Basic: Three-Point Plot                  Advanced: Five-Point Plot

Part 1: Introduce character and a serious problem.
Do NOT give the entire life history of your character.   
The problem can be either threat or a challenge, but it must be a serious challenge.

Part 2: Problem becomes worse.  Character attempts to solve problem. 
The SAME character introduced as the main character 

Part 3: Resolution.
This can go three different ways:

The main character wins: He or she solves problem or defeats the enemy.

The main character loses: He or she dies tragically trying to solve problem or defeat the enemy. 

Mixed: The main character fails to win or solve the problem, but he or she learns a lesson about life in the process.