History Main / Plot

-->-- ''Literature/HowNOTToWriteANovel''

Plots are usually driven by {{Conflict}}, which has a strong tendency to make stuff happen. According to Creator/{{Aristotle}}, Plot, together with {{Character|s}} and {{Spectacle}}, is one of the six items present in any story.

A PlotPoint is an important event or state of affairs that the viewer or reader is required to be aware of in order to follow the plot. An object or character whose only purpose is to drive the plot (i. e. provide the connecting element between events) is called a PlotDevice. A flat, undeveloped character whose only role is to drive the plot or deliver information is often a StockCharacter. Similarly, a PlotCoupon is an object that acts as a key to advance or resolve a plot. In contrast to the PlotDevice, it is actively and purposefully used (and often also sought out in the first place) by the characters to reach a goal, while a PlotDevice doesn't necessarily require a character's volition to advance the plot. See also MacGuffin and MagneticPlotDevice.

A PlotPoint is an important event or state of affairs that the viewer or reader is required to be aware of in order to follow the plot. An object or character whose only purpose is to drive the plot (i. e. provide the connecting element between events) is called a PlotDevice. Similarly, a PlotCoupon is an object that acts as a key to advance or resolve a plot. In contrast to the PlotDevice, it is actively and purposefully used (and often also sought out in the first place) by the characters to reach a goal, while a PlotDevice doesn't necessarily require a character's volition to advance the plot. See also MacGuffin and MagneticPlotDevice.

No examples, please; this merely [[Administrivia/DefinitionOnlyPages defines the term]]. As one of the major [[SuperTrope Super Tropes]], the concept of Plot is [[OmnipresentTrope omnipresent]]. There's no need to list Plot as a {{trope}} on any work's page or to list works here.'' %%https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1644184945085449000&page=2#comment-28

''Please note: As one of the major [[SuperTrope Super Tropes]], the concept of Plot is [[OmnipresentTrope omnipresent]]. There's no need to list Plot as a {{trope}} on any work's page or to list works here.''

-->-- ''Literature/HowNotToWriteANovel''

A fictional(ized) series of events that have some connection.

The quality of a plot is often judged by how convincing that connection is established along the criteria of

----

For a list of prefabricated plots, see {{Plots}}. For basic, archetypal plots, see TheSevenBasicPlots, TenMoviePlots and MasterPlots.

->-''"Not just a bunch of stuff that happens."''

The quality of a {{plot}} is often judged by how convincing that connection is established along the criteria of

Failure to meet those criteria results in a PlotHole. If the first criterion is repeatedly violated, we have a RandomEventsPlot, the second criterion is not met if someone acts OutOfCharacter, and a consistent failure to meet the third is called an IdiotPlot. DeusExMachina is a desperate {{plot}}-advancing technique that does not quite link events in a story in a convincing manner but at least keeps it going.

{{Plots}} are usually driven by {{Conflict}}, which has a strong tendency to make stuff happen. According to Creator/{{Aristotle}}, {{Plot}}, together with {{Character|s}} and {{Spectacle}}, is one of the six items present in any story.

A PlotPoint is an important event or state of affairs that the viewer or reader is required to be aware of in order to follow the {{plot}}. An object or character whose only purpose is to drive the {{plot}} (i. e. provide the connecting element between events) is called a PlotDevice. Similarly, a PlotCoupon is an object that acts as a key to advance or resolve a {{plot}}. In contrast to the PlotDevice, it is actively and purposefully used (and often also sought out in the first place) by the characters to reach a goal, while a PlotDevice doesn't necessarily require a character's volition to advance the {{plot}}. See also MacGuffin and MagneticPlotDevice.

A popular definition of how a {{plot}} as a whole should progress within the "running time" of a work is the succession of [[ActBreak five acts]]: ''[[{{Exposition}} exposition]]'', ''[[RisingAction rising action]]'', ''[[TheClimax climax]]'', ''falling action'' and ''resolution''. However, a work of fiction can contain more than one {{plot}}. This is called subplots or PlotThreads.

In some formats, the {{plot}} can take a back seat to other aspects that are deemed more important. For these cases see NoPlotNoProblem and ExcusePlot. Also bear in mind the SlidingScaleOfPlotVersusCharacters, for when character development overtakes the overall plot.

For a list of prefabricated {{plots}}, see {{Plots}}. For basic, archetypal {{plots}}, see TheSevenBasicPlots, TenMoviePlots and MasterPlots.

''Please note: As one of the major [[SuperTrope Super Tropes]], the concept of {{Plot}} is [[OmnipresentTrope omnipresent]]. There's no need to list {{Plot}} as a {{trope}} on any work's page or to list works here.''

CCompare {{Consistency}}.

