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Literary Devices

Literary Element

Plot

Plot is the organized arrangement of actions and events in a narrative, including their causal, temporal, and thematic relationships. Plot includes what is presented and how the narrative orders, connects, and reveals it.

Plot is the organized pattern of actions and events in a narrative, including the causal, temporal, and thematic connections among them. It is not merely everything that happens or a required formula of conflict and resolution.

A lost key causes Mira to miss the train, where she would have met the witness.
Cause and consequence make the events part of plot.

See it in language

Examples of Plot

  1. A lost key causes Mira to miss the train, where she would have met the witness.

    Instructional example

  2. The novel reveals the theft first and the motive later.

    Instructional example

    Plot includes the chosen order of disclosure.

  3. Several quiet scenes converge when each character arrives at the same hearing.

    Instructional example

    Separate event lines are organized into one pattern.

Show more examples
  1. "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald: The plot of this novel follows the main character, Jay Gatsby, as he attempts to win back his former love, Daisy Buchanan, by throwing extravagant parties and amassing a great fortune. The plot is structured around the central conflict of Gatsby's pursuit of Daisy, and includes several twists and turns that keep the reader engaged.
  2. "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee: The plot of this novel revolves around the trial of Tom Robinson, a black man falsely accused of raping a white woman in the Deep South during the 1930s. The plot is structured around the central conflict of the trial and its impact on the small town of Maycomb, Alabama.
  3. "The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien: The plot of this epic fantasy novel follows Frodo Baggins and his companions as they attempt to destroy the One Ring and defeat the dark lord Sauron. The plot is structured around the central conflict of the quest to destroy the Ring, and includes numerous subplots and twists that keep the reader engaged.
  4. "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen: The plot of this classic novel centers around the romantic relationships of the Bennet sisters, particularly the eldest sister, Elizabeth, and the wealthy Mr. Darcy. The plot is structured around the central conflict of Elizabeth's pride and Darcy's prejudice, and includes several misunderstandings and obstacles that must be overcome for the two to be together.

Read like an editor

How to recognize it

  1. Define Plot by its central function, not merely by a nearby feature.
  2. Check the surrounding context before deciding that Plot applies.
  3. Explain what the classification helps a reader understand about the passage or work.

Questions readers ask

Frequently asked questions

What is the clearest way to recognize Plot?

Use the defining criteria and confirm them against the surrounding context rather than relying on one isolated word.

Is Plot a literary device?

No. In this reference architecture it is classified as literary element.