Plot and Cause & Effect

Plot Plot is a literary term – the significant events of the story (what happens) Includes how events relate to one another in: A pattern A sequence Through cause and effect

Narrative Narrative is another word for a story It is an account of connected events (plot)

Most stories have a plot where “Event A” (the introduction) occurs, leading to “Event B” and then “Event C” and so on.

Most stories follow a basic plot line that is intended to keep the reader interested in the word, whether it is a movie, a novel, a play, or a short story. The plot is the way the events unfold in a story.

The basic elements of plot include items shown in the graphic to the right:

The Capture of Father Time by L. Frank Baum Please read the short story “The Capture of Father Time” After reading it once, read the story again, taking notes on what happens as you read through it. When you are finished, highlight or underline the parts of your notes that indicate the introduction, inciting force, rising action, climax and conclusion.