Plot and Structure:

The Development and

organization of Stories
Lecture by:
Elbert Olaso Baeta

Describes how the writers arrange

materials in accord with the general ideas
and purposes of their works. Unlike plot,
which is concerned with the confict or
conficts , structures defnes the layouts of
fctional works--- the way the story, play,
or narrative poem is shaped.
Structure:

Structure is about matters such as

placement, balance, recurring themes,
true and misleading conclusions,
suspense, and the imitation of models
or forms like reports, letters,
conversation, or confessions.

A story might be divided into

numbered sections or parts, or it might
begin in a countryside (or one state)
and conclude in a city(or in another
state), or it might develop a relationship
between two people from their frst
introduction to their falling in love.

To study structure is to study

such arrangements and the
purposes for which they are
made.

Many aspects of structure are

common to all genres of
literature. The following aspects
forms a skeleton, a pattern of
development.

Is the laying out, the putting forth,

of the materials in the story---- the
main characters, their backgrounds,
and their characteristics, interests,
goals, limitations, potentials and
basic assumptions.
Exposition

It may not be limited to the beginning of the

work, where it is most expected, but may be
found anywhere. Thus intricacies, twist, turns,
false leads, blind alleys, surprises, and other
quirks may be introduced to interest, perplex,
intrigues, and otherwise please readers.
Whenever something new arises, to the degree
that it is new it is part of exposition.

Is the onset of the major confict---- the

plot. The major participants are
protagonist and antagonist, together with
whatever ideas and values they represent,
such as good or evil, freedom or
oppression, independence or
dependence, love or hate, intelligence or
stupidity, or knowledge or ignorance.
Complications

(Greek for turning Point) is the

separation between what has gone
before and what will come after,
usually a decision or action
undertaken to resolve the confict
Crisis

The crisis is that point at which curiosity

uncertainty, and tension are greatest.
Usually crisis is followed closely by the
next stage, the climax. Often, in fact, the
two occur so closely together that they are
considered the same.

(Greek for ladder) is a consequence

of the crisis, it is the storys high
point. It may take the shape of a
decision, an action, an afrmation or
denial, or an illumination or
realization.
Climax

The climax is the logical conclusion

of the preceding actions; no new
major development follow it. In most
stories, the climax occurs at the end
or close to it.

The resolution (a releasing or untying)

denouement(untying) is the completing
of the story after the climax, for once the
climax has occurred, the storys tension
and uncertainty are fnished, and most
authors conclude quickly to avoid losing
their readers interest.
Resolution or
Denouement

End