ploty

Ploty is a term that has gained some traction in online communities, particularly within fandoms and creative writing circles. It is generally understood as a portmanteau of "plot" and "pointless," referring to a narrative element or a sequence of events within a story that serves little to no significant purpose for the overall plot progression, character development, or thematic resonance.

The concept of a "ploty" is subjective and often debated. What one reader or viewer might consider a gratuitous or unnecessary detail, another might see as world-building, character insight, or even foreshadowing that is not immediately apparent. However, the core idea revolves around a perceived lack of narrative function.

Examples of what might be considered ploty can include extended descriptions of mundane activities, subplots that are introduced and then abandoned without resolution, or character interactions that do not advance the main storyline. In some cases, ploty elements can be intentional, used by creators to deliberately subvert expectations or to create a more realistic, if meandering, depiction of life. Conversely, they can also be unintended consequences of a story's development, arising from rushed writing or a loss of focus. The identification of ploty is often a critical exercise in analyzing narrative efficiency and purpose.