Narrative vs. Plot — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 27, 2023
A narrative is the structured story or account of events, while a plot refers specifically to the sequence of events in a story.
Difference Between Narrative and Plot
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Narrative encompasses the broader structure and framework of a story, including its characters, settings, and events. Plot, on the other hand, zeroes in on the specific sequence of events that drive the story forward, the cause-and-effect chain.
The term narrative can be applied to many forms, including novels, memoirs, oral tales, and more. It's the overarching story told. The plot is the engine within that narrative, the spine, or backbone, making the story cohesive and compelling.
Every story has a narrative, but what keeps readers engaged and turning the pages is often the plot—the challenges, the climax, and the resolution. While a narrative gives context, the plot provides the action.
Consider a biography: the narrative would include the entirety of the person's life, their experiences, relationships, and surroundings. The plot might focus on a specific series of events or challenges they faced and overcame during their life.
A narrative can exist without a strong plot. For instance, a descriptive account of a town might lack a distinct sequence of events. But a plot always requires a narrative, a broader story within which events can unfold.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Structured story or account of events
Sequence of events in a story
Focus
Broader structure including characters, settings
Specific events driving the story
Presence
Can exist without a distinct plot
Always requires a narrative for context
Scope
Can apply to various forms (novels, memoirs, etc.)
Typically found within narratives
Engagement
Provides context and structure
Provides action and holds reader interest
Compare with Definitions
Narrative
The practice or art of storytelling.
He's studying the ancient art of narrative at the university.
Plot
The strategy or main story of a literary work.
She was good at guessing the plot of mystery novels.
Narrative
A structured account of events.
Her narrative about the trip was both entertaining and insightful.
Plot
A plan made in secret by a group.
The detectives uncovered a plot to rob the bank.
Narrative
A representation of a particular situation or process.
The documentary provided a detailed narrative of the ecosystem's decline.
Plot
A plan made in secret by a group of people to do something illegal or harmful
There's a plot to overthrow the government
Narrative
A narrative, story or tale is any account of a series of related events or experiences, whether nonfictional (memoir, biography, news report, documentary, travelogue, etc.) or fictional (fairy tale, fable, legend, thriller, novel, etc.). Narratives can be presented through a sequence of written or spoken words, still or moving images, or any combination of these.
Plot
The main events of a play, novel, film, or similar work, devised and presented by the writer as an interrelated sequence
The plot consists almost entirely of a man and woman falling in love
He outlined his idea for a movie plot
Narrative
A narrated account; a story.
Plot
A small piece of ground marked out for a purpose such as building or gardening
A vegetable plot
Narrative
The art, technique, or process of narrating
The highest form of narrative.
Plot
A graph showing the relation between two variables.
Narrative
A presentation of real-world events that connects them in a storylike way
"There has been less of a coherent, connected media narrative and more of a kind of episodic focus on events, controversies and gaffes" (Mark Jurkowitz).
Plot
Secretly make plans to carry out (an illegal or harmful action)
The two men are serving sentences for plotting a bomb campaign
Brother plots against brother
Narrative
An explanation or interpretation of events in accordance with a particular theory, ideology, or point of view
The competing narratives of capitalism and Marxism.
Plot
Devise the sequence of events in (a play, novel, film, or similar work)
In a crime story you have to plot carefully to achieve the surprise at the end
She would plot a chapter as she drove
Narrative
Consisting of or characterized by the telling of a story
Narrative poetry.
Plot
Mark (a route or position) on a chart
He started to plot lines of ancient sites
Narrative
Of or relating to narration
Narrative skill.
Plot
A small piece of ground, generally used for a specific purpose
A garden plot.
Narrative
Telling a story.
Plot
A measured area of land; a lot.
Narrative
Overly talkative; garrulous.
Plot
A ground plan, as for a building; a diagram.
Narrative
Of or relating to narration.
The narrative thrust of a film
Plot
See graph1.
Narrative
The systematic recitation of an event or series of events.
Plot
The pattern or sequence of interrelated events in a work of fiction, as a novel or film.
Narrative
That which is narrated.
Plot
A secret plan to accomplish a hostile or illegal purpose; a scheme.
Narrative
A representation of an event or story in a way to promote a certain point of view.
Changing, controlling the narrative
Plot
To represent graphically, as on a chart
Plot a ship's course.
Narrative
(creative writing) A manner of conveying a story, fictional or otherwise, in a body of work.
The plot is full of holes, but the narrative is extremely compelling.
Plot
To locate (points or other figures) on a graph by means of coordinates.
Narrative
Of or pertaining to narration; relating to the particulars of an event or transaction.
Plot
To draw (a curve) connecting points on a graph.
Narrative
Apt or inclined to relate stories, or to tell particulars of events; story-telling; garrulous.
But wise through time, and narrative with age.
Plot
To write or develop the plot of
"I began plotting novels at about the time I learned to read" (James Baldwin).
Narrative
That which is narrated; the recital of a story; a continuous account of the particulars of an event or transaction; a story.
Cyntio was much taken with my narrative.
