Types of Plots

Types of Plots Types of Plots Types of Plots By Mark Nichol How many plot types are there, and does it really matter? And if you write nonfiction, rather than fiction, why should you read this post? (I guess you’ll have to read the post to find out.) Throughout the years, writers have posited various opinions about how many distinct types of stories exist. Several of the more prominent theories follow: Three Types William Foster Harris, in The Basic Patterns of Plot, suggests that the three plot types are the happy ending, the unhappy ending, and tragedy. What’s the difference between the second and third types? A tragedy is distinguished from an unhappy ending partly by the magnitude of the outcome but mostly in that the lead character attempts to do something marked by excessive pride, overweening ambition, or another character flaw and that the outcome seems preordained by fate. Seven Types Christopher Booker, in The Seven Basic Plot Points: Why We Tell Stories, lists the plot types as Overcoming the Monster, the Quest, the Voyage and Return, Rags to Riches, and the Rebirth, as well as Comedy and Tragedy. At first glance, the last two terms seem more like genres than plots, but a comedy, though it might also fit into one of the other five types, is often marked by a standard array of miscues and misadventures, and, as intimated in the previous paragraph, a tragedy has a narrow focus: The protagonist tempts fate, and fate responds. Another septet, one that may seem slightly off topic, is a list of plot conflicts, but the items encapsulate basic storylines as well. In (somewhat arbitrary) order of increasing complexity, the duels are person versus fate (or God), person versus self, person versus person, person versus society, person versus nature, person versus the supernatural, and person versus technology. Twenty Types Ronald Tobias, in 20 Master Plots and How to Build Them, shares a score of story types. I won’t list them all (you can easily find them through an online search), but they range from the basic (the Quest) to the moderately complex (Revenge) to the more sophisticated (Metamorphosis) and beyond. Thirty-Six Types Georges Polti, in The Thirty-Six Dramatic Situations, eschews the basics in favor of specific concepts including Daring Enterprise, Fatal Imprudence, and Erroneous Judgment, as well as several varieties of tales of love and sacrifice. (Again, the full roster is available by searching online.) Pigeonholing Plot Types Is it necessary for writers to consider these distinctions? Does one need to know the plot type of one’s story? Can’t you just write your story? You’re welcome to ignore categorization, but consider the benefits: By matching your story to one or more plot types, you can mine the traditions of that type (or those types). If you write a quest tale or a similar type whether set in a fantasy realm or in the real world without exploiting the rule of three, for example, it will lack the resonance of its forebears. You can, of course, defy expectations by avoiding clichà ©s, but if you give a name to the type of story you are telling, you are more likely to recognize opportunities to do so. But what does plot have to do with nonfiction? All stories even factual ones have a plot, and especially when you write narrative nonfiction, you should recognize the parameters you are following or exceeding. Is your profile of a person or a company or organization, or your account of an event or an incident, a tale of redemption, or one of hubris, or one of revolt against complacency or a predetermined path, or something else? Consider your story’s metaphorical and allegorical potential, and capitalize on its resemblance to other tales as you build it. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Fiction Writing category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:When to use "on" and when to use "in"Latin Plural EndingsGrammatical Case in English

