Plot vs. Setting — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 23, 2023
Plot is the sequence of events; Setting is where and when they occur. A well-developed Plot is like the heartbeat of a story, dictating its pace, twists, and turns. The Setting, akin to a story's skin, wraps the Plot in a layer of environment & culture.
Difference Between Plot and Setting
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The term Plot pertains to the structured sequence of events that make up a story. Setting, on the other hand, revolves around the time and place these events unfold. These elements are foundational in crafting narratives. Plot drives the action, conflict, and resolution, while Setting offers the backdrop and contextual atmosphere.
Plot in storytelling refers to the chain of events and the intricate web of cause and effect relationships that shape the narrative. Setting not only provides the spatial and temporal stage for the Plot but also infuses the story with mood, culture, and tangible surroundings. In essence, the Plot tells us "what" happens and "how" it happens, while the Setting gives insights into "where" and "when."
In literature, a captivating Plot keeps the reader hooked, making them invested in the outcomes and fates of characters. The Setting, by anchoring these events in a time and place, brings authenticity and relatability. A character's choices in a Plot can be influenced by the nuances and constraints of the Setting.
A well-developed Plot is like the heartbeat of a story, dictating its pace, twists, and turns. The Setting, akin to a story's skin, wraps the Plot in a layer of environment, culture, and temporal specificity. Without either, a narrative might feel incomplete or disconnected.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Sequence of events in a story.
Time and place of events in a story.
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Function
Drives the story forward.
Provides context and mood to the story.
Importance
Determines action and conflict.
Adds depth, relatability, and atmosphere.
Relationship
Dictates character decisions and outcomes.
Influences character behaviors & choices.
Variability
Can have twists and turns.
Remains relatively constant in a story.
Compare with Definitions
Plot
A storyline or sequence of events.
The movie had an unexpected Plot twist.
Setting
A background or environment for an event.
The sunsets provided a beautiful Setting for their wedding.
Plot
A plan or scheme to achieve something.
They devised a Plot to steal the artwork.
Setting
The place and time where a story occurs.
The Setting of the story was a medieval kingdom.
Plot
The act of marking or laying out something.
She did a Plot of the data on the graph.
Setting
The process of becoming firm or solid.
The concrete requires a 24-hour Setting time.
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
Setting
The position, direction, or way in which something, such as an automatic control, is set.
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
Setting
The context and environment in which a situation is set; the background.
Plot
A small piece of ground marked out for a purpose such as building or gardening
A vegetable plot
Setting
The time, place, and circumstances in which a narrative, drama, or film takes place.
Plot
A graph showing the relation between two variables.
Setting
(Music) A composition written or arranged to fit a text, such as a poetical work.
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
Setting
A mounting, as for a jewel.
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
Setting
A place setting.
Plot
Mark (a route or position) on a chart
He started to plot lines of ancient sites
Setting
A set of eggs in a hen's nest.
Plot
A small piece of ground, generally used for a specific purpose
A garden plot.
Setting
Present participle of set
Plot
A measured area of land; a lot.
Setting
The time, place and circumstance in which something (such as a story or picture) is set; context; scenario.
Plot
A ground plan, as for a building; a diagram.
Setting
The act of setting.
The setting of the sun
The setting, or hardening, of moist plaster of Paris
Plot
See graph1.
Setting
A piece of metal in which a precious stone or gem is fixed to form a piece of jewelry.
Plot
The pattern or sequence of interrelated events in a work of fiction, as a novel or film.
Setting
A level or placement that a knob or control is set to.
The volume setting on a television
Plot
A secret plan to accomplish a hostile or illegal purpose; a scheme.
Setting
The act of marking the position of game, as a setter does.
Plot
To represent graphically, as on a chart
Plot a ship's course.
Setting
Hunting with a setter.
Plot
To locate (points or other figures) on a graph by means of coordinates.
Setting
Something set in, or inserted.
Plot
To draw (a curve) connecting points on a graph.
Setting
A piece of vocal or choral music composed for particular words (set to music).
Schubert's setting of Goethe's poem
Bach's setting of the Magnificat
Plot
To write or develop the plot of
"I began plotting novels at about the time I learned to read" (James Baldwin).
Setting
The mounting of a play, etc., for the stage.
Plot
To form a plot for; prearrange secretly or deviously
Plot an assassination.
