how to write a plot outline
Writing a plot outline is an important part of planning and organizing any story, whether it be a novel, film or stage play. Here's a step-by-step process to create a comprehensive plot outline:
1. Define your story's premise: Briefly describe the central idea of your story in one or two sentences. This helps give you an overall direction and a base to build your plot on.
2. Identify the genre: Determine the genre of your story. Knowing the genre will help you decide the tone, style, and elements to include in your plot.
3. Determine main characters: Create a list of main characters, including the protagonist, antagonist, and any key supporting characters. Provide a brief description of each character and their motivations.
4. Develop your story's setting: Describe the world where your story takes place, including its rules, culture, and any significant locations. This helps to create a believable atmosphere for your story.
5. Establish the initial situation: Describe the starting point of your story – where your characters are and what their situation is before the main events kick off.
6. Identify the inciting incident: Decide on an event or situation that sets your protagonist on their path and disrupts the status quo. This moment propels your story into motion.
7. Establish act breaks: Break your story into three acts – beginning, middle, and end. This helps to structure your story, making your plot easier to manage and ensuring your story has a clear progression.
8. Create a series of obstacles: Determine the obstacles, conflicts, and challenges your protagonist must face throughout the story. These obstacles should gradually escalate in intensity, pushing your character to grow and adapt.
9. Define turning points: Identify the key turning points in your story. These are moments that change the course of the narrative, such as major revelations, decisions, or disasters. Turning points often occur near the end of each act.
10. Plan the story's climax: Decide how your protagonist will confront the story's main conflict and what the climax's outcome will be. This is the high point of your story – where tensions and stakes are at their highest.
11. Determine the resolution: After the climax, plan how your characters will deal with the aftermath and the new status quo. This might involve tying up loose ends or showing how the characters have changed.
12. Review and refine: Go through your completed outline and look for inconsistencies, gaps, or moments that don't serve your story well. Revise as needed, making sure your plot is cohesive, engaging, and complements your characters' arcs.
With this outline in hand, you will have a clear roadmap to follow when writing your manuscript or screenplay, helping you keep your narrative focused and compelling.