How to use a plot diagram for effective storytelling - Talentnook (2023)

Plot diagrams are essential tools for developing literary understanding and effective storytelling, making them one of the most important skills in the English language arts. Plot diagrams allow students to form a narrative progression and follow the main characters in a story, improving their analytical skills.

A plot diagram is a tool often used to break a story into specific sections. We can use them to shape our own stories. At the same time, we can also use plot diagrams to analyze other people's stories!

Learning to use a plot diagram is a skill that many students need to learn in their English classes, and for good reason!It's a great way to understand elements of a short story or novel. It can also help you understand why the author wrote certain parts of the story.

Let's begin.

What is plot?

Definition:WhatGraphicis a sequence of events in a story that forces a character to make increasingly difficult decisions, leading the story to a climactic event and resolution.

Okay, so what does that mean? The plot has a special structure that allows writers to trap their readers on a roller coaster ride. This is not just a silly metaphor. Like a roller coaster, the plot of any literary work slowly builds the reader's anticipation, excitement, and expectations before reaching its climax. After this climax, the action quickly unfolds, giving the reader euphoria and satisfaction before coming to a halt.

More specifically, the plot is about cause and effect. Every fact in the story has to drive the plot. Whether inviting the reader to ask questions or highlighting character development, each plot element serves a specific purpose.

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History vs. plot

IN. Forester distinguishes between a story and a plot in his book.aspects of a novel🇧🇷 A story is a mere statement of fact. For example,Danny left the bride at the altar.

An action, on the other hand, would show cause and effect.Danny's old flame objected to the marriage, so Danny left his bride at the altar.(If a novel, right?)

We'll let Forester explain in his own words.

Let's define plot. We define a story as a narrative of events organized in their chronological order. A plot is also a narrative of events with an emphasis on causality. "The king died and then the queen died" is a story. "The king died, and then the queen died of grief" is a conspiracy. The chronological order is preserved, but the sense of causality overshadows it. Or also: "The queen died, no one knew why, until it was discovered that it was because of the pain of the king's death." This is a story with a mystery...

The gist of it is the difference between these two sentences:

• The king died and then the queen died.
  • That's a story.
• The queen died, nobody knew why until it was discovered that it wasthrough the painon the king's death.
  • This is an act because it employs cause and effect and provides a complete picture.

The basic structure of a plot diagram

To create a diagram with the necessary causal characteristics, we must first decompose the diagram's components. As we put these components together in the correct order, the reader gradually sees the full picture, increasing the amount of anticipation needed to keep reading.

A typical chart should contain the following elements

1. exposition or presentation.

In this part of the plot, the author establishes the characters, including the protagonist. The protagonist is the main character whose actions and choices drive the plot. The author will also use this time to provide the setting.

Most likely, all the world building won't happen in the exposition itself, but the author will share enough information to show the reader what is normal for the protagonist. That way, the reader will know later if something is wrong.In our rollercoaster metaphor, the reader would buckle up. You are about to go to hell.

2. Upward action that reveal the conflict

This is where the author ups the ante and starts building to the story's climax. The protagonist is likely to experience many harrowing events during the rising story. It may seem that the antagonist is still winning. The author will use montage action to determine exactly what is at stake and ensure readers understand the main conflict.Now we are climbing the roller coaster slope, is it worth the descent?

3. The climax or turning point

Trouble is now the worst thing the protagonist has ever seen. All the complications so far have built up to this critical moment. This is where the story's tension is at its peak, with the entire main conflict stemming from the protagonist's pivotal decision. Typically, the climax not only highlights the main conflict, but also incorporates any minor conflicts to create a moment of intense anticipation.We're at the top of the roller coaster.

4. Release action

Now is the time to relax. Fall action events usually deal with the consequences of decisions made during the climax. Your teacher may use the termresolution, which is a French term meaning "to tie up loose ends". Many of the remaining issues and plot moments are resolved and connected during the descending plot.Do you feel the thrill of the descent?

5. Resolution

Here the author establishes the “new normal”. Through the events of the story, readers will have seen how the characters have changed and adapted, and will have revelations that fuel their development. The culmination of these experiences now leads to resolution, which allows the reader to reflect and see how the characters and the world around them have changed as a result of the story.Now we are slowing down to a stop.

Example of a plot diagram

We leave you with a quick and easy to understand use of the story plot diagram,The tortoise and the rabbit.

Exhibition:The rabbit brags to all the other animals that he is the fastest of them all.The tortoise disagrees with the hare and challenges him to a race.

Action boost:The other animals left for the next day's race. youThe race starts and the rabbit takes off while the turtle walks behind the rabbit very slowly.Halfway through the race, the rabbit realizes he has plenty of time to beat the turtle and decides to take a nap.

Climax:The rabbit underestimates the turtle and when he wakes up, the turtle is almost there. The rabbit runs fast and tries to catch up with the turtle.

Drop action:But the rabbit's last leap comes too late. The turtle had beaten him to the finish line.

Resolution:The tortoise tells the rabbit that slow and steady wins the race!

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Now that?

Try applying the plot diagram to one of your favorite books, movies, or short stories. You may find that many elements of theGraphicthey come as no surprise.

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