How would you describe it? In case you havent guessed, it's for English, and I have to explain the plot of a short story. It might help if I KNEW what plot really was. Anyone wanna help?

Oh God, I hated doing that for english, my heart goes out to you lol. Ok, basically its like the main storyline--the REASON for the story. Its the beginning, middle, and end. And, if Im wrong, you didnt hear it from me!!!! lol. When it came to describing them though in school, I just kinda BS'd my way around it lol- it usually worked too.;)

the main event(s) that a story revolves around.... unless you had to write an essay on what a plot is, whats so hard? lol

Originally posted by tootieismyfav
the main event(s) that a story revolves around.... unless you had to write an essay on what a plot is, whats so hard? lol

Hmm... not knowing what it is...lol

Thanks guys! That helped tons!

Basically its what your stories about. Like if I'm working on a story about a guy that goes crazy and kills his family. I could start off telling about how he went crazy. The middle could be dedicated to how he killed his family. Then the ending could be either if he gets caught or if you throw in extra twists. Personally, I like adding twists to the story. That's the way I think of plots.

Am I thinking of the right thing? You could draw a triangle on the board and do it this way, if this is correct.

I'll use an 'A' as a triangle.




A

The bottom left of the triangle is the beginning. We shimmy on up the triangle and we have our rising action. The point of the triangle is the Climax (also referred to as a Delemonte (sp???) then we slide down the climax of the triangle and that is our falling action. Then the bottom right of our triangle is our ending.

That may or may not be correct. I think that is how plot works.

PLOT vs. STORY

Plot: The events of the story (such as Jill walks in and finds Jim sitting on the couch. She laughs at him because he is sitting there in her underwear.)

Story: The meaning behind the plot (such as Jill realizes that any guy that would sleep in her underwear must be a loser so she decides it would be best to move on in life)

It's the lesson learned, the moral told, etc.

When writing a story, you should concentrate mostly on story...plot will come along.

Originally posted by Jenny
Basically its what your stories about. Like if I'm working on a story about a guy that goes crazy and kills his family. I could start off telling about how he went crazy. The middle could be dedicated to how he killed his family. Then the ending could be either if he gets caught or if you throw in extra twists. Personally, I like adding twists to the story. That's the way I think of plots.


I'm going to have to read a story of yours sometime. :)

Originally posted by Jenny
Basically its what your stories about. Like if I'm working on a story about a guy that goes crazy and kills his family. I could start off telling about how he went crazy. The middle could be dedicated to how he killed his family. Then the ending could be either if he gets caught or if you throw in extra twists. Personally, I like adding twists to the story. That's the way I think of plots.

Am I thinking of the right thing? You could draw a triangle on the board and do it this way, if this is correct.

I'll use an 'A' as a triangle.




A

The bottom left of the triangle is the beginning. We shimmy on up the triangle and we have our rising action. The point of the triangle is the Climax (also referred to as a Delemonte (sp???) then we slide down the climax of the triangle and that is our falling action. Then the bottom right of our triangle is our ending.

That may or may not be correct. I think that is how plot works.

ya i have the story plot line diagrams ingrained in my head. first is the exposition, then the rising action.. then the climax, falling action, and resolution.

Here is an example for you. The the Harry Potter books. The plot is basically a young man finds out he is a wizard and we follow his adventures through wizards school.


D

Originally posted by dawsongirl
I'm going to have to read a story of yours sometime. :)

I'll have to admit my stories get pretty damn weird. lol
We ought to do a trade. I can read one of yours and you can read one of mine. :)