What is a Plot Point?

Have you ever found yourself glued to a book or unable to tear your eyes away from the screen during a movie? Chances are, plot points have caught you up in their whirlwind. But what exactly are these mysterious elements that keep us hooked? 

The term “plot” refers to both the storyline and its progression, including the occurrences and changes during the story’s timeline. It also refers to specific events within each chapter of a novel. 

In this article, we’ll unravel the secrets behind plot points in storytelling. Prepare to discover how these pivotal moments propel narratives forward, keeping you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

Let’s dive in. 

• What is a Plot Point?
• Use Squibler to Introduce a Plot Point
• What are the Types of Plot Points?
• How Does a Plot Point Affect the Protagonist?
• Plot Point Vs. Plot – What’s the Difference?
• Tips to Create a Strong Plot Point for a Story
• Final Remarks
• FAQs

What is a Plot Point?

Plot points are the game-changers in a story, the moments that shake things up and set the narrative on a new course. Think of them as key events that shape what happens next in the tale. They’re like plot twists or pivotal scenes that redirect the storyline from its original path.

As an author, it is crucial to understand plot points in many stories because they carry the power to breathe life into your narrative, injecting it with fresh energy and keeping readers eagerly flipping pages. But not every event in your story qualifies as a major plot point. Only those incidents that significantly impact the direction or outcome of the plot count are the main plot points.

These moments aren’t just about advancing the plot; they also play a vital role in character development. They can mark a major turning point in a character’s journey, forcing them to confront challenges, make tough decisions, or embark on new adventures. In essence, plot points propel both the story and its characters forward.

Example of a Plot Point

Consider a man who has never experienced love. A major plot point occurs when he falls deeply in love with his neighbor. This encounter teaches him about love and how to love, transforming his life. The second plot point tests his new capacity for love by introducing a challenge that forces him to confront his past emotional barriers.

Alternatively, imagine someone who has hidden their true self, experiencing a transformative plot point when they meet someone who changes their life overnight. In this story, a final plot point might involve this character facing a tragedy or significant setback, pushing them to face their fears and insecurities.

These key plot points shift the characters’ mundane lives in dramatic new directions, driving interest and offering fresh perspectives to the narrative.

Use Squibler to Introduce a Plot Point

Oftentimes, you have the idea around the main plot point but are stuck with developing it relevantly inside the story. Or you have the story but don’t know how to introduce the plot point.

Squibler comes in handy in such situations. You can use the Smart Writer and explain your idea to the AI model. It will then work in a matter of seconds to come up with suggestions on how you can elaborate on your story. 

You can not just seek suggestions, but also command it to rephrase, add more intensity, and conflict to your current plot point. 

What are the Types of Plot Points?

Plot points can occur at any point within the story, but some primary plot points are present in almost every story. Here’s a brief on the fundamental types of plot points:

1. Inciting Incident

An inciting incident occurs within the first five pages of a novel or relatively early in any story. Stories with a three-act structure tend to feature this type of plot point.

You can consider a situation where the protagonist has just realized that his or her life isn’t the same anymore. However, this incident isn’t enough to transform their lives completely, and that’s what the rest of the story has to continue. 

So, after this incident, the protagonist will return to his/her everyday life. 

It’s common for authors to use an inciting incident to introduce conflict between characters. For example, two people fall in love but know they can’t be together because one person has already married someone else. 

2. First Plot Point

This plot point occurs due to the events of the inciting incident. It often leads to significant emotional or physical changes in the protagonist. It can create a situation of conflict, where the hero has to make a final act or a major decision. 

For example, Bruce Wayne as a child, watches his parents getting murdered by a mugger. He immediately couldn’t take any action but understood that his life would never be the same ever again. Slowly, he confides to his butler Alfred, who later becomes his guardian and friend. 

The first plot point tends to occur about midway through the novel, but this is not always the case. It can be at any point in a story until some climax has been reached – which would then become the main plot point for that particular story. 

3. The Midpoint

This section follows after the first plot point, where the protagonist tries to pick themselves up and move forward with their life. Most of the initial problems will be solved by this time, but the protagonist faces more significant issues.

Therefore, the story will yet again push in a new direction. It’s at this point where both the character and story start to develop. 

You can introduce the midpoint anywhere in the middle section of the story, dividing it into two parts. After the midpoint, the protagonist will try to solve the problem or overcome the challenge presented.

4. Climax

These plot points drive the story to a climactic turning point. Writers tend to use them to capture intense moments that engage readers effectively. This approach makes the climax compelling and impactful.

For example, the main character finally learns something that will change everything about their life. Many writers consider the climax as the most important plot point in any book. It’s because it brings all of the tension to a conclusive end.

How Does a Plot Point Affect the Protagonist?