Plot
To form a plot for; prearrange secretly or deviously
Plot an assassination.
Narrative
A message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program;
His narrative was interesting
Disney's stories entertain adults as well as children
Plot
To form or take part in a plot; scheme
Were plotting for months before the attack.
Narrative
Consisting of or characterized by the telling of a story;
Narrative poetry
Plot
To write or develop the plot for a work of fiction
A good mystery writer must plot well.
Narrative
The overarching story told in various forms.
The novel's narrative was intricate and captivating.
Plot
(narratology) The course of a story, comprising a series of incidents which are gradually unfolded, sometimes by unexpected means.
Narrative
A spoken or written account of connected events.
The survivors shared their narratives of the disaster.
Plot
An area or land used for building on or planting on.
Plot
A graph or diagram drawn by hand or produced by a mechanical or electronic device.
Plot
A secret plan to achieve an end, the end or means usually being illegal or otherwise questionable.
The plot would have enabled them to get a majority on the board.
The assassination of Lincoln was part of a larger plot.
Plot
Contrivance; deep reach thought; ability to plot or intrigue.
Plot
Participation in any stratagem or conspiracy.
Plot
A plan; a purpose.
Plot
Attractive physical attributes of characters involved in a story, originating from ironic juxtaposition with the original meaning (course of the story).
I'm not sure what's happening in that show, I mainly watch it for the plot.
Plot
To conceive (a crime, misdeed etc).
They had plotted a robbery.
They were plotting against the king.
Plot
(transitive) To trace out (a graph or diagram).
They plotted the number of edits per day.
Plot
(transitive) To mark (a point on a graph, chart, etc).
Every five minutes they plotted their position.
Plot
A small extent of ground; a plat; as, a garden plot.
Plot
A plantation laid out.
Plot
A plan or draught of a field, farm, estate, etc., drawn to a scale.
Plot
Any scheme, stratagem, secret design, or plan, of a complicated nature, adapted to the accomplishment of some purpose, usually a treacherous and mischievous one; a conspiracy; an intrigue; as, the Rye-house Plot.
I have overheard a plot of death.
O, think what anxious moments pass betweenThe birth of plots and their last fatal periods!
Plot
A share in such a plot or scheme; a participation in any stratagem or conspiracy.
And when Christ saith, Who marries the divorced commits adultery, it is to be understood, if he had any plot in the divorce.
Plot
Contrivance; deep reach of thought; ability to plot or intrigue.
Plot
A plan; a purpose.
Plot
In fiction, the story of a play, novel, romance, or poem, comprising a complication of incidents which are gradually unfolded, sometimes by unexpected means.
If the plot or intrigue must be natural, and such as springs from the subject, then the winding up of the plot must be a probable consequence of all that went before.
Plot
To make a plot, map, pr plan, of; to mark the position of on a plan; to delineate.
This treatise plotteth down Cornwall as it now standeth.
Plot
To form a scheme of mischief against another, especially against a government or those who administer it; to conspire.
The wicked plotteth against the just.
Plot
To contrive a plan or stratagem; to scheme.
The prince did plot to be secretly gone.
Plot
To plan; to scheme; to devise; to contrive secretly.
Plot
A secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal);
They concocted a plot to discredit the governor
I saw through his little game from the start
Plot
A small area of ground covered by specific vegetation;
A bean plot
A cabbage patch
A briar patch
Plot
The story that is told in a novel or play or movie etc.;
The characters were well drawn but the plot was banal
Plot
A chart or map showing the movements or progress of an object
Plot
Plan secretly, usually something illegal;
They plotted the overthrow fo the government
Plot
Make a schematic or technical drawing of that shows how things work or how they are constructed
Plot
Make a plat of;
Plat the town
Plot
The main events devised and presented by the writer.
The movie had an unpredictable plot.
Plot
A sequence of events in a story.
The plot thickened as more clues were revealed.
Plot
The cause-and-effect relationship within a story.
The author used flashbacks to develop the plot further.
Common Curiosities
What specifically does plot refer to in a story?
Plot refers to the specific sequence of events that drive the story forward.
Can plot exist without a narrative?
No, a plot always requires a broader narrative within which its events can unfold.
In terms of structure, what does a plot provide to a story?
Plot provides the specific events that drive the story forward, creating a cause-and-effect chain.
Can a narrative exist without a plot?
Yes, a narrative can exist without a distinct plot but provides context and structure.
Can memoirs and biographies have plots?
Yes, while they are narratives of real-life events, they can have plots focusing on specific sequences of events or challenges.
Which engages the reader more, narrative or plot?
While narrative gives context, the plot, with its action and sequence of events, often holds the reader's interest.
What is the relationship between narrative and plot?
While a narrative provides the overall framework of a story, the plot is the sequence of events within that framework.
What does narrative encompass in storytelling?
Narrative encompasses the broader structure of a story, including its characters, settings, and events.
What's the primary focus of a narrative?
The primary focus of a narrative is the overarching story, including characters, settings, and general events.
Are all narratives fiction?
No, narratives can be both fiction and non-fiction, encompassing a range of storytelling forms.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
