Plot and Written Work

The plot is the most important part of any film or piece of writing that you can think of. Quality novels such as Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice start with the most important event in the story to capture the reader’s attention. Inexperienced writers often neglect the plot thinking that it is dull and not as important as the content and characterisation in the play or story. I think that three act structure is ideal for as it will help me to write a simple, yet powerful short story. I agree with British author Christopher Booker suggests that the three act plot is one of the simplest, most popular forms of narrative as people find that they can understand and relate to them.1 The three act plot is ideal for people of all ages as they can appreciate the logical structure of what they are reading or viewing.

Theorists such as Roland Barthes suggest that links give the story substance which encourages people to keep reading to the end of the story. 2 Writers use simple techniques such as flash backs, reflective moments and psychological scenes to link the story from one act to another. Conflict is necessary when creating a plot; however, it is particularly important for the three plot structure as it makes the imaginary world come alive for anyone who reads the work. Vicki King ‘defines conflict in a more informal manner as reacting in an old way to a new event’.3 Characters use the same methods in the simple structure as they struggle to succeed in their task and triumph over their problems.

Beginning: Maria finds herself sitting at her desk at work with her hands placed in front of her. She finds herself glancing at the clock above her hoping that it would tell her that she could go home. Suddenly she sees a folded piece of paper lying inches away from her finger tips.

Middle: Maria discovered that she would have the adventure of a life time as that strange, simple, note, forced her to travel around the world to find the hidden jewels. She is caught twice and interrogated by her Eastern European captors before managing to escape and return to her hotel room.

End: The jewels are finally recovered in a remote corner of Europe and were returned to their owner. Maria returns home to her former life knowing that she would return to the countries of her dreams again someday and enjoy their majestic beauty for as long as she wished.

References

Barthes, R 1977, Image, Music, Text, Hill and Wang, New York.

Booker, C 2004, The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories, Continuum, New York.

King, V 1988, How to Write A Movie in 21 Days: The Inner Movie Method, Harper Collins, New York.