: A Lively and Entertaining Guide to Reading Between the Lines. Harper Perennial, 2014.
3. Freytag, Gustav. Technique of the Drama: An Exposition of Dramatic Composition and Art. Dover Publications, 2004.
4. Kernan, Alvin B. The Plot of The Tempest. University of Chicago Press, 1986.
5. Sternberg, Meir. The Poetics of Biblical Narrative: Ideological Literature and the Drama of Reading. Indiana University Press, 1987.
6. Vogler, Christopher. The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers. Michael Wiese Productions, 2007.