When we are choosing a book, most of us want to know something about the plot – that is, the way the story unfolds through the different events and actions. However, it can be difficult to follow the plot of a story, particularly if the events are not described in chronological order.
In the extract from The Reading Group below, Gillian Lazar gives readers some advice on how to follow the plot of a novel or short story.
Before you read the extract Imagine you have to describe to a friend the plot of a story you have read recently.Try to summarise the story in six sentences, highlighting the most important events.
When you are reading a novel, you often ask yourself two questions – ‘What happened?’ and ‘Why?’ But both of these questions may be difficult to answer. For example, the sequence of events may not be told in the order in which it happened.Writers may be in the middle of one set of events when they suddenly provide a flashback to another.There are some strategies which readers can use to help themselves answer these questions. Firstly, a good reader makes predictions about what is going to happen.We start by making predictions from the title – then modify these predictions as we go on. Asking yourself ‘What is going to happen next?’ as you read will help you answer the question ‘What happened?’ when you finish. Also, look out for certain linguistic clues – words and phrases like ‘the following day’, ‘next’ and ‘three weeks before’ can help us reconstruct what happened. Finally, it can be useful to mark and label events on a horizontal line, a time line.The events may be introduced in random order, but a time line can help you identify the sequence of events, and answer the question ‘What happened?’
In the extract from The Reading Group below, Gillian Lazar gives readers some advice on how to follow the plot of a novel or short story.
Before you read the extract Imagine you have to describe to a friend the plot of a story you have read recently.Try to summarise the story in six sentences, highlighting the most important events.
When you are reading a novel, you often ask yourself two questions – ‘What happened?’ and ‘Why?’ But both of these questions may be difficult to answer. For example, the sequence of events may not be told in the order in which it happened.Writers may be in the middle of one set of events when they suddenly provide a flashback to another.There are some strategies which readers can use to help themselves answer these questions. Firstly, a good reader makes predictions about what is going to happen.We start by making predictions from the title – then modify these predictions as we go on. Asking yourself ‘What is going to happen next?’ as you read will help you answer the question ‘What happened?’ when you finish. Also, look out for certain linguistic clues – words and phrases like ‘the following day’, ‘next’ and ‘three weeks before’ can help us reconstruct what happened. Finally, it can be useful to mark and label events on a horizontal line, a time line.The events may be introduced in random order, but a time line can help you identify the sequence of events, and answer the question ‘What happened?’
- Why is the question ‘What happened?’ sometimes difficult for the reader to answer?
- What 3 things does Gillian advise readers to do to help them follow the plot of a story?
Answer
- The writer may not describe the events of the story in sequence. He or she might describe one event, then flash back to another.
- Make predictions about the story as you read. Look out for words or phrases which give clues to the sequence of events. Draw a timeline, showing the chronological sequence of events in the story. Timeline
While you are reading a short story or novel, try to ensure you follow the plot. Here are some tips to help you.
Think about the plot after you close the book We usually read novels over a period of days or even weeks. For example, you may like to read before you go to sleep at night. If you do, take a few minutes to piece together the plot before you go to sleep.Think about the question ‘What do I know so far?’
Make predictions before you start reading Each evening, before you open your book, remind yourself of what has happened so far in the story.Then think ‘What do I think will happen next?’ Remember, preparation for reading is an important step towards understanding what we read.
Look out for clues to the sequence of events As Gillian says in the extract above, writers usually use clear words and phrases to help the reader work out the sequence of events. Look out for ‘sequencing’ words such as ‘next’, ‘suddenly’ and ‘previously’.
Make a timeline Making a note of the main events in sequence will help you follow the plot. It can help you see where two actions happen at the same time, and where there are gaps in your knowledge.
TASK
This task will help you practise making timelines of events. Read the passage below and write down the actions in the sequence in which they happened. Start with ‘John got up…’
John got up, feeling a little nervous.The meeting was scheduled for two o’clock that day, and he had to read the report to make sure he was fully prepared.The job had seemed so easy when he accepted it, but he had soon discovered that his boss expected him to work day and night, and to be prepared for anything. He began to feel more worried – this meeting was going to be the most important of his working life so far. He made a cup of coffee, and started reading.
Think about the plot after you close the book We usually read novels over a period of days or even weeks. For example, you may like to read before you go to sleep at night. If you do, take a few minutes to piece together the plot before you go to sleep.Think about the question ‘What do I know so far?’
Make predictions before you start reading Each evening, before you open your book, remind yourself of what has happened so far in the story.Then think ‘What do I think will happen next?’ Remember, preparation for reading is an important step towards understanding what we read.
Look out for clues to the sequence of events As Gillian says in the extract above, writers usually use clear words and phrases to help the reader work out the sequence of events. Look out for ‘sequencing’ words such as ‘next’, ‘suddenly’ and ‘previously’.
Make a timeline Making a note of the main events in sequence will help you follow the plot. It can help you see where two actions happen at the same time, and where there are gaps in your knowledge.
TASK
This task will help you practise making timelines of events. Read the passage below and write down the actions in the sequence in which they happened. Start with ‘John got up…’
John got up, feeling a little nervous.The meeting was scheduled for two o’clock that day, and he had to read the report to make sure he was fully prepared.The job had seemed so easy when he accepted it, but he had soon discovered that his boss expected him to work day and night, and to be prepared for anything. He began to feel more worried – this meeting was going to be the most important of his working life so far. He made a cup of coffee, and started reading.
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