Plot

ii) PLOT OVERVIEW 

To write a plot overview, you need to read and understand the short story to be able to write a plot diagram. Here are some guidelines on how to write a plot overview ;

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1. Exposition : The beginning

Every story must have a beginning. The start, or exposition, is where the characters and setting are established. During this part of the novel, the conflict or main problem is also introduced.

    2. Rising Action : Introduction of the problem or conflict

After the characters and main problem have been established, the main problem or conflict is dealt with by some kind of action. In this part of the story, the main character is in crisis. This is the place for tension and excitement. The complication can arise through a character's conflict with society, nature, fate, or a number of themes. The main character is aware a conflict has arisen and takes some kind of step to battle this crisis.

   3. Climax : The high point 

The climax is the high point of the story. It is the main event or danger that the character faces. This is the darkest moment, the worst challenge the character must oppose. At this point it looks as if the character will fail, and will never get what he/she wants. The turning point may be either physical or emotional. In a romance, the girl may turn the hopeful lover down; in action story, the character may be surrounded by enemies with no enemies with no chance of escape.

   4. Falling Action : Winding down

Following the climax, the story begins to slowly wind down. Falling action, one of the two final story elements, shows the result of the actions or decisions the character has made. This eventually leads to the finals part of the novel, the crisis resolution.

   5. Resolution : The end

The resolution also often called denouement, which is French for "to untie" or "unraveling", is the conclusion of the story. Here, the conflicts are resolved, all loose ends are tied up and the story concludes with either a happy or sad ending.

As examples ;

The plot diagram from The Necklace is as follows :

• Exposition

"The Necklace" begins with a description of Madame Mathilde Loisel. Though she is pretty and charming, she and her husband, a clerk in the Ministry of Education, are not well off financially. She has always dreamed of a life of leisure with attentive servants and a large home, but her lifestyle is decidedly more modest. Ashamed of her social standing, she no longer visits Madame Forestier, and old school friend who has become rich.

• Rising Action

When the Loisels are invited to a ball, Madame Loisel becomes very upset, insisting that she has nothing appropriate to wear to such an event. Hoping to make his wife feel better, Monsieur Losiel offers to buy her a new dress. As the ball approaches, Madame Loisel again becomes anxious because she has no jewelleries to wear. She then decided to pays her old friend a visit the next day. She is welcomed and encouraged to borrow any piece of jewelry that she desires and she selected a beautiful diamond necklace.

• Climax

At the ball, Madame Loisel enjoys herself immensely and many men notice her. She dances until 4:00 in the morning and then she and her husband return home in a decrepit cab. She then realized that she has lost the diamond necklace. Her husband spends several hours retracing their steps but finds nothing. They decided to replace the necklace without telling Madame Forestier and they go heavily in debt.

• Falling Action

Years of toil and grueling work in an effort to repay their debt ages Madame Loisel so she looks quite older than her years. After ten long years of poverty, however, they finally pay off their entire debt. Still, Madame Loisel wistfully and fondly remembers the evening of the ball.

• Resolution

One fine day, Madame Loisel runs into Madame Forestier, who still looks young and beautiful. Madame Loisel tell her friend the whole story. Madame Forestier, who has not realized that her necklace had been replaced with another, reveals that the original, made of imitation diamonds, was not valuable.

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We hope this helps ! Regards.