Wikipedia:How to write a plot summary: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 22:38, 6 January 2025

Revision as of 22:51, 6 January 2025

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The basic structure of many narrative plots includes a lengthy middle section during which characters repeatedly get in and out of trouble on their way to the climactic encounter. Although such events may be exciting to read or watch, they often clutter a plot summary with excessive and repetitive detail. Cutting less important ones can make the plot summary tighter and easier to understand.

''Necessary'' detail, however, must be maintained. A summary of ''[[Odyssey]]'' as "Odysseus, returning home from the Trojan War, has many adventures which he uses his wits to escape until he reunites with his wife and kills the men who were trying to take over his kingdom" would omit almost all of the important details. On the other hand, the ''Odyssey'' contains various scenes where people recount myths to each other which have little importance to the main plot, and thus might be skipped entirely.

The ''Odyssey'' contains various scenes where people recount myths to each other which have little importance to the main plot. Such scenes may be left out or limited to only a sentence or two.

The three basic elements of a story are plot, characters, and themes. Anything that is not necessary for a reader's understanding of these three elements should not be included in the summary.