{"id":4118,"date":"2013-06-27T17:50:03","date_gmt":"2013-06-27T17:50:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/?page_id=4118"},"modified":"2026-03-28T11:03:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-28T16:03:11","slug":"plotline","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/plotline\/","title":{"rendered":"Plot Line"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t\t<div id=\"mmDeferVideoEncompass_pGw37_06-Dk\" style=\"position: relative;\">\n\t\t\t<picture>\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\">\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.png\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"> \n\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"eager\" id=\"videoThumbnailImage_pGw37_06-Dk\" data-source-videoID=\"pGw37_06-Dk\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.png\" alt=\"Plot Line Video\" height=\"464\" width=\"825\" class=\"size-full\" data-matomo-title = \"Plot Line\">\n\t\t\t<\/picture>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<style>img#videoThumbnailImage_pGw37_06-Dk:hover {cursor:pointer;} img#videoThumbnailImage_pGw37_06-Dk {background-size:contain;background-image:url(\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/updated-plot-line-64c012c5a5e6a.webp\");}<\/style>\n\t\t\t<script defer>\n\t\t\t  jQuery(\"img#videoThumbnailImage_pGw37_06-Dk\").click(function() {\n\t\t\t\tlet videoId = jQuery(this).attr(\"data-source-videoID\");\n\t\t\t\tlet helpTag = '<div id=\"mmDeferVideoYTMessage_pGw37_06-Dk\" style=\"display: none;position: absolute;top: -24px;width: 100%;text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;font-size: small;border-top: 1px solid #fc0;\">Having trouble? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v='+videoId+'\" target=\"_blank\">Click here to watch on YouTube.<\/a><\/span><\/div>';\n\t\t\t\tlet tag = document.createElement(\"iframe\");\n\t\t\t\ttag.id = \"yt\" + videoId;\n\t\t\t\ttag.src = \"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/\" + videoId + \"?autoplay=1&controls=1&wmode=opaque&rel=0&egm=0&iv_load_policy=3&hd=0&enablejsapi=1\";\n\t\t\t\ttag.frameborder = 0;\n\t\t\t\ttag.allow = \"autoplay; fullscreen\";\n\t\t\t\ttag.width = this.width;\n\t\t\t\ttag.height = this.height;\n\t\t\t\ttag.setAttribute(\"data-matomo-title\",\"Plot Line\");\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoEncompass_pGw37_06-Dk\").html(tag);\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoEncompass_pGw37_06-Dk\").prepend(helpTag);\n\t\t\t\tsetTimeout(function(){jQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoYTMessage_pGw37_06-Dk\").css(\"display\", \"block\");}, 2000);\n\t\t\t  });\n\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t<\/script>\n\t\t\n<p><script>\nfunction Jk1_Function() {\n  var x = document.getElementById(\"Jk1\");\n  if (x.style.display === \"none\") {\n    x.style.display = \"block\";\n  } else {\n    x.style.display = \"none\";\n  }\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n<div class=\"moc-toc hide-on-desktop hide-on-tablet\">\n<div><button onclick=\"Jk1_Function()\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/toc2.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"show or hide table of contents\"><\/button><\/p>\n<p>On this page<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<nav id=\"Jk1\" style=\"display:none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#The_Elements_of_a_WellCrafted_Story\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">The Elements of a Well-Crafted Story<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Simple_vs_Complex\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Simple vs. Complex<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Review_Question\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Review Question<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"accordion\"><input id=\"transcript\" type=\"checkbox\" class=\"spoiler_button\" \/><label for=\"transcript\">Transcript<\/label>\n<div class=\"spoiler\" id=\"transcript-spoiler\">\n<p>Whether it\u2019s a simple tale like <em>The Three Little Pigs<\/em> or a long-winded play like the tragedy of <em>Hamlet<\/em>, a well-told story will always have a defined plot.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"The_Elements_of_a_WellCrafted_Story\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>The Elements of a Well-Crafted Story<\/h2>\n<p>\nA plot is the sequence of main events in a story. These events generally take place in a specific order, which gives the story a specific structure. This structure can be divided into five basic elements: <strong>Exposition<\/strong>, <strong>rising action<\/strong>, <strong>climax<\/strong>, <strong>falling action<\/strong> and the <strong>resolution<\/strong>. Let\u2019s take a look at each of these.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-115379 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/image43-1.png\" alt=\"plot line diagram\" width=\"653\" height=\"327\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/image43-1.png 653w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/image43-1-300x150.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 653px) 100vw, 653px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The <strong>exposition<\/strong>, or beginning, of a plot sets the scene. It is the part of a story where the writer builds the world, sets the time frame, and introduces <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/characters\/\" class=\"ylist\">characters<\/a> to help the reader understand when and where things are taking place.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>rising action<\/strong> of a plot is where the story begins to develop. Conflicts are introduced that complicate the lives of the characters and create suspense. These tensions can be a cause of excitement or crisis as the characters deal with the conflict put in front of them.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>climax<\/strong> of a plot is when the tensions or actions have reached their peak and characters have reached a turning point in the story. From this point on, the reader is left to wonder what will happen next and if the tensions will be resolved.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>falling action<\/strong> of a plot occurs once the conflict from the onset of the story begins to resolve itself.