Compare {{Consistency}}. Has nothing to do with [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic pony]] [[FanSpeak backsides]].

---

''Please note: As one of the major [[SuperTrope Super Tropes]], the concept of {{Plot}} is [[OmnipresentTrope omnipresent]]. There's no need to list {{Plot}} as a {{trope}} on any work's page or to list works here.''

In some formats, the {{plot}} can take a back seat to other aspects that are deemed more important. For these cases see NoPlotNoProblem, PlotWhatPlot and ExcusePlot. Also bear in mind the SlidingScaleOfPlotVersusCharacters, for when character development overtakes the overall plot.

Compare {{Consistency}}.

{{Plots}} are usually driven by {{Conflict}}, which has a strong tendency to make stuff happen. According to {{Aristotle}}, {{Plot}}, together with {{Character|s}} and {{Spectacle}}, is one of the six items present in any story.

''Please note: As one of the major [[SuperTrope Super Tropes]], the concept of {{Plot}} is [[OmnipresentTrope omnipresent]]. There's no need to list {{Plot}} as a {{trope}} on any work's page or to list works here.''

In some formats, the {{plot}} can take a back seat to other aspects that are deemed more important. For these cases see NoPlotNoProblem, PlotWhatPlot and ExcusePlot.

A popular definition of how a {{plot}} as a whole should progress within the "running time" of a work is the succession of [[ActBreak five acts]]: ''[[{{Exposition}} exposition]]'', ''RisingAction'', ''[[TheClimax climax]]'', ''falling action'' and ''resolution''. However, a work of fiction can contain more than one {{plot}}. This is called subplots or PlotThreads.

A popular definition of how a {{plot}} as a whole should progress within the "running time" of a work is the succession of [[ActBreak five acts]]: ''[[{{Exposition}} exposition]]'', ''rising action'', ''[[TheClimax climax]]'', ''falling action'' and ''resolution''. However, a work of fiction can contain more than one {{plot}}. This is called subplots or PlotThreads.

The quality of a plot is often judged by how convincing that connection is established along the criteria of

Failure to meet those criteria results in a PlotHole. If the first criterion is repeatedly violated, we have a RandomEventsPlot, the second criterion is not met if someone acts OutOfCharacter, and a consistent failure to meet the third is called an IdiotPlot. DeusExMachina is a desperate plot-advancing technique that does not quite link events in a story in a convincing manner but at least keeps it going.

Plots are usually driven by {{Conflict}}, which has a strong tendency to make stuff happen. According to {{Aristotle}}, {{Plot}}, together with {{Character|s}} and {{Spectacle}}, is one of the six items present in any story.

A PlotPoint is an important event or state of affairs that the viewer or reader is required to be aware of in order to follow the plot. An object or character whose only purpose is to drive the plot (i. e. provide the connecting element between events) is called a PlotDevice. Similarly, a PlotCoupon is an object that acts as a key to advance or resolve a plot. In contrast to the PlotDevice, it is actively and purposefully used (and often also sought out in the first place) by the characters to reach a goal, while a PlotDevice doesn't necessarily require a character's volition to advance the plot. See also MacGuffin and MagneticPlotDevice.

A popular definition of how a plot as a whole should progress within the "running time" of a work is the succession of [[ActBreak five acts]]: ''[[{{Exposition}} exposition]]'', ''rising action'', ''[[TheClimax climax]]'', ''falling action'' and ''resolution''. However, a work of fiction can contain more than one plot. This is called subplots or PlotThreads.

In some formats, the plot can take a back seat to other aspects that are deemed more important. For these cases see NoPlotNoProblem, PlotWhatPlot and ExcusePlot.

For a list of prefabricated plots, see {{Plots}}. For basic, archetypal plots, see TheSevenBasicPlots, TenMoviePlots and MasterPlots.

''Please note: As one of the major [[SuperTrope Super Tropes]], the concept of {{Plot}} is [[OmnipresentTrope omnipresent]]. There's no need to list {{Plot}} as a trope on any work's page or to list works here.''

For a list of prefabricated plots, see {{Plots}}. For basic, archetypal plots, see TheSevenBasicPlots and MasterPlots.

Failure to meet those criteria results in a PlotHole. If the first criterion is repeatedly violated, we have a RandomEventsPlot, the second criterion is not met if someone acts OutOfCharacter, and a consistent failure to meet the third is called an IdiotPlot. DeusExMachina is a desperate plot-advancing technique that does not quite link events in a story but at least keeps it going.

''Please note: As one of the major [[SuperTrope Super Tropes]], the concept of {{Plot}} is [[OmnipresentTrope omnipresent]]. There's no need to list {{Plot}} as a trope on any work's page or to list works here.''

[[redirect:{{Plots}}]]