How to Make Your Own Invisible Ink

How to Make Your Own Invisible Ink Making invisible ink to write and reveal secret messages is a great science project to try, even if you think you dont have the right chemicals. Why? Because just about any chemical can be used as invisible ink if you know how to use it. What Is Invisible Ink? Invisible ink is any substance that you can use to write a message that is invisible until the ink is revealed. You write your message with the ink using a cotton swab, dampened finger, fountain pen, or toothpick. Let the message dry. You might also want to write a normal message on the paper so that it doesnt appear to be blank and meaningless. If you write a cover message, use a ballpoint pen, pencil, or crayon, since fountain pen ink could run into your invisible ink. Avoid using lined paper to write your invisible message for the same reason. How you reveal the message depends on the ink you use. Most invisible inks are made visible by heating the paper. Ironing the paper and holding it over a 100-watt bulb are easy ways to reveal these types of messages. Some messages are developed by spraying or wiping the paper with a second chemical. Other messages are revealed by shining an ultraviolet light  on the paper. Ways to Make Invisible Ink Anyone can write an invisible message, assuming you have paper, because body fluids can be used as invisible ink. If you dont feel like collecting urine, here are some alternatives: Heat-Activated Invisible InksYou can reveal the message by ironing the paper, setting it on a radiator, placing it in an oven (set lower than 450 F), or holding it up to a hot light bulb. To write the message you can use: Any acidic fruit juice (e.g., lemon, apple, or orange juice)Onion juiceBaking soda (sodium bicarbonate)VinegarWhite wineDiluted colaDiluted honeyMilkSoapy waterSucrose (table sugar) solutionUrine Inks Developed by Chemical ReactionsThese inks are sneakier  because you have to know how to reveal them. Most of them work using pH indicators, so when in doubt, paint or spray a suspected message with a base (such as sodium carbonate solution) or an acid (such as lemon juice). Some of these inks will reveal their message when heated (e.g., vinegar). Examples of such inks include: Phenolphthalein (pH indicator), developed by ammonia fumes or sodium carbonate (or another base)Thymolphthalein, developed by ammonia fumes or sodium carbonate (or another base)Vinegar or diluted acetic acid, developed by red cabbage waterAmmonia, developed by red cabbage waterSodium bicarbonate (baking soda), developed by grape juiceSodium chloride (table salt), developed by silver nitrateCopper sulfate, developed by sodium iodide, sodium carbonate, potassium ferricyanide, or ammonium hydroxideLead(II) nitrate, developed by sodium iodideIron sulfate, developed by sodium carbonate, sodium sulfide, or potassium ferricyanideCobalt chloride, developed by potassium ferricyanideStarch (e.g., corn starch or potato starch), developed by iodine solutionLemon juice, developed by iodine solution Inks Developed by Ultraviolet Light (Black Light)Most inks that become visible when you shine a black light on them also would become visible if you heated the paper. Glow-in-the-dark stuff is still cool. Here are some chemicals to try: Dilute laundry detergent (the bluing agent glows)Body fluidsTonic water (quinine glows)Vitamin B-12 dissolved in vinegar Any chemical that weakens the structure of paper can be used as an invisible ink, so you might find it fun to discover other inks around your home or lab.

Managment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Managment - Essay Example They put the responsibility for the overall running of the organisation in the hands of the senior management and the CEO, rather than allowing the organisation to run itself. When Richard Branson started the Virgin Group, he would have worked with his colleagues to physically run the business, including selling goods to customers (F19), procuring supplies to sell (E15) and managing budgets (E1). As a CEO, he should be responsible for the overall management of the group. However, although he clearly undertakes some aspects of group management, such as developing and exemplifying the culture at Virgin (B9), encouraging innovation (C3) and raising additional finance for business ventures (E3), he does not get involved in the day-to-day running of the organisation, even at CEO level. Branson has the ideas and the ability to spot emerging trends, but he hires the best people to analyse the situation, set up any new ventures and then run them. Such an approach allows everyone to play to their strengths, while allowing Branson to live what appears to be an eccentric lifestyle involving various stunts that also allow him to promote the Virgin brand around the wo rld. He is an unconventional CEO who carves out his own path rather than following others. When Virgin look to enter a new market, they assess the strategies of those already present, then look to add value by focusing on quality rather than cost. Virgin Atlantic does not compete with low-cost carriers, prefering to keep costs reasonable and service exceptional. They provide additional benefits and look for synergies with other Virgin businesses. Branson looks at industry and commerce as a whole, picking out where there is poor customer service or where a good customer service does not provide what customers want. This could be classified as diversification (Ansoff’s Matrix, 1988, in Johnson et al 2008) as well as â€Å"overcoming competitors’ bases of strategic

