Vernacular: acts

An ACT is a series of sequences that peaks in a climactic scene which causes a major reversal of values, more powerful in its impact than any previous sequence or scene.

[Robert McKee--STORY]

Vernacular: archplot

ARCHPLOTS have causality, closed endings, linear time, external conflict, consistent reality, and a single, active protagonist.

Most human beings believe that life brings closed experiences of absolute, irreversible change; that their greatest sources of conflict are external to themselves, that they are the single and active protagonists of their own existence; that their existence operates through continuous time within a consistent, causally interconnected reality; and that inside this reality, events happen for explainable and meaningful reasons.

[Robert McKee--STORY]

Vernacular: miniplot

MINIPLOTS have open endings, internal conflict, and multiple, passive protagonists.

[Robert McKee--STORY]

Vernacular: antiplot

ANTIPLOTS have coincidence, non-linear time, and inconsistent realities

A story must obey its own internal laws of probability. The event choices of the writer are limited to the possibilities and probabilities within the world he creates.

[Robert McKee--STORY]