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, the <strong>resolution<\/strong> of a plot is the last element to take place. The resolution is the conclusion of the story, which can be happy, tragic, or open for interpretation. Regardless, a well-written conclusion will make it clear that the story has come to an end.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Simple_vs_Complex\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Simple vs. Complex<\/h2>\n<p>\nThese are elements that storytellers have used for centuries. <\/p>\n<p>Back in 335 BC, Greek philosopher Aristotle wrote a book called <em>Poetics<\/em>, which talked about his theories about drama and storytelling. According to Aristotle, plots played a major role in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/structural-elements-of-poetry\/\" class=\"ylist\">structure of poetry<\/a> and tragedies during his time. In fact, to him, the plot, or <em>mythos<\/em>, was the most important element in a tragedy. He claims a plot should move from beginning, to middle, then to the end in an organized sequence where the beginning doesn\u2019t pick up from any previous event and the end ties up all loose threads within the story. <\/p>\n<p>Aristotle also believed there were two types of plots: simple and complex. Simple plots are a unified construct of probable actions with a change in fortune. This can be seen clearly in most clich\u00e9 horror movie plots: <\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\">Friends go on a road trip > car runs out of gas > friends find old house when searching for help > friends explore old house > someone gets attacked > friends fight for survival > someone gets away<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nThere is a chain of cause and effect events in this simple plot that move the story forward; however, a complex plot will have what\u2019s known as a reversal of fortune or a recognition in the story. A reversal of fortune is a pivotal point of the story where the protagonist experiences a change from being secure to being vulnerable. Recognition is a moment of insight where the protagonist understands their place in the larger story. <\/p>\n<p>An example of this can be seen in the character Macbeth from the play of the same name by William Shakespeare. Macbeth went from a content and quiet aristocrat to an overly ambitious and tyrannical King. This tyranny arose from the belief that, according to a prophecy, no one born of a woman could defeat him.<\/p>\n<p>This was a reversal in the plot. Because he took the prophecy literally, he felt invincible \u2014that is, until Macduff, who Shakespeare describes as being born via C-section, appears here. It\u2019s here Macbeth realizes the prophecy did not make him invincible, and he is defeated by Macduff. This is an example of recognition for both Macbeth and Macduff who realize their places within the story as the conflict between them is resolved.<\/p>\n<p>Okay, now that we\u2019ve learned what plots are, let\u2019s look at a quick review question to test your memory.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<h2><span id=\"Review_Question\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Review Question<\/h2>\n<p>Which of the following are the correct elements of a plot <strong>AND<\/strong> are in the correct order?<\/p>\n<ol style=\"list-style: upper-alpha;\">\n<li>Climax, falling action exposition, rising action, resolution.<\/li>\n<li>Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution.<\/li>\n<li>Exposition, elevation, climax, falling action and the end.<\/li>\n<li>Exposition, rising action, highlight, falling action and the resolution.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\">\n   <button class=\"buttontranscript\" onClick=\"toggle('Answer1')\">Show Answer<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"Answer1\" class=\"showanswer\">\n   <strong style=\"margin-bottom: 1em;\">The correct answer is B.<\/strong>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>I hope this review was helpful! Thanks for watching, and happy studying!<\/p>\n<ul class=\"citelist\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sparknotes.com\/philosophy\/poetics\/summary\/\"target=\"_blank\">\u201cSparkNotes: Poetics: Plot Overview.\u201d 2019. Sparknotes.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/screencraft.org\/2019\/05\/09\/do-you-know-the-two-types-of-plots-according-to-aristotle\/\"target=\"_blank\">Miyamoto, Ken. 2019. \u201cDo You Know the Two Types of Plots, according to Aristotle?\u201d ScreenCraft<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.english.hawaii.edu\/criticalink\/aristotle\/terms\/plot.html\"target=\"_blank\">\u201cAristotle: Poetics.\u201d n.d. Www.english.hawaii.edu<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sparknotes.com\/nofear\/shakespeare\/macbeth\/page_212\/\"target=\"_blank\">\u201cNo Fear Shakespeare: Macbeth: Act 5 Scene 8.\u201d 2019. Sparknotes.com<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"home-buttons\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/reading-comprehension\/\">Return to Reading Comprehension Videos<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script>\nfunction toggle(obj) {\n          var obj=document.getElementById(obj);\n          if (obj.style.display == \"block\") obj.style.display = \"none\";\n          else obj.style.display = \"block\";\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Return to Reading Comprehension Videos<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":186731,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-4118","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"page_category-reading-comprehension-videos","7":"page_category-video-pages-for-study-course-sidebar-ad","8":"page_type-video","9":"subject_matter-english"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4118","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4118"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4118\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":260707,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4118\/revisions\/260707"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/186731"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4118"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}