Glossary
Adventure
A dramatic situation focused on action, danger, and a quest, where characters embark on a perilous journey or undertake a challenging mission.
Example:
The epic poem chronicled the hero's perilous adventure across treacherous seas and mythical lands to retrieve a lost artifact.
Chronological
A plot structure where events are presented in the exact order they occurred, following a timeline from beginning to end.
Example:
A biography detailing a person's life from birth to death typically employs a chronological structure.
Comedy
A dramatic situation typically characterized by lighthearted and humorous events, often involving misunderstandings or absurdities, that lead to a happy or satisfying resolution.
Example:
The play's mistaken identities and witty banter created a delightful comedy, culminating in a joyous wedding.
Cyclical
A plot structure where events or themes repeat in a circular pattern, often ending where they began or returning to a similar state, suggesting a lack of true resolution or ongoing recurrence.
Example:
The protagonist's repeated failures to escape their hometown, despite numerous attempts, illustrated a cyclical plot, emphasizing the inescapable nature of their circumstances.
Dramatic Situation
The foundational context of a narrative, encompassing the setting, action, and conflicts that place characters in specific circumstances and often involve their rising or falling fortunes.
Example:
The dramatic situation of a lone survivor stranded on a deserted island immediately establishes a struggle for survival against nature.
Episodic
A plot structure broken into loosely connected episodes or segments, where each part may have its own mini-narrative but contributes to a broader, less tightly integrated story.
Example:
The travelogue was episodic, with each chapter detailing a different city the author visited, offering distinct experiences that collectively formed a journey.
Fantasy
A dramatic situation set in an imaginary world, often featuring magical elements, mythical creatures, and supernatural forces.
Example:
The novel transported readers to a vibrant fantasy realm filled with dragons, ancient prophecies, and powerful sorcerers.
Linear
A plot structure where events follow a clear cause-and-effect sequence, often progressing directly from one point to the next without significant deviations.
Example:
Many classic quest narratives follow a linear plot, where the hero faces challenges sequentially on their journey to achieve a specific goal.
Mystery
A dramatic situation revolving around an unexplained event, crime, or secret that needs to be solved, often involving clues, suspects, and a detective figure.
Example:
The old mansion held a chilling mystery concerning the disappearance of its former owner, which the new residents were determined to unravel.
Non-chronological
A plot structure where events are presented out of their natural order, often utilizing techniques like flashbacks or flash-forwards to reveal information.
Example:
The detective story used a non-chronological approach, starting with the discovery of the crime and then jumping back in time to reveal the killer's motives.
Plot
The sequence of events in a narrative, connected by cause and effect, which provides direction, purpose, and meaning to the story.
Example:
The intricate plot of the mystery novel kept readers guessing until the very last page, with every twist building towards the final revelation.
Romance
A dramatic situation centered around a love story, often involving obstacles, emotional development, and the eventual union or separation of the lovers.
Example:
Pride and Prejudice is a quintessential romance, exploring the evolving relationship between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy amidst societal pressures.
Sequencing
The strategic order in which a writer chooses to present events in a narrative, significantly impacting how the reader understands and feels about the story.
Example:
The author's deliberate sequencing of events, starting with the tragic outcome and then revealing the backstory, intensified the emotional impact of the protagonist's choices.
Structure
Structure refers to how a text is organized, including the relationship between its parts and the sequence of information. It acts as the author's blueprint for guiding the reader's experience.
Example:
The novel's structure shifted between the past and present, creating a sense of suspense as the reader gradually uncovered the protagonist's hidden trauma.
Subplot
A secondary or subordinate plotline that runs parallel to the main plot, often involving minor characters or exploring different themes, adding depth and complexity to the narrative.
Example:
While the main story focused on the war, a compelling subplot explored the forbidden romance between two soldiers from opposing sides, adding emotional nuance.
Tragedy
A dramatic situation characterized by the downfall of the protagonist, often due to a fatal flaw or an inescapable fate, leading to a sorrowful or disastrous conclusion.
Example:
Shakespeare's Hamlet is a classic tragedy, depicting the prince's descent into madness and the ultimate destruction of his family.