A plot point can transform the entire life story of the protagonist. It can change their life entirely or just for a while. However, this transformation can be positive or negative. Whatever it is, the plot point has to alter the protagonist’s life in a story, shaping their journey and character development in significant ways. Here’s how the main plot points affect the protagonists:

1. Living Outside Comfort Zone: Plot points present the protagonist with challenges or obstacles that force them out of their comfort zone. These challenges push the protagonist to grow, adapt, and develop new skills or perspectives. For example, a plot point might introduce a sudden betrayal by a trusted ally, compelling the protagonist to reassess their beliefs and alliances.
2. Life-Impacting Decisions: Plot points tend to require the protagonist to make critical decisions that have far-reaching consequences. These decisions can reveal the protagonist’s values, priorities, and inner conflicts. Whether it’s choosing between personal gain and moral integrity or deciding the fate of a loved one, these pivotal moments define the protagonist’s character and drive the story forward.
3. Heartbreaks and Emotional Impact: Plot points often evoke strong emotional responses from the protagonist, ranging from joy and triumph to despair and heartbreak. These emotional experiences deepen the protagonist’s complexity and relatability, allowing readers to empathize with their struggles and achievements. For instance, a plot point can involve the loss of a loved one, plunging the protagonist into grief and despair while motivating them to seek justice or redemption.
4. Life Motivation and Goals: Plot points can alter the protagonist’s motivations and goals, inspiring them to pursue new objectives or abandon old ones. These shifts in motivation drive the protagonist’s actions and choices, propelling the story towards its climax and resolution. For example, a plot point might reveal a hidden threat to the protagonist’s loved ones, prompting them to embark on a dangerous quest to protect those they hold dear.

Plot points act as catalysts in the protagonist’s or hero’s journey, shaping their character arc and driving the narrative toward its conclusion. They challenge, test, and transform the protagonist, crafting a compelling and dynamic story that resonates with readers long after they turn the final page.

The protagonist must be aware of that plot point, and the writer is responsible for executing it properly. 

Plot Point Vs. Plot – What’s the Difference?

A plot point is a pivotal moment in the story, usually arising halfway through the story or even before it. It can be a problem or an opportunity that the protagonist faces, which leads them into action. These moments are memorable because they are major turning points that significantly influence the plot and character arcs. 

A plot, on the other hand, refers to everything that happens between these points of change – how they get from one point to another. It describes how events unfold to make up the overall storyline. So, a plot defines what the story is about and is a collection of different plot points.

However, if any of those events in the plot doesn’t have any significant effect on the protagonist or the narrative, it isn’t a plot point. 

Tips to Create a Strong Plot Point for a Story

Plot points not only give your story substance but also make it compelling enough to restore the reader’s attention. Here are some tips for creating and using plot points in any story:

1. Introduce a new problem or opportunity for the protagonist. This can be something that happens before the start of the story to create tension and conflict. 
2. Ensure it deeply impacts both the protagonist and the story arc.
3. Invoke a dramatic turn of events. It is typically the discovery that triggers new problems or opportunities in the story.
4. Create an unexpected plot twist, which should be believable and have consequences for your protagonist and other characters.
5. Introduce some new information to your reader. It must make them question their previous assumptions about the plot line up to this point. 

Whatever you do, make sure the reader is hooked to read the story further and reaches the end already excited. 

Final Remarks

Plot points are essential for any good story, to progress and keep the reader intrigued till the very end. No matter which direction they take the story, they always stay rooted to the central plotline. So, even if a plot point seems irrelevant, it will somehow add to the protagonist’s character and take the plot to another level.

Therefore, if you’re writing a story, make sure not to introduce too many plot points, which might confuse the reader. Your aim must be to create an exciting narrative that stays with the reader long after reading it.  

FAQs

Here is a list of questions that authors commonly ask regarding plot points: 

What exactly are plot points?

Plot points are crucial events or moments in a story that drives the narrative forward. They’re like milestones marking significant changes or developments in the plot.

Why are plot points important?

Plot points keep you engaged in the story by introducing twists, conflicts, or resolutions. They maintain the story’s momentum and prevent it from feeling stagnant.

How do plot points differ from regular events in a story?

Unlike ordinary events, plot points are pivotal moments that alter the direction of the narrative. They have a significant impact on the characters and the overall storyline.

Can you give examples of common plot points?

Examples include the inciting incident that introduces the main conflict, the first pinch point, the midpoint that marks a turning point in the story, and the climax, where tensions reach their peak.

Are plot points the same in every type of story?

Not necessarily. While certain plot points like the climax are universal, their specifics can vary depending on the genre, style, and structure of the story.

How can I identify plot points when reading or watching a story?

Look for moments that significantly change the direction of the plot or have a deep impact on the characters. These are likely the major plot points that drive the narrative forward.

Josh Fechter

Josh is the founder and CEO of Squibler. He's authored several best-selling books and created one of the largest communities of writers online.