Lois & Clark Forums Forums Fan Fiction Fanfic Related Story/Plot structure

The Greeks (Aristotle, most importantly) were the first to analyze the structures of plots and their ideas have influenced writers over the centuries. Another way to look at it is that plots have evolved this way because writers write for readers, and it seems that readers generally like plots that develop as follows:

I EXPOSITION (introduction stage)

The EXPOSITION introduces or exposes the reader to the beginning "facts" of the story: the who of CHARACTER, the when and where of SETTING, the opening MOOD or atmosphere, the ideas of THEME, the window of viewpoint and any additional details or actions that prepare the reader to understand the plot. Often expository details act as clues or hints about what will happen next. Such clues are called FORESHADOWING.

II COMPLICATION (conflict or problem stage, rising action)

The COMPLICATION stage introduces and develops the story's CONFLICT or problem. CONFLICT is when two opposing forces meet. There are two ways that conflict is typically classified:


A.
Conflict may be distinguished by whether the source of the conflict is inside or outside the character. The terms for this are INTERNAL or EXTERNAL conflict.




B.
Conflict can be classified by the type of antagonistic force. Standard conflicts are: Human VS Human, Human VS Self, Human VS Nature, Human VS Beast (machine), or Human VS Society. Obviously, a character may have more than one conflict at a time.




C.
In addition, the first event that introduces the conflict is called the PRECIPITATING INCIDENT. Once the conflict is clear, it is followed by a SERIES OF INCIDENTS that serve to heighten the tension by complicating the problem. This period of escalating conflict is called the RISING ACTION.


III TURNING POINT (solution stage, falling action)

This is where the plot turns toward a RESOLUTION of the CONFLICT. This stage is referred to in two different ways, depending on the situation:


A.
CLIMAX: The CLIMAX is the moment of greatest suspense, the moment when the story's plot "turns" and begins moving towards a resolution. The Greeks called this moment CRISIS.




B.
EPIPHANY: An EPIPHANY is when a character has a sudden realization or insight into the nature of his conflict. This new understanding causes the plot to "turn" from conflict to resolution. This modern term was coined by James Joyce to describe the resolutions in his short story collection Dubliners.


IV RESOLUTION (falling action, catastrophe, denouement)

In this stage the plot's conflict is resolved. In a TRAGEDY, where the hero self-destructs and destroys others, there are sometimes scenes that suggest that the final disaster or CATASTROPHE may be avoided. Such a scene is called the MOMENT OF FINAL SUSPENSE.

Also, as a tragic or sad plot moves toward its final resolution, RELIEF SCENES may occur which give the reader an emotional break, suggest the passage of time, or that present necessary information.

Lastly, if the final scene includes an ingenious "untying of the knot" that both resolves the conflict and reveals secrets and eliminates misunderstandings, then it is called the DENOUEMENT.

But there is another possibility, structurally speaking. Novellas are sometimes
structured without rising action in the classic (causal / elegeic) manner, leading to a moment of crisis. Novellas are sometimes built as a series of revelations, recognitions or epiphanies -- beginning with smaller recognitions
and growing larger until we reach the final AHA! moment. In romance, of course, the final epiphany would be the recognition that this other person is your one true love. And the plot, then, would consist of moments of greater and greater emotional awareness leading up to that final recognition.

The middle part of a stroy is a messy thing to write.