What Is a Plot Diagram & How to Make a Plot Diagram?

It can be hard to analyze a literature book or write a story when the plot is not well-understood or planned. But if you make a plot diagram yourself, everything is clear by just a look whenever you’re stuck in the middle of studying or writing. It breaks down a story into five parts and you can use it to research not only literature and writing but also drama, film script, teaching, etc. In this blog, you’ll learn the details about a plot diagram from its definition and elements to advantages and how-to tutorials. Stay tuned!

Table of Contents

What Is a Plot Diagram?

Elements of a Plot Diagram

Advantages of a Plot Diagram

How to Make a Plot Diagram?

A plot diagram is a graphical representation of the structure of a story, typically used in literature or film. It is a tool that helps you visualize the different components of a plot, including the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.

The plot diagram usually consists of a simple line or graph, with the horizontal axis representing the progression of time, and the vertical axis representing the intensity of the plot. 

The exposition is at the beginning of the plot, followed by the rising action which builds tension and leads to the climax, the point of greatest intensity in the story. The falling action follows the climax, leading to the resolution or conclusion of the story.

Plot diagram, or Freytag’s Pyramid, was invented by the German novelist Gustav Freytag. Although his original intent was using it for drama, it is also useful for working through short stories and novels. By following the five elements of the plot diagram below, you can also structure your story or analyze the literature book you’re reading. 

Exposition: The exposition is the beginning of the story where the setting, characters, and initial situation are introduced. It sets the stage for the story and provides the background information that the reader needs to understand the characters and their world.

Rising Action: The rising action is a series of events that build suspense and lead to the story's climax. It includes the obstacles and challenges that the protagonist must overcome to achieve their goal, as well as any conflicts between characters.

Climax: The climax is the turning point of the story where the main character faces the conflict and makes a crucial decision. It is the most intense and dramatic moment in the story and often determines the outcome of the conflict.

Falling Action: The falling action includes the events that occur after the climax and lead to the resolution of the story. It is the part of the story where loose ends are tied up, and the consequences of the climax are explored.

Resolution: The resolution is the conclusion of the story where the conflict is resolved. It may involve a change in the protagonist's character or situation and provides a sense of closure to the story.

A plot diagram can be used at any point during the reading or writing process, but it is most commonly used as a tool for analyzing literature or planning a story. Here are some advantages of using a plot diagram:

Helps with understanding story structure

A plot diagram can help you understand the different parts of a story and how they are connected. This can make it easier to follow the story and appreciate the author's message.

Identifies key elements of the story

The plot diagram highlights the key elements of the story, such as the climax and resolution. This can help you focus on the most important parts of the story and understand the author's message.

Helps with analyzing literature

By using a plot diagram, you can analyze literature more effectively. They can identify the key elements of the story and understand how they contribute to the story's overall meaning and message.

Useful for writing

A plot diagram can also be helpful for writers. It provides a structure for organizing a story and helps writers stay on track with the plot. It can also help writers identify areas where the story may need more development or where the pacing may be too slow or too fast.

Can be used as a teaching tool

A plot diagram can be a useful teaching tool for educators. It can help your students understand story structure, analyze literature, and improve their writing skills.

After reading the benefits of using a plot diagram, you might want to create one for yourself. MioCreate is a very useful too for you to accomplish this. This online whiteboard is free and offers numerous templates. After you've created a plot diagram, you can share it with others to get first-hand feedback in real-time. 

Step 1: Open MioCreate and create a new whiteboard.

First, open MioCreate in your web browser. If you don't have an account yet, you can sign up for a free trial. Once you're in MioCreate, create a new whiteboard by clicking on the "New Board" button in the top left corner of the screen. Choose a blank canvas or a template that suits your needs.

Step 2: Draw a grid and label the section 

To create a plot diagram, you'll need to draw a grid on your whiteboard. Click on the "Shape" icon in the left-hand toolbar, then select "Rectangle" from the drop-down menu. Draw a rectangle on your whiteboard that's big enough to hold all the sections of your plot diagram.

Next, use the shape tool to draw lines inside the rectangle, dividing it into five equal sections. Label each section with the following headings:

Exposition: Introduce the characters and setting

Rising Action: Build tension and conflict

Climax: The turning point of the story

Falling Action: The consequences of the climax

Resolution: The conclusion of the story

Step 3: Add content to each section

Now it's time to add content to each section of the plot diagram. You can use the text tool to add labels to each section, and the image tool to add pictures that represent each part of the plot. You can also use the shape tool to draw arrows or other shapes that help you connect the different sections of the diagram.

Step 4: Share your plot diagram to get feedback

Once you're happy with your Plot Diagram, you can share it with others by clicking on the "Share" button and choosing the sharing options you like.

Conclusion 

A plot diagram consists of the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. It can be used for analyzing or planning any story. How to make a plot diagram? MioCreate is the best tool for you!