main plot
Primary narrative thread
The main plot is the central storyline of a narrative—the primary sequence of events and conflicts that drives the work forward.
In stories with subplots, the main plot receives the most attention and typically involves the protagonist's core struggle: The main plot follows the detective's murder investigation, while a subplot explores her failing marriage.
Also called the A-plot or primary plot.
- rising actionPlot buildup toward climax
- protagonistStory's central figure
- climaxPoint of greatest intensity
- dramatic tensionAnticipation in storytelling
- ticking clockClock making sound
hero's journey · character development · forbidden love · falling action · final showdown · murder mystery · narrative arc · story arc · love interest · foreshadowing · foil · internal conflict · coming-of-age · resolution · happily ever after · political intrigue · antihero · family saga
- sitcomssitcom, sitcoms, episode, episodic, season
- plotstoryline, climax, narrative, rising action, falling action
- plot elementsprotagonist, antagonist, conflict, climax, rising action
- story elementsstory, hero, villain, protagonist, antagonist
- dramatic unitiesAristotle
- TV Episodespremiere, finale, season finale, series finale, mid-season finale
main plotsubplot
Subordinate narrative strand
side plot · digression · side story · tangent · aside
main plotbackstory
Character's past narrative
flashback · prologue · epilogue · exposition · background
main, plot, mainly, plots, plotted, plotting, plotter, plotters, mainland