Plot, Narrative and structure.

How do these terms play together?

In the context of differentiating between "plot", and "narrative," "structure" plays a crucial role that intersects with both concepts but is more closely aligned with "narrative."

The plot refers to the chronological sequence of events as they occur in the story, representing the objective facts of what happens, to whom, and in what order.

For example, a hero receives a call to adventure, faces trials, and ultimately returns home transformed.

This series of events forms the plot, which, as John S. Warner describes in The Secrets to Creating Character Arcs, "is simply a description of what will happen in your story."

As you can see in Narrative vs. Story a narrative (noun) can be both a story and a report, an argument or account. However, while both types of narratives involve structuring information for a specific purpose, only story-based narratives rely on the dynamics of plot and character development to engage the audience.

Narrative techniques involve the organization of the parts of the story or report and how they are arranged and presented to the reader or audience.

These techniques include perspective, tone and style, etc. They are the methods and manners in which a narrative is told, shaping the reader's interpretation and engagement with the text.

For instance, the hero's journey might be presented through flashbacks, from multiple perspectives, or with an unreliable narrator.

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In Inception (2010), the plot's complexity mirrors the film's structure, with multiple layers of dreams within dreams, each with its own distinct narrative level. This intricate structure amplifies the tension and blurs the line between reality and illusion, reflecting the protagonist's struggle to navigate and manipulate these layered realities.

The second film of The Lord of The Rings trilogy, The Two Towers (2002), furthers the myth plot, setting up the final trials and transformations that will culminate in the final film, The Return of the King (2003).

So where does "structure" fit in with plot and narrative? Plot is about what happens, the narrative techniques is about how these happenings are conveyed. John S. Warner underscores in his book that "the structure defines how you will narrate or present the stories to the readers."

The structure of a story serves as the framework, the overall design or architecture of the story, including the order and arrangement of scenes and chapters. It involves the use of narrative techniques such as non-linear timelines, framed stories, or parallel plots, allowing for a creative and often complex presentation of the plot.

An example of this would be a story that employs a three-act structure, is divided into distinct parts with different narrators, or uses alternating timelines to reveal the hero’s journey.

Warner points out that while "the plot of a story is always constructed in a linear manner," the structure "needn’t adhere to any such constraint. It can be linear, or jump between time and places."

Story analyst John Truby further clarifies the nature of structure by stating, "The main rule: The structure is determined by the order in which the protagonist learns, not by the sequence of what the hero does." This perspective aligns structure closely with the character's inner journey, suggesting that structure is more about the progression of the protagonist's understanding than the mere chronology of events.

Ultimately, structure is primarily an aspect of narrative techniques because it deals with how the plot is conveyed to the audience. It's about the method and organization of storytelling, which can significantly affect the interpretation and emotional impact of the plot.

While structure itself is not the plot, it dictates the flow and pacing of the plot's events, thus shaping the audience's experience and understanding of the plot.

In summary, structure is a key element of a storyteller's narrative method, focusing on the organization and presentation of the plot. It determines how the story is unfolded, affecting both the delivery and reception of the chronological events. 

The plot of Memento (2000) is intricately tied to its structure, which is presented in a nonlinear, reverse chronological order that mirrors the protagonist's short-term memory loss. This unique structure allows the audience to experience the disorientation and fragmented reality of the main character, Leonard, as he pieces together clues to uncover the truth. The film's narrative style effectively aligns the viewer's perspective with Leonard's, enhancing the suspense and psychological tension as the story unfolds.