A "Story" is Not the Same as a "Plot"

© 2007, Christina Hamlett; an award winning author and instructor for the Writing Learning Centre

The words "story" and "plot" are often used interchangeably. So much so, in fact, that new writers often think that they share the same definition. Where this belief can lead them astray is in planning the direction they want their projects and imaginations to go.

Let's say that your friends ask you what your movie is going to be about. Your answer is likely to be something along the order of "It's about a homecoming queen who loses her crown" or "It's about a parrot that likes to herd sheep" or "It's about a college dropout who goes to live with his grandfather."

The operative words in each case are "It's about" — a one-liner summary of the type of tale it's going to be without giving away any of the specifics on where the characters came from or where they're going next. When you can explain the gist of your film in one sentence like the examples above, you're talking about the story.

Assuming your listeners are intrigued with your reply, the next thing they will probably ask is, "How did she lose her crown?" "Where did the parrot learn to do that?" or "Do the two of them get along?" Any question that queries how a situation happened to come about or how it is going to unfold in the future is answered in terms of the plot.

Examples:

Braveheart is the story of William Wallace. The plot of Braveheart is how the murder of his wife encouraged a pacifist Scotsman to lead his countrymen in rebellion against the English.

The Incredibles is the story of a family of superheroes living in the suburbs. The plot of The Incredibles is how they use their respective talents to defeat an evil menace that is threatening the world as they know it.

Big is the story of a 13-year old boy who makes a wish and wakes up as an adult. The plot of Big (and the subsequent clone 13 Going on 30 starring Jennifer Garner) is how adults learn the importance of never letting go of their inner kid…and how kids learn to be very careful what they wish for.

Although words "story" and "plot" have independent meanings, they are nonetheless dependent on each other's presence when it comes to developing a commercial script. A story needs a plot to help it stay on course, open up speed and reach the finish line. A plot, however, needs the vehicle of an interesting story to give it a starting point to enter the track in the first place.

Instructor Bio

Former actress/director Christina Hamlett is an award winning author, script consultant and ghostwriter, whose credits include 25 books, 123 plays and musicals, 5 optioned features, and screenwriting/playwriting columns and interviews that appear throughout the world.

Christina teaches the course "How to Write (and Sell) Your First Screenplay" at the Writing Learning Centre.