"A sequence of events in which each event affects the next one through the principle of cause-and-effect."
Understanding the basic structure of a short story like exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
Exposition: The beginning part of a short story which establishes the setting, tone, characters, and background information necessary for the reader to understand the story.
Rising Action: This is the series of events in a short story that build up to the climax of the story. It includes the introduction of conflict and obstacles.
Conflict: The opposing forces or tension within a short story that create drama and interest for the reader.
Crisis: The turning point or point of decision for the protagonist in a short story. It can be a moment of truth or realization that will have a significant impact on the story’s outcome.
Climax: The highest point of tension in a short story when the crisis is resolved. It is the emotional peak of the story.
Falling Action: The events that follow the climax and lead up to the resolution.
Resolution: The end of the story when the conflict is resolved, and loose ends are tied up. It can be an open or closed ending.
Denouement: The final part of a short story that wraps up everything and provides closure to the story.
Plot Twist: An unexpected turn of events that alters the course of the story, leading to a sudden and exciting conclusion.
Backstory: The history of a character or event in the short story that occurred before the beginning of the story.
Flashback: A narrative technique used to show events that occurred in the past.
Foreshadowing: A technique used to hint at future events in the story, creating tension and anticipation for the reader.
Point of View: The perspective from which the story is told. It can be first person, third person omniscient or limited, and second person.
Setting: The time and place in which the events of the short story take place.
Mood: The emotional atmosphere created by the story.
Theme: The central idea or message conveyed by the story.
Linear plot: A plot that follows a chronological sequence of events from beginning to end.
Non-linear plot: A plot that disrupts the chronological sequence of events and jumps around in time.
In media res plot: A plot that starts in the middle of the action, rather than the beginning.
Flashback plot: A plot that interrupts the present action to show events that happened in the past.
Frame story plot: A plot that uses a framing device, such as a storyteller or narrative within a narrative, to structure the plot.
Epistolary plot: A plot that uses letters, journals, or other written communication as the narrative structure.
Stream of consciousness plot: A plot that follows a character's thoughts and emotions in a non-linear, often fragmented manner.
Circular plot: A plot where the story ends where it began, creating a sense of closure or circularity.
Quest plot: A plot where the protagonist is on a mission or journey to find something or achieve a goal.
Bildungsroman plot: A plot that follows the development of a protagonist from adolescence to adulthood.
Irony plot: A plot that uses irony, often through unexpected plot twists, to create meaning or commentary.
Mystery plot: A plot that involves solving a mystery or crime, often through a series of clues and false leads.
"The causal events of a plot can be thought of as a series of events linked by the connector 'and so'."
"Plots can vary from the simple—such as in a traditional ballad—to forming complex interwoven structures."
"Each part sometimes referred to as a subplot or imbroglio."
"Plot is similar in meaning to the term storyline."
"The term highlights important points which have consequences within the story."
"Referring to either the writer's crafting of a plot (devising and ordering story events), or else to a character's planning of future actions in the story."
"In common usage, for example, a 'movie plot' can mean a narrative summary or story synopsis, rather than a specific cause-and-effect sequence."
"It can even refer to the whole narrative broadly."
"Each event affects the next one through the principle of cause-and-effect."
"Plots can vary from the simple—such as in a traditional ballad—to forming complex interwoven structures."
"Each part sometimes referred to as a subplot or imbroglio."
"Plot is similar in meaning to the term storyline."
"The term highlights important points which have consequences within the story."
"Referring to either the writer's crafting of a plot (devising and ordering story events), or else to a character's planning of future actions in the story."
"In common usage, for example, a 'movie plot' can mean a narrative summary or story synopsis, rather than a specific cause-and-effect sequence."
"It can even refer to the whole narrative broadly."
"The principle of cause-and-effect."
"From the simple—such as in a traditional ballad—to forming complex interwoven structures."
"Each part sometimes referred to as a subplot or imbroglio."