“In nearly all good fiction, the basic—all but inescapable—plot form is this:A central character wants something, goes after it despite opposition (perhaps including his own doubts), and so arrives at a win, lose, or draw.” ~ John Gardner

The plot is what happens during a story.It’s the series of events in a story that are connected.These events will build as the story develops.Hopefully, readers will become invested in the characters and what happens to them during the story.

Going back to the Spiderman example:Peter Parker getting bit by the radioactive spider is probably the first major event in the story.He doesn’t get bit until over 30 minutes into the movie.Everything else that happens in those 30 minutes is background information or exposition.A writer needs to set up the situation first and introduce the characters.When the plot starts to thicken, you will know enough to follow the action and sympathize with the characters to care.Stephen King, writer of all things evil and creepy, said, “I try to create sympathy for my characters; then turn the monsters loose.”

The graphic organizer below is good for showing the parts of the plot.If you think it looks similar to the sequence graphic organizer from the last unit, you’re right.The sequence graphic organizer showed the steps in a process or procedure.In a sense the plot of a story is the same.It helps organize a series of events.Pick out the most important parts of the story and feel free to use as many boxes as necessary.

Click hereto view the Conflict plot map.

Assignment:Read “Responsibility and Corruption on Elm Avenue” by Corbitt Nesta.Pay attention to plot and conflict in the story.Complete the graphic organizers for the plot and the conflict for the story.

Click here for blank Sequence plot map.

Click here for blank Conflict plot map.

Directions:Follow this link to the Short Story website:http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories  You can find the specific short story by typing in the title of the story in the search box, which is located in the top right corner of the webpage.