PLOT ARCH

PLOT ARCH

Who know what the word plot means?

The plot is the order and organization of events in a story, play, or movie.

Every story and play has a pattern that it must follow.  I am sure that you all know that a story has to have a beginning, a middle and an end, but what about the other parts of the story?  Does anyone know what they are?  The reason it is referred to as an arch is because the story starts at one place builds to a high point, then everything gets resolved and returns to a situation similar to the beginning. Let’s look at the way a story should be organized.

1.    The Beginning. Something should happen at the beginning of a story that makes it start to move.

2.   Introduction of Characters. Some people couple this together with the beginning of the story.  This is when a new character may appear or leave the story.

3.   Introduction of a Conflict or Problem. This is when the audience or reader discovers the goal which the main character has to/ wants to achieve.

4.   Major Complication. In a story this is the obstacle that the main character has to overcome.

5.    Climax. This is the highest point of tension in the story.

6.   Dénouement or Resolution of Conflict.  This is what happens to the characters in the story after they have either overcome all obstacles or failed to achieve what they want in the story.

7.    Conclusion/The Happy Ending.  This is the end result of the climax.  All loose ends get tied up, everyone gets what they want or deserve and the story is over.