LAN 105
10/01/19
PLOT STRUCTURE
Plot
 At its heart, plot is simply the term used to
describe the events that make up a story.
 These events should relate to each other in
some way, to create a sequence.
 The structure of a text, however, depends
on how the author chooses to order the
events of their plot.
 It is the backbone of the text for it shows
us the arrangement of the events in the
story.
Plot Structures
- Medias Res
- Chronological Order
- Stream of Consciousness
- Flashbacking
- Foreshadowing
CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER
o Most plot can be outlined using the
following structure:
 Exposition – characters, setting,
and conflict are introduced
 Rising Action – the situation
surrounding the conflict becomes
complicated and the stakes are
raised
 Climax – the turning point of a
story, when the conflict reaches
its boiling point and tensions are
highest
 Falling Action – after the climax,
when the conflict begins to be
resolved
 Denouement – the very ending of
a story, where everything is
wrapped up 9or not)
MEDIAS RES
o Literally, in medias res means “in the
midst of things”
o In the context of literature, this term refers
to a story that starts in the middle of the
action, usually skipping (at least at first)
the exposition stage.
o Texts that utilize in medias res will often
use flashbacks or elements of non-linear
narrative later on fill in the missing parts
of the story.
STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS
o A literary technique in which the narration
attempts to provide the character’s internal
thought processes, often using the
technique of internal monologue.
o As with most thought, stream of
consciousness sometimes does not follow
logical patterns – a character might have a
thought or memory triggered by
something and then shift attention entirely
to that thing.
o This is largely used to deeply explore
characters and their internal struggles and
conflicts.
FLASHBACKING
o Common technique that authors use to
manipulate the chronology of their plots.
o Definition: The literary technique of
giving an account of a conversation, an
episode, or an event that happened before
the main chronological sequence of the
narrative.
o Flashbacks can be used to reveal crucial
backstory to help develop the characters or
the plot.
FORESHADOWING
o Less commonly used is the flash forward.
o Definition: The literary technique in which
the chronological sequence of events is
interrupted by the interjection of a future
event.
o The purpose of flash forwards varies,
though in general, they are used to reveal
the outcome of an event or to create
suspense and tension.