What is Plot?

What is plot in a short story? It is the series of events that make up the story, in which there is a beginning, middle, and end.
A  plot is what happens in the story. Something has to move, to change. This change could be:

• A physical event (a serial killer is killing young girls -CHANGE- police arrest the killer).

• A decision (character wants to become a doctor  like his father-CHANGE-character decides to be a ballet dancer).

• A change in a relationship ( They hate each other-CHANGE-They fall in love)

• A change in a person (character is a selfish jerk. -CHANGE- character has learned to be less of a selfish jerk.)

• A change in the reader's understanding of a situation. (character appears to be a thief.-CHANGE- The reader realizes that character is actually innocent and made a false confession.)

This change could even be the realization that nothing will ever change. (your character dreams of escaping her small town -CHANGE- her dream escape is shown to be an hopeless.)