What term describes the structure of a story?

The term that best describes the structure of a story is "plot." This term refers to the sequence of events that make up the narrative, including the introduction of characters, the development of conflicts, and the resolution of those conflicts. The plot outlines how a story unfolds over time, revealing how the elements of action, character development, and setting interconnect to create a cohesive narrative.

In literature, the plot typically follows a specific structure, such as exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. Understanding the plot structure is crucial for readers as it helps them grasp the progression of the story and the relationships between characters and events. While other terms like "framework" and "narrative" could relate to parts of a story, they do not specifically convey the sequential structure of events in the way that "plot" does.