What Are the Mechanics of Story and Plot?

“Narrative structure is about two things: the content of a story and the form used to tell the story.
Two common ways to describe these two parts of narrative structure are story and plot.”

In other words, narrative structure is the way the story and plot are utilized in a movie. In the
previous chapter, we discussed the format for stories based on the genre. Plot was just referred to
as inner conflict. We will now take the story and plot, discussing them in general terms without a
specific genre in mind.

The narrative structure, as the term suggests, is the structural framework for a movie. The story is
the action of the movie, and the plot is how the story is told. The narrative structure can be either
linear or nonlinear. Linear narrative structure is a movie that moves in chronological order.
Nonlinear structure is a movie that begins in the middle, also referred to as “in medias res.” The
story is told in flashbacks that proceed to the present day.

The formula for narrative structure so the parts and the function are easy to remember is: Story
(Action) + Plot = Narrative Structure.

So, if this is a complete overview of narrative structure, why is it so important that a whole chapter is
devoted to it? If the movie didn’t have any framework, would it make sense?

The framework provides the characters with something to accomplish and grow. Otherwise, they
would have no beginning, middle, and end. Time would be meaningless to them. As pointed out
above, time is one of the most meaningful parts of the narrative structure.

In order to discuss the narrative structure with meaningful detail, we have to discuss the two parts
of the narrative structure, the story and the plot. We will discuss the plot first, given that the plot
determines how the story is going to be told.

The Plot
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines plot as “a series of events that form the story in a novel,
movie, etc.” Previously, we discussed only one type of plot: inner conflict. However, at this point,
let’s expand the discussion of the plot. Many people have theorized the number of different plots,
each arriving at a different number of plots.

Ipl2 (Internet Public Library) addressed this statement in a Special Collections article entitled “The
‘Basic’ Plots in Literature.” In the ipl2 article, four people are discussed and the number of plots that
they have come up with based on their own theory. Each of their theories purports different
reasoning as to their specific numbers of basic plots. Foster-Harris in “The Basic Patterns of Plot”,
contends that there are three basic patterns of plot. IPL volunteer librarian Jessamyn West says
there are seven plots. Ronald B. Tobias in “20 Master Plots”, proposes twenty basic plots. Georges
Polti in “The Thirty-Six Dramatic Situations”, translated by Lucille Ray, states there are 36 plots.

Based on the aforementioned the number of plots range from three to seven to 20 to 36. There is no
specific number of plots. However, if you review their plot lists, how many plots are similar? Ronald
Tobias’ 20 plots list contains two plots referred to as love and forbidden love.What is the difference
between love and forbidden love? The plot of love can cover all love. In Polti’s list of 36 plots, the
plots are very specific, such as slaying of a kinsman unrecognized.

A plot should be general in order to not limit the story. So, overall, we will consider 10 basic plots
besides the general plot of inner conflict. The 10 plots are: quest, pursuit, rescue, revenge, the
riddle, underdog, temptation, transformation, love, and discovery. Each plot is different enough to
yield different action in the story.

Any more than these 10 plots and inner conflict will narrow the scope of the plot. The narrower the
scope of the plot, the more restricted the action of the story.

The Story
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines story as “an account of incidents or events.”

The story or the account of the events can be split up into six parts:

The exposition is the beginning of the movie where the main characters of the movie are introduced
and the viewer finds out something about the characters.

The complication is the conflict that the protagonist must face, struggle with, and resolve by the end
of the movie.

The rising action is a series of sequences of action where the protagonist experiences advances and
setbacks, moving toward the resolution of the conflict.

The climax is the high point of the movie where the protagonist, based on the knowledge gained
from the rising action, determines what the final action needs to be taken in order to resolve the
conflict.

The falling action ties up or resolves any minor loose story ends.

The denouement is the ending of the movie.

We will diagram these six parts into more specific and familiar detail, so the parts form a
continuous flow:

The exposition and conflict form the beginning of the story.

The rising action and the climax form the middle of the story, and

The falling action and the resolution form the end of the story.

Understanding and Implementing Plot Structure for Films and Screenplays

What Are Plot and Story?
So, what is a plot? Looking into purely literary terms, a plot is simply: “The plan, scheme, or
main story of a literary or dramatic work, as a play, novel, or short story.” Although, for our
film purposes, it’s probably best to go with the functional definition: “The sequence of
events where each affects the next one.” Basically, this just means the plot is what happens
and in what order.
A story, on the other hand, is “an account of imaginary or real people and events told for
entertainment,” which is slightly different in that it accounts for the sensational elements of
things that may or may not have actually happened and are presented for entertainment
purposes.
Both roughly mean the same thing. However, for the purposes of screenwriting and
filmmaking, the plot represents the structure, while the story stands for the substance.
You can see the difference in the video above in which novelist Kurt Vonnegut outlines the
“Shape of Stories” by giving a very systematic plot diagram, then explains how the story
defines the emotions and how we connect with the different feelings contained within.
The Basics of Plot Structure

Plot structure is a smart way to plan and work with film, as the whole process is very
methodical in how it’s created and presented from one shot to the next. It’s also important
that we talk about just how fundamental plot structuring is to how we understand film. Of
course, while there are experiments and outliers, the majority of all film projects follow
some of the same basic plot structures.
The first — and perhaps most basic — plot structure is the three act structure. This is one of
the oldest structures to any film, literature, or storytelling form, and it could be argued that
it’s a part of the core building blocks of all other structures and stories. There’s more to read
about the three-act, but the basics include:
The First Act: Exposition and introduction to the crucial story elements.
The Second Act: A problem is defined and confronted as the stakes are raised.
The Third Act: The problem is solved with a climax and we have reflection.
What many would call the second most well-known plot structure would be Freytag’s Five
Part Pyramid, which itself is based on early theories of story from the ancient Greeks. These
five parts (sometimes six) might be familiar to anyone who’s dabbled in literature or art. The
basics include:
Exposition: An introduction of the protagonist(s), antagonist(s), and the stakes.
Rising Action: A conflict is introduced and the protagonist’s journey begins.
Climax: The protagonist faces off against the central antagonist/conflict in a battle.
Falling Action: All the character’s actions are resolved and an outcome is reached.
Denouement: The conflict is concluded and we see what happens to the characters in the
future.
The Hero’s Journey Circle

From there, as we go further specifically into plot structure for film and entertainment, we
move onto exploring the Monomyth and Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey. This plot and
story structure is as old as humankind itself and encompasses all the elements from before.
It’s perhaps our most nuanced take on how stories are structured and the individual plot
points you need to use (or at least understand) for your projects.
You can read more in depth on the Hero’s Journey as it regards to filmmakers, but let’s go
over some of the important tenets including the three basic parts:
The Departure
The Initiation
The Return
Sounds similar to the three-act structure, right?. However, the Hero’s Journey has more
steps within. Additionally, it can be perceived not as a linear line, but actually more of a
comprehensive circle that brings the audience back to where the story began.

The Ordinary World

The Call to Adventure
Refusal of the Call
Meeting with the Mentor
Crossing the Threshold to the Special World
Tests, Allies, and Enemies
Approach to the Innermost Cave
The Ordeal
The Reward
The Road Back
The Resurrection
Return with the Elixir