How to Chart the Plot of a Novel

When reading a novel or short story, there are specific parts of the plot that can be made into a chart. Making the plot chart can help a student review the events in a story or it can help the student organize and write a paper on the book.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Notebook paper and a novel or short story

1. Read the novel and take notes. You can usually tell someone what happened in a book, however the majority of fictional short stories and novels follow a basic format. This format can be written on a chart. Take note of what takes place, where it takes place, problems, changes and how it ends.

2. Understand the plot elements. In order to make a plot chart, one must understand the six basic elements of plot:Setting--Time and place of the story;Rising Action--The events and conflict that happen before the climax of the story;Conflict--Problems, disagreements or fighting;Climax--Turning point of the story;Falling Action--Events that happen after the climax, bringing the reader to close of the story;Resolution--The end where all of the loose ends are tied up in the story.

3. 
   Plot Chart Example

   Create a plot chart. Most plot charts look like a roller coaster or a volcano. The plot of most books starts out slow, introducing the characters and the setting. Then conflict moves the plot to a climax, which is the high point of the chart. At this point, everything changes. The plot twists and turns in another direction as the conflicts are settled in the resolution where everything is put back together. Use the example in the picture to help you create a plot chart.

4. Fill the plot chart with information. Now that you've made a plot chart, fill in the boxes with the information on the book. Make sure to include details that will help you recall what happened in the book.

5. Use the plot chart to study for an exam over the book or as outline information to write a book report.

Tips & Warnings

• When making a plot chart, the more details you include from the story the better.