The Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms, Essay Example

Definitions                                    

Plot – the plot of a story is defined as the entire foundation or basis of the story’s background. It serves as the skeleton for the different scenarios and the different settings used in a particular story. Notably, the plot is also considered as the general basis of other subplots that present smaller details of the overall context that the story is dependent upon.

Subplot –these are smaller and more detailed presentations of the different aspects that make up the whole plot. These small parts contribute to the audience’s understanding of the why, how, and who questions that make up the whole story. Subplots increase the knowledge that the audience has on the overall context of the story presented to them may it be in the form of verbal or written literature.

Setting- this aspect of the story denotes where the story occurs. Most often than not, there is a main setting and other sub-settings that create the wholeness of a particular story-plot. The main setting serves as the place where most scenes take place. Sub-settings on the other hand are used as often as needed which brings about a better definition on the characters and the situations that they get involved in.

Characters – the characters are the main actors in a story. They serve as the life of the plot. Depending on the plot as designed by the writers, some characters may be directly seen each plot and some others may not even exist in the actual scenes but they do have a large impact ton ho each story turns out to be.

Program Elements

Program: HOUSE MD – an episode-divided program that presents a disturbed doctor in the person of Doctor Gregory House. Amidst the pain he experiences, he is still considered as one of the best diagnosticians in his field. Having a team of his own, he uses sarcasm and indifference to treat his members but still come out as human due to the background that envelopes his character.

Plot: The story revolves around Doctor Gregory House. A doctor who is addicted to pain pills due to his medical situation. Judged by his colleagues but is still considered the best, the program highlights how a doctor of House’s caliber would go against the rules of medical ethics to save a patient’s life.

Subplot : Every episode, a light is shed to the being of Gregory House. His past is explained in relation to how each situation relates to what he has become at present. These subplots also define what other characters in the story mean to him and how they affect his decisions in life.

Setting : Plainsboro Hospital is the main setting in the story; while Wilson’s [House’s bestfriend] and House’s apartment serve as the sub-settings.

Characters

Gregory House, James Wilson, Liza Cuddy, Cameron, Chase, Foreman

Works Cited

Baldick, Chris. The Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms. 3rd ed. 2008