Plot vs. Setting
Main DifferenceThe main difference between the plot and setting is that the plot is the sequence of events or main actions in a story and setting is the place, the time, and the social situation in which a story takes place

Difference Between Plot and Setting
Plot vs. Setting
The plot of a story is the specific order in which things move and happen in a story conversely Setting includes place and time of a story.
Plot vs. Setting
The plot narrates the story whereas setting describes the backdrop and helps to create the mood of the reader.
Plot vs. Setting
The plot is the general course of a story which includes specific events that determine its course or significant patterns of events on the other hand setting is the place, time and circumstance in which story or picture is set.
Plot vs. Setting
The plot is the essential element of any writing piece that tells the readers about the actual story on the flip side setting is the essential element of writing that tells the readers about outside things.
Plot vs. Setting
Setting includes the location, the social conditions, the timeline, the weather conditions, in a story and plot includes the order of the events is taking place inside a story.
Plotnoun
(authorship) The course of a story, comprising a series of incidents which are gradually unfolded, sometimes by unexpected means.
Settingverb
present participle of set
Plotnoun
An area or land used for building on or planting on.
Settingnoun
The time, place and circumstance in which something (such as a story or picture) is set; context; scenario.
Plotnoun
A graph or diagram drawn by hand or produced by a mechanical or electronic device.
Settingnoun
The act of setting.
the setting of the sunthe setting, or hardening, of moist plaster of ParisPlotnoun
A secret plan to achieve an end, the end or means usually being illegal or otherwise questionable.
The plot would have enabled them to get a majority on the board.The assassination of Lincoln was part of a larger plot.Settingnoun
A piece of metal in which a precious stone or gem is fixed to form a piece of jewelry.
Plotnoun
Contrivance; deep reach thought; ability to plot or intrigue.
Settingnoun
A level or placement that a knob or control is set to.
the volume setting on a televisionPlotnoun
Participation in any stratagem or conspiracy.
Settingnoun
The act of marking the position of game, as a setter does.
Plotnoun
A plan; a purpose.
Settingnoun
Hunting with a setter.
Plotverb
(transitive) To conceive (a crime, etc).
They had plotted a robbery.Settingnoun
Something set in, or inserted.
Plotverb
(transitive) To trace out (a graph or diagram).
They plotted the number of edits per day.Settingnoun
A piece of vocal or choral music composed for particular words (set to music).
Plotverb
(transitive) To mark (a point on a graph, chart, etc).
Every five minutes they plotted their position.Settingadjective
that disappears below the horizon
the setting sunPlotverb
(intransitive) To conceive a crime, misdeed, etc.
They were plotting against the king.Settingnoun
the context and environment in which something is set;
the perfect setting for a ghost storyPlotnoun
a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal);
they concocted a plot to discredit the governorI saw through his little game from the startSettingnoun
the state of the environment in which a situation exists;
you can't do that in a university settingPlotnoun
a small area of ground covered by specific vegetation;
a bean plota cabbage patcha briar patchSettingnoun
arrangement of scenery and properties to represent the place where a play or movie is enacted
Plotnoun
the story that is told in a novel or play or movie etc.;
the characters were well drawn but the plot was banalSettingnoun
the physical position of something;
he changed the setting on the thermostatPlotnoun
a chart or map showing the movements or progress of an object
Settingnoun
a table service for one person;
a place setting of sterling flatwarePlotverb
plan secretly, usually something illegal;
They plotted the overthrow fo the governmentSettingnoun
mounting consisting of a piece of metal (as in a ring or other jewelry) that holds a gem in place;
the diamond was in a plain gold mountPlotverb
make a schematic or technical drawing of that shows how things work or how they are constructed
Settingadjective
(of a heavenly body) disappearing below the horizon;
the setting sunPlotverb
make a plat of;
Plat the townComparison Chart
Plot | Setting |
It is the sequence of events and happenings that make up a story. | It is the time, place and situation where the story takes place. |
Function | |
Narrates the story | Describes the backdrop and create the mood |
Refers To | |
The sequence of events and actions | The suitable situation, time and place |
Function | |
Keep the readers involved and interested | Let the readers know everything about the story |
Order | |
Sequential | Random |
Plot vs. Setting
The plot is the course of a story contains a series of events which are gradually unfolded, sometimes by unexpected means. The setting is the time, place and circumstance in which something (story or picture) is set. The plot is the essential element of any writing piece that tells the readers the actual story. The setting is the essential element of writing that tells the readers about outside things. Plot conveys the actual events of the story with a precise structure that has a beginning, middle, and the end. Setting let the readers know all about the location, the social conditions, the timeline, the weather conditions, etc. The plot of a writing piece is its story, or the order of the events is taking place inside it. It is always sequential and logical with a beginning, middle and finally the ending which is all very logical and makes sense to the readers. Through the setting, the readers can imagine and visualize a lot about the time, the place, the theme, and the conditions prevailing in the story. Also, it leads the readers to make a judgment about the mood or the atmosphere. The plot is always an introduction and a climax where the conflict is at its peak to keep the readers involved and interested. The setting of a story tells so much to the readers. It lets readers know the geographical location of the characters. It also reveals the timeline as to the century or the year in which the events depicted in the story took place.
What is Plot?
The plot is the whole series of the events of the story. The plot unfolds through story, scenes, events, and dialogue. It is concerned with events which happen to the main characters and which have an impact on their decisions. A plot has sub-plots with one main plot. Sub-plots are added to expand the tension of the main story or to complicate it, but the main plot gets the ore emphasis. The term plot includes the sequence of happenings and events that compose the story. These happenings and events are related and affect each other throughout the story. The events take place according to the pattern, and one event becomes the cause or the result of another. Plots can vary from simple structures to complicated structures. A plot is the most important element in a piece of literary writing. There are five main elements or parts of the plot.
Elements of the Plot
- Exposition
- Rising Action
- Climax
- Falling Action
- Resolution
What is Setting?
The setting in a literary piece refers to the time and place in which the story is taking place. It gives certain information about the historical period, geographical location, immediate surroundings, social conditions and weather relevant to the story. It is one of the major literary elements of a story setting. It gives the background of the story and helps to create a mood. The setting is the place of a story. It contains locations (bedroom, office, cafe, restaurant, cities or countries or planets, era or age, time of day, etc.). In addition, it also tells the underlying situation or condition of a piece of writing like weather condition, season, etc. The change in a novel’s setting produces a new story. Settings can be fictional or real, or a combination of both. Some settings are very specific whereas some are descriptive.
Features
- Influences the word choice, character type, pace, tone, and genre
- Enhances the story by enfolding character and plot in a place where they fit and where their strengths can best be highlighted
- Wraps the story in a package that holds the story elements together in a cohesive unit
- Answers the questions ‘where’ and ‘when’
ConclusionPlot and setting are the essential and complementary parts of a literary work with many facets.