Corporate Communications Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Corporate Communications - Essay Example Corporate Communications In today’s work educational institutions, organisations, dynamic and cultural environment require employees and students to work together in groups at certain coordinative and tolerant levels. This will provide vast experience of working in teams or groups. Members of the team should apply reflective practice for the success of the team. In everything we do we learn from experience. After analysing previous experiences it gives us deep understanding of what was done, why it was a failure or a success, and what could have been done for better results. Reflection enables teams, groups, and individuals to improve working practices and move forward. It reinforces sense of accomplishment and competence at the same time helps in recognising areas of weaknesses. The concept of practice is where an individual has an active idea which reflects on various events and use what they learn from them to improve future events. Reflective practice has been recognised as essential skill for ind ividuals who are required to evaluate and analyse their professional or personal performance. An effective teamwork is both difficult and simple; this is because there might be lack of cooperation, limited resources, and misunderstanding between group members. Factors, which affect the groups and teamwork, are both in the work environment and within the team itself. The team should understand the targets and goals and commit themselves to attain them. This is a clear agreement and direction as purpose and mission are essential for effective groups and teamwork. This will enable the team to have clarity as reinforcement in an organization having clean and precise expectations for the group’s goals, accountability, outcomes, and work. In many groups I have participated and experience; they collapse or get poor results due to lack of understanding on the goals of the team or group. The first thing the team or group should do is to set goals and targets such that they will fight to meet the goals. This will lead to better results and findings as each and every member of the group will have understood and commit themselves on the task for achievements. A team creates a comfortable environment where people or members can take reasonable risks in advocating positions, taking action, and communicating. Team members should not be punished when they disagree; this will discourage them in participating on future events or even leading to the collapse of the team. The disagreement should be treated as weaknesses on the team and look for solutions for successful group work in future. Communication should be respectful, honest and open in the team discussions. In many groups, some members do not have freedom to express their points. This will lead to contribution of points by few members; this is a weakness in the team as there will be limitation in the ideas contributed. In many groups minority members are not given time to contribute, they are suppressed by the lea ders and this is a major problem which should be urgently addressed (Cornelissen, 2004, p. 38). These minor members might have important points but due to the suppression, they are not heard. The team members should be given time to ask questions for clarifications, in this regard, they will spend their thought listening keenly and not forming rebuttals when another member is speaking. The team members have a

Choose a recently published policy compare to What we have learned( Research Paper

Choose a recently published policy compare to What we have learned( Roman Republic, French absolutism, French Revolution) - Research Paper Example The transformation was done through a series of civil wars. The wars were between the patricians and the ordinary Romans who were not from famous families. The policy of balanced distribution of power led to the weakening of the patrician’s power to run big government offices as bound by the law. During this period, the Roman constitution was also amended to accommodate republican form of government. The Roman republic extended due to the many alliances from Italian peninsula and central Italy as well as conquests (Holkeskamp. 47). New laws and policies that prevented individuals from obtaining permanent political powers were established. The political system became free and democratic as the constitution prevented political supremacy among individuals but supported political ideologies. This is because Rome was undergoing a political transition thus the new government system needed ideas to establish peace, political stability and development. Roman Republic was forced to ada pt to the new constitution, which was designed to promote republican form of government. After the transition, the Roman Republic introduced a set of guiding principles, which acted as a new set of policies that would ensure civilized leadership. In the new constitution, the government was divided into three sections. ... The new system of government portrayed a practice of democracy as powers were centralized in the three branches of government, which was made by a set of elected representatives from all parts of the Roman Republic. However, the republic system of government was corrupted by dictatorship rule, which led to its collapsing. Absolutism is a monarchical form of government that gives the monarch great powers and is given much reverence. However, the powers of a monarch are limited to by the need of support from the aristocracy. The aristocracy provides the monarch with political and military support thus may challenge the authority from time to time. Absolutism system of governance was associated with King Louis XIII and Louis XIV of France. This form of rule centralized powers to the monarch who was given unlimited powers by the divined law. In this case power was confined to one person who had the rights to regulate as well as change the political system and make decisions. This form of rule is prone to was as a country using absolutism can descend into a civil war after its collapse. In the French absolutism, the king’s word was considered to be law. Most of the revenue is collected and managed by the army. The French monarchy depended on farming and Agriculture as the main economic activities. In this case, farmers were taxed heavily in order to maintain the economy of the monarchy. The absolutism form of government was mainly focused on dictatorship as the ruler was granted the powers to do as he or she pleased by the law. Absolution also used natural laws which were affiliated to cultural practices thus could not create room for modern

