Storyline vs. Plot — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 28, 2023
Storyline refers to a narrative's central idea or sequence, while the plot is the organized series of events that compose the story.
Difference Between Storyline and Plot
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A storyline can be thought of as the backbone or central thread of a narrative. It gives a high-level view of the main events or concepts within a story. Conversely, a plot delves deeper, presenting the structured sequence of events, the cause-and-effect relationships, and the intricacies that make up the narrative.
When someone refers to a storyline, they're often talking about a particular thread or element within the larger narrative. For example, in a movie, there might be a love storyline alongside a revenge storyline. The plot, on the other hand, encompasses all these storylines, providing the cohesive structure that ties them all together.
In essence, the storyline is about the "what" of the story. It's a linear progression of main events or themes. The plot, however, is more about the "how" and "why." It provides context, presents conflicts, and shows how they're resolved.
Another way to look at it is by considering a multi-season TV show. Each episode might have its own storyline, or a few interwoven ones. But the overall plot of the show is what carries through from the first episode to the last, combining all the storylines into a cohesive whole.
It's important to note that while every story has a plot, not every story has multiple storylines. A short story, for instance, might have a straightforward plot with just one central storyline.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
The main idea or thread of a story
The structured sequence of events in a story
Depth
Broad overview
Detailed sequence with cause and effect
Elements
Main events or concepts
Context, conflicts, resolutions
Perspective
"What" of the story
"How" and "Why" of the story
Complexity
Can be single or multiple threads
Comprehensive structure combining all storylines
Compare with Definitions
Storyline
A narrative's primary theme.
The love storyline was touching and well-developed.
Plot
The sequence of events in a narrative.
The plot was intricate, with numerous unexpected twists.
Storyline
A specific thread within a larger plot.
The revenge storyline added a lot of suspense to the movie.
Plot
The combination of storylines in a narrative.
The plot masterfully wove together multiple storylines.
Storyline
The overarching idea of a story.
The storyline focused on the importance of family.
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
Storyline
The main sequence of events in a narrative.
The storyline followed the protagonist's journey from rags to riches.
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
Storyline
A track of events that revolves around a specific character or concept.
The detective's personal storyline added depth to the crime drama.
Plot
A small piece of ground marked out for a purpose such as building or gardening
A vegetable plot
Storyline
The plot of a story or dramatic work.
Plot
A graph showing the relation between two variables.
Storyline
One of the narrative strands forming a complex story
"Murr, a bracingly straightforward writer whose flourishes are rare and subtle ... dexterously advances multiple story lines, overlapping them now and then with rich results" (Mark Kamine).
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
Storyline
(authorship) The plot of a story. Category:en:Narratology Category:en:Narratology
That film had a wonderful storyline, but the poor acting let it down.
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
Storyline
(climate science) A narrative description of a given modeling scenario, highlighting its main characteristics and underlying technical and socioeconomic drivers.
Plot
Mark (a route or position) on a chart
He started to plot lines of ancient sites
Storyline
The plot of a book or play or film
Plot
A small piece of ground, generally used for a specific purpose
A garden plot.
Plot
A measured area of land; a lot.
Plot
A ground plan, as for a building; a diagram.
Plot
See graph1.
Plot
The pattern or sequence of interrelated events in a work of fiction, as a novel or film.
Plot
A secret plan to accomplish a hostile or illegal purpose; a scheme.
Plot
To represent graphically, as on a chart
Plot a ship's course.
Plot
To locate (points or other figures) on a graph by means of coordinates.
Plot
To draw (a curve) connecting points on a graph.
Plot
To write or develop the plot of
"I began plotting novels at about the time I learned to read" (James Baldwin).
Plot
To form a plot for; prearrange secretly or deviously
Plot an assassination.
Plot
To form or take part in a plot; scheme
Were plotting for months before the attack.
Plot
To write or develop the plot for a work of fiction
A good mystery writer must plot well.
Plot
(narratology) The course of a story, comprising a series of incidents which are gradually unfolded, sometimes by unexpected means.
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 structure that gives a story its shape.
The plot began with an introduction, rose to a climax, and concluded satisfyingly.
Plot
A narrative's central conflict and its resolution.
The plot revolved around a mystery that was unveiled in the final chapter.
Plot
The cause-and-effect relationships in a story.
The plot demonstrated how the protagonist's choices led to inevitable consequences.
Common Curiosities
Can a story have multiple storylines but one plot?
Yes, a story can have several storylines that are all part of one overarching plot.
Is the storyline the same as the plot?
No, the storyline is the main idea or thread, while the plot is the structured sequence of events.
Can a storyline exist without a plot?
No, a storyline is a part of a plot. Even if there's only one storyline, it's encompassed by the plot.
Is the storyline always linear?
No, a storyline can be non-linear, with events not following a strict sequence.
Is the climax part of the storyline or plot?
The climax is a component of the plot, as it's a key structured event in the narrative.
Can a subplot be considered a storyline?
Yes, a subplot can be viewed as a secondary storyline within the main plot.
Is the resolution part of the storyline or the plot?
The resolution is a part of the plot, concluding the sequence of events.
Which is more detailed, storyline or plot?
The plot is more detailed, as it includes the structure, conflicts, and resolutions of the story.
Does every story need a complex plot?
No, some stories have straightforward plots but can still be engaging.
Is the plot always complex?
Not necessarily; a plot can be simple or complex, depending on the narrative.
What drives the plot forward?
The plot is driven by characters' actions, decisions, and the resulting consequences.
Which comes first, storyline or plot?
Often, a storyline or idea comes first, which then gets developed into a full-fledged plot.
How important is the plot to a story's success?
The plot is crucial as it gives structure and direction to the narrative.
Can a story have more plot than storyline?
Since a storyline is a component of a plot, a story will always have a plot, whether it consists of one or multiple storylines.
Can a story have multiple plots?
Typically, a story has one main plot, but it can contain several subplots or storylines.
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Written 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.
