plotdriven

Plotdriven is a term used in narrative analysis to describe works in which the plot’s events, structure, and causal progression primarily drive the story, rather than the inner development of characters. The term is often written as plot-driven, but plotdriven appears in informal usage and branding contexts. In plotdriven narratives, external obstacles, twists, and secrets steer the action, and the sequence of scenes and revelations builds suspense and momentum. Character actions may be reactive or secondary, and character insight often emerges through the consequences of plot events rather than through explicit character study.

This approach is common in genres such as thrillers, mysteries, and adventure tales, where momentum, pacing, and puzzle-solving tend to take precedence over slow character exploration. In film, television, and video games, plotdriven design emphasizes scripted events, escalating stakes, and cause-and-effect sequences that guide the audience through a predetermined arc or multiple potential outcomes.

Critics often contrast plotdriven works with character-driven narratives, which foreground character psychology, growth, and relationships, allowing plot to arise from character decisions and development. In practice, many works blend elements of both approaches, using plot to illuminate character or letting complex character dynamics complicate plot progression.

Notes on terminology: plot-driven and plotdriven are used variably across sources, with hyphenated form being more common in scholarly writing and the unhyphenated form appearing in casual or branding contexts. Overall, plotdriven denotes a narrative emphasis on plot mechanics as the primary engine of storytelling.