Write and 150 words introduction Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Write and 150 words introduction - Essay Example With a history of 120 years, Fosters today is available in over 150 countries. Both companies have their unique organizational cultures and both have been very successful. For this takeover to be a success, it is important for SABMiller to identify the various features that are essential to facilitate the take over and design strategies to successfully facilitate the integration of the two companies. This report in the first part identifies and analyses the various facilitating features that needs attention of the management. The second part of the report suggests the various steps to be taken and strategies to be designed to successfully facilitate the integration. SABMiller plans to lead in the stable and profitable Australian beer industry through thorough knowledge of Foster’s and the Australian market and to improve Foster’s financial and operating performance. SABMiller will create value for shareholders, through making Foster’s an important part of its global business, whilst taking into account Foster’s strong heritage (Greenblat 2011). Some promised strategies, in which SABMiller has proven capabilities (Payne, 2011) include improvement to Foster’s weak, underperforming brands, restructuring business segments, saving costs, focusing on new profitable segments and bringing in global scale benefits (SABMiller.com, 2011). Running local brewing operations worldwide and understanding differences between the overseas and Australian Market would help the SABMiller-Foster’s integration. Additionally, SABMiller already owns and manages Foster’s brands in India and America (SABMiller.com, 2011), p roving the strategic fit between the companies. A location strategy advantage is created from SABMiller and Coca-Cola Amatil’s joint venture whereby it will be dissolved with SABMiller taking control of the NSW Central Coast brewery at Warnervale. This brewery will be converted to a Foster’s on-tap beer production brewery for NSW instead of

Personal information shared on internet- risk or no risk Essay

Personal information shared on internet- risk or no risk - Essay Example For example, information shared involves personal photos taken from smartphones and computers that are GPS embedded allowing other people to determine the individual’s location. Essentially, fraudsters and kidnappers can easily use this kind of information to locate where the owner resides, kidnaping them, and asking for ransom. On the other hand, computer hacking involves infringement on the other peoples privacy and cause destruction of computer-based software, files and, website pages. The hackers have the belief that sharing information is paramount. Hence, it is their ethical duty to facilitate the process of sharing information. The hackers also have a conviction that system cracking is fun. Therefore, exploitation is ethically acceptable. They hold that so long as they have not committed theft or vandalism, the practice is reasonable. Many dangers prevail in the privacy issues. Such dangers include data misuse, unauthorized access to information, child safety risks and bullying, and harmful psychological impacts of OSNs. Despite the dangers associated with internet platforms, people still disclose massive quantities of personal information, which is a risky behaviour. Boyd (2007, p.20), argues that OSNs are public networks with four main properties that do not embrace face-to-face communication, public life, replicability, diligence, searchability, and unseen audiences. These social dynamics in this context are fundamentally different and sophisticate the manner in which people interact. Although the OSNs all have online interfaces that aim for interactions and common communications, patterns of usage and specific goals, differ across varied services (Acquisti and Gross, 2006, p.36). Acquisti and Gross (2006, p.37), note that the commonly used models depend on the presentation of the contributors profiles. They also rely on visualization of the network to others and location of