This week we are discussing plot, specifically of the novel we just finished reading, The Outsiders. First, we need to define and use the word plot.

So, what is a plot?

Other than a piece of land or a scheme (both of which are extraneous for this discussion), plot can be used to describe the action or conflict of a story.

So why do we need to discuss the action of stories? Why is this important?

All stories have something in common: Action. (Yes, capital A is needed.) But is action really that important?

Close your eyes and try to make a story with no action. What does it look like?

Now, is that not a boring story? Stories, or works, exist that have no real driving action, but these stories are not often read because of the sheer boring-ness of them.

Now that we have decided that action is important for stories, what can we do with this information? I mean, it's not useful if we can't USE it.

Most of our favorite stories have one of seven typical plots. These plots are descriptions of the events that generalize the story. We will be looking at all seven and examples of each. We can also compare the stories with each other.

The first of the seven is overcoming the monster. This is where the protagonist (hero) sets out to defeat an antagonistic force (monster) which threatens the protagonist or protagonist's homeland.

The second is the rags to riches story. We've all heard it: the poor hero (protagonist) acquires things like power, wealth, and a mate, before losing it all and gaining it back when he or she grows up.

This is the basis of almost every adventure story: The hero and some friends set out to acquire an important object or to get to a location, facing many obstacles and temptations along the way.

This differs from the quest. DO NOT CONFUSE THE TWO! The hero goes to a strange land and, after overcoming the threats it poses to him/her, returns with NOTHING BUT EXPERIENCE. They do not bring back a ring or treasure, and they do not stay in the strange land.

This is simply a story that ends happily. This does not always equal funny (though it often is) and there is usually a series of misunderstandings.

There are two takes on tragedy: a flawed hero meets an end that is less than fortunate (i.e. death) OR the protagonist is a villain who falls from grace and whose death is a happy ending.

This one is very enjoyable: an unlikable character redeems him- or herself over the course of the story. Happy endings, and God bless us, every one!

Your turn to think!
Think about the plot of Star Wars: A New Hope. What does it entail? Who is the protagonist? What does he or she do? How does he or she get there.
Which kind of plot is this?

Hooray! The answer is Overcome the Monster.
Luke Skywalker is threatened by an Empire, and more specifically Darth Vader, that he has to bring down in order to save himself and his friends.