SUMMARIZING A PLOT What is a plot? How are plots structured? What key terms are associated with plot? Copyright © 2015 The Teacher Writing Center, a division of SG Consulting, Inc. 

Warm-Up What does this image show?

Do you notice how the line rises to a peak and then falls back down?

Discuss Responses Look at the image again. Read the labels. This is a plot diagram.

Plot refers to the way in which an author organizes the events in a story or drama.

Five Parts of a Plot Every story or drama unfolds in a series of episodes that we call the plot. Generally, a plot contains five key parts:

Take a closer look … Let’s look at the plot of “Romeo and Juliet” and read a summary of what happens in each part of that play. When you’re asked to summarize a plot, you should tell what happens in each of these parts. William Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet in Since then, it has been performed on many stages. Movies also have been made of the story.

1. Introduction/Exposition In the introduction (or “exposition”), the author introduces the reader to the setting, characters, and problem. We learn in the introduction of Romeo and Juliet that the play is set during the Renaissance in Verona, Italy. Two noble families— the Montagues and Capulets—are in a bitter feud.

2. Rising Action In the rising action, the author presents a series of events or complications that lead to the climax of the story. Romeo meets and falls in love with Juliet, not realizing they are from warring families. Violence breaks out and a member of each family is killed.

3. Climax The climax is the high point or most intense part of the story. Juliet drinks a potion that makes her appear dead so that she doesn’t have to marry another man. When Romeo sees her “dead” body, he drinks poison and kills himself. Juliet then stabs herself with Romeo’s dagger and dies as well.

4. Falling Action The falling action refers to the series of events that lead to the conclusion of the story. The families of Romeo and Juliet arrive and realize what has happened.

5. Resolution (Solution or Conclusion) During the resolution – the final part of the story – the author wraps up or resolves the points of the story and makes a final statement. The families of Romeo and Juliet agree to end their long feud.

For Reference and More Practice … Refer to the Summarizing a Plot Student Reference Sheet.Summarizing a Plot