Setting
The direction of a current of wind.
Plot
To form or take part in a plot; scheme
Were plotting for months before the attack.
Setting
That disappears below the horizon
The setting sun
Plot
To write or develop the plot for a work of fiction
A good mystery writer must plot well.
Setting
The act of one who, or that which, sets; as, the setting of type, or of gems; the setting of the sun; the setting (hardening) of moist plaster of Paris; the setting (set) of a current.
Plot
(narratology) The course of a story, comprising a series of incidents which are gradually unfolded, sometimes by unexpected means.
Setting
The act of marking the position of game, as a setter does; also, hunting with a setter.
Plot
An area or land used for building on or planting on.
Setting
Something set in, or inserted.
Thou shalt set in it settings of stones.
Plot
A graph or diagram drawn by hand or produced by a mechanical or electronic device.
Setting
That in which something, as a gem, is set; as, the gold setting of a jeweled pin.
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.
Setting
The time, place, and circumstances in which an event (real or fictional) occurs; as, the setting of a novel.
Plot
Contrivance; deep reach thought; ability to plot or intrigue.
Setting
The context and environment in which something is set;
The perfect setting for a ghost story
Plot
Participation in any stratagem or conspiracy.
Setting
The state of the environment in which a situation exists;
You can't do that in a university setting
Plot
A plan; a purpose.
Setting
Arrangement of scenery and properties to represent the place where a play or movie is enacted
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.
Setting
The physical position of something;
He changed the setting on the thermostat
Plot
To conceive (a crime, misdeed etc).
They had plotted a robbery.
They were plotting against the king.
Setting
A table service for one person;
A place setting of sterling flatware
Plot
(transitive) To trace out (a graph or diagram).
They plotted the number of edits per day.
Setting
Mounting consisting of a piece of metal (as in a ring or other jewelry) that holds a gem in place;
The diamond was in a plain gold mount
Plot
(transitive) To mark (a point on a graph, chart, etc).
Every five minutes they plotted their position.
Setting
(of a heavenly body) disappearing below the horizon;
The setting sun
Plot
A small extent of ground; a plat; as, a garden plot.
Setting
The position or adjustments of a device.
Adjust the Setting of the oven to 350°F.
Plot
A plantation laid out.
Setting
The context in which something is placed or arranged.
The diamond was impressive in its Setting.
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 in a narrative or play.
The Plot of the novel was captivating from start to finish.
Plot
A mapped out piece of land.
He bought a Plot of land to build his house.
Common Curiosities
Does every story need a defined Plot and Setting?
While most do, there are experimental narratives that might defy traditional structures.
How does Setting differ from Plot?
Setting refers to the time and place where the story happens, while Plot is the sequence of events in the story.
Can a story have multiple Settings?
Yes, a story can shift between various Settings, enhancing the narrative's depth and scope.
How important is Plot in a story?
Plot is crucial as it dictates the action, conflict, and resolution that keeps readers engaged.
Does Setting influence character behaviors in a narrative?
Yes, Setting can influence characters' choices, behaviors, and even their worldviews.
Is it possible for a story to have a good Plot but a weak Setting?
Yes, but a weak Setting might make the story less immersive or relatable.
How can Setting enhance the reader's experience?
By providing depth, cultural context, and a tangible environment, it makes the narrative more vivid.
What is a Plot in literature?
A Plot is the structured sequence of events or the main storyline in a narrative.
What happens if a story lacks a well-defined Plot?
A story without a strong Plot may feel aimless or confusing to the audience.
How do writers develop a compelling Plot?
By introducing conflicts, character developments, and unexpected twists that keep readers invested.
Can the same Plot work in different Settings?
Yes, but the nuances and outcomes might vary based on the contextual influences of the Setting.
Can the Setting of a story change its tone?
Absolutely, the Setting can create mood, atmosphere, and influence the story's overall tone.
Are there stories without a clear Plot?
Yes, some narratives focus more on character study or mood, rather than a traditional Plot.
Can a story's Setting be a fictional or fantastical place?
Yes, many stories use fictional or fantastical Settings to introduce unique elements or themes.
How do Plot and Setting work together in a narrative?
Plot provides the action and sequence, while Setting offers the contextual backdrop and atmosphere.
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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.
