Plot Diagram A story's plot is what happens in the story and the order it happens in.

Definition of Plot

“The series of events in the story, chronological or not, which serve to move the story from its
beginning through its climax or turning point and to a resolution of its conflicts” (Schaefer 210).
Plot is also why the story happens and why the protagonist learns or grows, or begins or chooses
something.

Characters are an important part of a story’s plot, and there are many different types of
characters.

Plot Diagram

A story's plot is what happens in the story and the
order it happens in.

             The Five Elements of Plot Structure

       1.   Exposition: (the beginning)
            Every story must have a beginning. The start, or
            exposition, is where the protagonist (main character(s)
            and setting are established. During this part of the
            novel, the conflict or main problem is also introduced.

Edward Dantes is on the verge of adult life. He has
just been made a captain of a ship and is about to marry
his beautiful fiance, Mercedes in Marseilles, France. But
he has enemies who envy him and he has been foolish.
2.   Rising Action: (Introduction of the Problem or Conflict)
After the main character and main problem have been
established, the main problem or conflict is dealt with
by some kind of action. In this part of the story, the
main character is in crisis. This is the place for tension
and excitement. The complication can arise through a
character's conflict with society, nature, fate, or a
number of themes. In this part of the story the main
character is aware a conflict has arisen and takes some
kind of step to battle this crisis.
     At the dying request of the previous captain of his
ship, Pharaoh, Dantes has carried a letter to the exiled
Napolean who has in turn given him a letter addressed
to someone in Paris. Dante’s enemies denounce him to
the local judge, Villefort, who recognizes the name on
the letter as his father’s and is terrified that he will be
linked with plots against the monarch. He sends
Edmond to the Chateau d’If, a prison where men go and
never return

 Climax: (The High Point)
3.

The climax is the high point of the story. It is the main
event or danger that the character faces. This is the
darkest moment, the worst challenge the character
must oppose. At this point it looks as if the character
will fail, and will never get what he/she wants. The
turning point may be either physical or emotional. In a
romance, the girl may turn the hopeful lover down, in
an action story, the character may be surrounded by
enemies with no chance of escape.
   After suffering a lot in prison, some time later,
Dantes makes contact with another prisoner, Faria who
has made a secret pathway under the prison. They
meet regularly. Faria teaches Dantes about many
things, and tells him about the Spada treasure on the
island of Monte Carlo.
4.   Falling Action: (Winding Down)
Following the climax, the story begins to slowly wind
down. Falling action, one of the two final story
elements, shows the result of the actions or decisions
the character has made. This eventually leads to the
final part of the novel, the crisis resolution.
       Faria dies and Dantes sees his chance. He
changes places with the dead Faria, is thrown into the
sea and rescued by a smuggling ship. He finally makes it
to Monte Cristo and finds the treasure.

5.   Resolution: (the end)
  The resolution is the conclusion of the story. Here, the
  conflicts are resolved, all loose ends are tied up, and the
  story concludes with either a happy or sad ending.
         Dante returns to Marseilles a rich man,
to find Mercedes at the home of his dying
father. The novel ends happily, with Dante &
Mercedes sailing out of the harbour on his new
boat.

                  The Count of Monte Cristo

  Exposition:
     Edward Dantes is on the verge of adult life. He has
  just been made a captain of a ship and is about to marry
  his beautiful fiance, Mercedes in Marseilles, France. But
  he has enemies who envy him and he has been foolish.
  Rising Action:
     At the dying request of the previous captain of his
  ship, Pharaoh, Dantes has carried a letter to the exiled
  Napolean who has in turn given him a letter addressed
  to someone in Paris. Dante’s enemies denounce him to

the local judge, Villefort, who recognizes the name on
     the letter as his father’s and is terrified that he will be
     linked with plots against the monarch. He sends
     Edmond to the Chateau d’If, a prison where men go and
     never return
     Climax
        After suffering a lot in prison, some time later,
     Dantes makes contact with another prisoner, Faria who
     has made a secret pathway under the prison. They
     meet regularly. Faria teaches Dantes about many
     things, and tells him about the Spada treasure on the
     island of Monte Carlo.
     Falling Action:
           Faria dies and Dantes sees his chance. He
     changes places with the dead Faria, is thrown into the
     sea and rescued by a smuggling ship. He finally makes it
     to Monte Cristo and finds the treasure.
      Resolution:
         Dante returns to Marseilles a rich man, to find
   Mercedes at the home of his dying father. The novel ends
   happily, with Dante & Mercedes sailing out of the harbour
   on his new boat.

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