What term describes a story told in the order events happen, from beginning to end?

• A. Linear plot
• B. Non-linear plot
• C. Flashback
• D. Rising action

Answer: (A)

When a story is told in the order the events happen, from the beginning to the end, that is a linear plot. It follows the events in chronological sequence, so readers can easily track what causes what as the story unfolds. This straightforward ordering keeps the narrative progression clear, making the buildup, turning points, and resolution come in a natural, time-ordered flow.

This is different from a non-linear plot, which rearranges time—jumping around to earlier or later moments rather than presenting everything in strict order. A flashback is a specific device within a story that shows past events out of the current timeline, disrupting the simple forward march of time. Rising action, meanwhile, is the part of the plot where tension increases toward the climax, not a description of how the story’s events are arranged.