plot
Story's event sequence
Plot gathers meanings around the idea of a defined piece of ground or a scheme laid out in advance.
A plot of land is a measured section: a burial plot, a garden plot.
A plot is also a secret plan, usually with sinister intent: a plot to overthrow the government.
To plot is to plan secretly or to mark positions on a map or graph: plot a course, plot data points.
In storytelling, the plot is the sequence of events—the scheme of what happens: The plot thickens when the detective discovers the second body.
Sequence of fictional events
- arcCurved line segment
- climaxPoint of greatest intensity
- twistRotating motion or surprise
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
foreshadowing · exposition · rising action · falling action · denouement · pacing · turning point · inciting incident
Calculated strategy, often secretive
- intrigueSecret plotting or fascination
- machinationCrafty scheming, often hostile
- cabalScheming political faction
- collusionFraudulent secret cooperation
treachery · coup · subterfuge · connivance · assassination · treason · betrayal · overthrow
Wrapped item for shipping
- acreLand area measurement
- lotLarge amount or portion
- tractArea of land
- allotmentDesignated share or portion
subdivision · survey · boundary · deed · property · zoning · homestead · easement
Data shown visually
- coursePlanned path forward
- coordinatesLocation-specifying number pairs
- waypointNavigation reference location
- latitudeGeographic or personal freedom
longitude · trajectory · bearing · position · radar · tracking · route · mapping
Rotation reference line
- coordinatesLocation-specifying number pairs
- data pointIndividual recorded observation
- curveSmooth, angleless line
- scatterDistribute in random directions
regression · trendline · histogram · distribution · x-axis · y-axis · origin · scale
storyline
Sequence of fictional events
resolution · foreshadowing · exposition · rising action · falling action · denouement · pacing · turning point · inciting incident · conflict
scheme
Calculated strategy, often secretive
- intrigueSecret plotting or fascination
- machinationCrafty scheming, often hostile
- cabalScheming political faction
collusion · treachery · coup · subterfuge · connivance · assassination · treason · betrayal · overthrow · complicity
parcel
Wrapped item for shipping
allotment · subdivision · survey · boundary · deed · property · zoning · homestead · easement · plat
chart
Data shown visually
- coursePlanned path forward
- coordinatesLocation-specifying number pairs
- waypointNavigation reference location
latitude · longitude · trajectory · bearing · position · radar · tracking · route · mapping · compass
axis
Rotation reference line
- coordinatesLocation-specifying number pairs
- data pointIndividual recorded observation
- curveSmooth, angleless line
scatter · regression · trendline · histogram · distribution · x-axis · y-axis · origin · scale · variable
field
Area of specialty
- gardenCultivated plant area
- vegetable patchPlot for growing edibles
- croplandLand for growing produce
vineyard · orchard · tillage · terrace · paddy · fallow · arable · cultivation · seedbed · furrow
- landcontinent, country, island, landmass, mainland
- literaturebooks, book, fiction, poetry, stories
- readingfluency, read, comprehension, readers, books
- writingwriting, drafting, authors, author, books
- writing-related termsparagraph, sentence, word, letter, punctuation
- language artsreading comprehension, grammar rules, vocabulary building, phonics, spelling bees
plottheme
Central recurring concept
plotlessness · setting · randomness · formlessness · incoherence
plotspontaneity
Acting without forethought
improvisation · innocence · accident · happenstance · chance
- plot twistSudden narrative redirection
- the plot thickensSituation becomes more involved
- plot holeLogical flaw in narrative
- lost the plotBecame irrational or confused
- plot linesNarrative sequences in fiction
- mystery plotsIntrigue-driven narrative frameworks
plotting, plots, plotted, plotter, plotters, subplot, subplots, counterplot, counterplots