subplot
Story within story
A subplot is a secondary storyline that runs alongside the main plot of a novel, play, film, or other narrative.
Subplots typically involve supporting characters and may intersect with or illuminate the central story: The romantic subplot provided comic relief between the tense action sequences.
In gardening, a subplot is a smaller division within an experimental plot.
Curved line segment
- storylineSequence of fictional events
- plotlineNarrative's causal chain
- threadFiber for stitching
- strandThin fiber piece
backstory · secondary · parallel · episode · tangent · digression · interlude · vignette
Flow beneath the surface
- undertoneSubdued background quality
- implicationIndirect suggestion or consequence
- insinuationIndirect, usually negative suggestion
- hintIndirect suggestion
suggestion · nuance · connotation · tension · layering · depth · texture · subterranean
Hinting at later events
- parallelEquidistant at all points
- contrastNotable difference between things
- juxtapositionAdjacent contrasting placement
- interweaveCross threads alternately
motif · counterpoint · mirroring · echo · callback · setup · payoff · misdirection
Surprising disclosed truth
- complicationFactor that adds difficulty
- surpriseUnexpected event causing astonishment
- curveballPitch with spin-induced arc
- bombshellShocking sudden revelation
unexpected · shock · reversal · discovery · unmasking · game-changer · climax
Clandestine coordinated scheming
- schemeCalculated strategy, often secretive
- machinationCrafty scheming, often hostile
- betrayalBreaking of trust
- deceptionIntentional misleading of others
manipulation · sabotage · espionage · treachery · double-cross · blackmail · subterfuge · clandestine
Romantic entanglement outside commitment
- courtshipSeeking another's romantic favor
- flirtationPlayful romantic attention
- jealousyResentful desire for another's advantages
- rivalryOngoing contest between opponents
unrequited · entanglement · liaison · dalliance · infatuation · passion · heartbreak · reconciliation
arc
Curved line segment
strand · backstory · secondary · parallel · episode · tangent · digression · interlude · vignette
undercurrent
Flow beneath the surface
- undertoneSubdued background quality
- implicationIndirect suggestion or consequence
- insinuationIndirect, usually negative suggestion
hint · suggestion · nuance · connotation · tension · layering · depth · texture · subterranean · unspoken
foreshadowing
Hinting at later events
- parallelEquidistant at all points
- contrastNotable difference between things
- juxtapositionAdjacent contrasting placement
interweave · motif · counterpoint · mirroring · echo · callback · setup · payoff · misdirection · braiding
revelation
Surprising disclosed truth
- complicationFactor that adds difficulty
- surpriseUnexpected event causing astonishment
- curveballPitch with spin-induced arc
bombshell · unexpected · shock · reversal · discovery · unmasking · game-changer · climax
conspiracy
Clandestine coordinated scheming
- schemeCalculated strategy, often secretive
- machinationCrafty scheming, often hostile
- betrayalBreaking of trust
deception · manipulation · sabotage · espionage · treachery · double-cross · blackmail · subterfuge · clandestine · covert
affair
Romantic entanglement outside commitment
- courtshipSeeking another's romantic favor
- flirtationPlayful romantic attention
- jealousyResentful desire for another's advantages
rivalry · unrequited · entanglement · liaison · dalliance · infatuation · passion · heartbreak · reconciliation · match-making
- dramaTV drama, acting, television drama, drama school, playwright
- mystery fictionwhodunit, whodunnit, sleuth, murder mystery, detective novel
- sitcomssitcom, sitcoms, episode, episodic, season
- TV seriesTV series, drama series, sitcom, soap opera, miniseries
- narrative techniquesflashback, fragmented narrative, flash-forward, point of view, narrator
- Storytelling Devicesflashback, foreshadowing, cliffhanger, narrator, framing device
- romantic subplotAuxiliary amorous storyline