PLOT DEVELOPMENT

LESSON 4

 The Plot of a story is made up of a series of related events that include the
conflict, the climax, and the resolution.

• - is a struggle between opposing people or forces.

Conflict

• is the turning point in the story, the point at which the conflict comes
to a head.
Climax

• - shows how the situation turns out and ties up loose

ends.
Resolution

• At the beginning of a story- also a part of the plot- the author may
provide background information, which sets the scene for the
conflict. As the story proceeds, this information may introduce
Exposition- complications that keep the plot from moving too smoothly toward
resolution.

 In the poetics, Aristotle said that the plot is the most important element of a
play; even more important than character itself. If the events that make up the
plot are not striking or are lacking tension, the desired goal in playwriting will
not be achieved. The playwright must devote time in establishing an effective
plot.
LET’S ENERGIZE!
Connect the following events taken from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet for each main event:
Exposition, Rising action, Climax, Falling action and Denouement.

In the balcony, Romeo

and Juliet confess their
love for each other and
agree that they will
marry the following
morning.
Mercutio and Benvolio
confront Tybalt. Romeo In Mantua,
comes from the secret Romeo hears the
wedding. Tybalt asks for a news from
duel with Romeo. Romeo Balthazar that
disagrees; Mercutio accepts Juliet died.
the challenge.

Romeo sees Romeo goes to the

Juliet at the apothecary and
party, and fall avails of a poison.
for each other. Romeo drinks the
poison. Juliet regains
consciousness, and
Friar Laurence asks
her to leave. Juliet
ends her life.

Put the significant events in chronological order. Fill out the table below with the
corresponding events.

EXPOSITION

RISING ACTION

CLIMAX

FALLING ACTION

DENOUEMENT
Answer:

EXPOSITION In the balcony, Romeo and Juliet confess their love

for each other and agree that they will marry the
following morning.

RISING ACTION In Mantua, Romeo hears the news from Balthasar that
Juliet died.

CLIMAX Mercutio and Benvolio confront Tybalt. Romeo

comes from the secret wedding. Tybalt asks for a duel
with Romeo. Romeo disagree; Mercutio accepts the
challenge.
Tybalt slays Mercutio; then Romeo shoots Tybalt.
The Prince demands that Romeo be exiled.

FALLING ACTION Romeo goes to the apothecary and avails of a poison.

, and Friar Laurence asks her to leave. Juliet ends her life.
DENOUEMENT Romeo drinks the poison. Juliet regains
consciousness, and Friar Laurence asks her to leave.
Juliet ends her life.

DISCUSSION:
The Plot, whether in short stories or in drama, deals with incidents encountered by the
characters. It provides an idea regarding the ways in which the incidents occur, the reasons for
the occurrences, and the repercussions of the characters’ decisions. The playwright may decide
on the simplicity or complexity of the plot, and this relies on the play’s central idea.
Some plots are compressed into a single unit, while others have subplots within the plot or have
a complex plot line. The plot line is also depends on the type of drama chosen. Will the story
have a happy ending or a distressing one?
Whether it is tragic or comical, the story line deals with the complication involving the
characters. The plot may revolve around a conflict that focuses on a central character’s inner
struggle, a sociopolitical issue, a clash between cultures or beliefs, or even a complication
caused by a disasters and supernatural beings. The conflict allows the playwright to form the
character’s goal, and to direct the flow of events. Choosing a conflict for a play requires careful
planning, because it makes your play substantial and worth watching. It can also leave a lasting
impact on the audience.
In playwriting, the plot is patterned after the plot development shown in short stories. The
exposition part of the play introduces the characters, setting and conflict. The first part serves
as an introduction and provides the audience an idea on what might happen to the characters.
The events that follow are referred to as the rising action which gives the audience a hint that
whether there is a solution to a problem or not. After the turning point, there is falling action
which are incidents that give clues to the ending of the play. Lastly, the play ends with the
denouement or Resolution. It uncovers the solution to the problem or the result of the
characters’ actions.
The playwright determines the order of events in a play. The writer might opt to present the
incidents using a different pattern. The play may not begin with the exposition, but instead it
starts in the middle of an action, otherwise known as en medias res. This type of story begins
with climax, and the succeeding parts of the play disclose previous incidents which give the
background. Some playwrights even use the reverse order in which the play begins with the
ending, and the events that follow are presented backwards.
LET’S CHECK!
As a form of review, match the descriptions in column A with their corresponding terms in
Column B.
A B
1. The part of the play introducing the a. Climax
characters, settings and conflict.
2. The incidents which give the audience a hint b. Denouement
that an overwhelming event will occur soon.
3. The highest or turning point of the play. c. Falling action
4. It gives incidents that provide clues to the d. Exposition
ending of the play.
5. It uncovers the solution to the problem or e. Rising action
the result of the characters’ action.
Answers:
1. D. Exposition
2. E. Rising Action
3. A. Climax
4. C. Falling Action
5. B. Denouement
Prepared by:
ROSELYN R. DACILLO
GINALYN RAMONAL
LEZCIL KAGUING
SUBMITTED ON: August 11, 2019

Prepared for:
Mr. Morales
English 5 Instructor