storylines
Tales being told
Storylines are the plots or narrative threads of stories, whether in novels, films, television series, or other media.
A single work may have multiple storylines that intersect or run parallel: The show juggles three storylines across different time periods.
In serialized media, storylines often span multiple episodes or seasons: They wrapped up that storyline in the finale.
Curved line segment
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- climaxPoint of greatest intensity
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
- conflictOpposition between parties
exposition · denouement · twist · subplot · foreshadowing · flashback · pacing · tension
Story's central figure
- antagonistOne who opposes another
- heroOne admired for courage
- villainWicked story antagonist
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
backstory · motivation · growth · redemption · journey · relationships · dynamics · foil
Spoken or written narrative
- sagaExtended heroic narrative
- chronicleOrdered historical record
- epicImpressively grand in scope
- mythologyBody of traditional tales
fable · allegory · fiction · drama · tragedy · comedy · romance · thriller
Recurring thematic element
- symbolismRepresenting concepts through images
- messageTransmitted communication
- moralConcerning right conduct
- meaningWhat something signifies
subtext · allegory · commentary · throughline · leitmotif · undercurrent · resonance · exploration
arc
Curved line segment
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- climaxPoint of greatest intensity
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
conflict · exposition · denouement · twist · subplot · foreshadowing · flashback · pacing · tension · setup
protagonist
Story's central figure
- antagonistOne who opposes another
- heroOne admired for courage
- villainWicked story antagonist
ensemble · backstory · motivation · growth · redemption · journey · relationships · dynamics · foil · sidekick
tale
Spoken or written narrative
mythology · fable · allegory · fiction · drama · tragedy · comedy · romance · thriller · mystery
motif
Recurring thematic element
- symbolismRepresenting concepts through images
- messageTransmitted communication
- moralConcerning right conduct
meaning · subtext · allegory · commentary · throughline · leitmotif · undercurrent · resonance · exploration · universal
- franchisesfranchise, Star Wars, franchising, franchises, franchisor
- game contentDLC, expansions, quests, boss fights, levels
- plot elementsplot, protagonist, antagonist, main plot, subplot
- tabletop RPGsD&D, sourcebook, dungeon master, game master, DM
- The SimsSim, woohoo, motherlode, rosebud, aspiration
storylinesplotlessness
Lack of narrative structure
non-narrative · anti-narrative · settings · backdrops · formlessness
storylinesreality
What actually exists
lived experience · history · raw footage · nonfiction · truth
storylinessnapshots
Informal, quick photographs
moments · tableaux · still life · stasis · timelessness