Literary Devices

Continuity

Continuity binds a story together through consistency of the plot, the characteristics of characters, objects, places and events. It maintains the laws of nature and rational order of the facts, history, and the universe where the story takes place.

Sometimes errors and inconsistencies in the continuity appear in a story. Breaks in continuity that are deliberate are plot devices.

A Plot Hole is a gap in the storyline when the plot contradicts itself or simply leaves unanswered questions.

A Plot Dump is a technique used when a lot of information necessary for understanding the story is given at once, typically in a dialogue between characters.

Sunnydale Syndrome is a common challenge to the suspension of disbelief when the minor characters fail to notice unusual and even paranormal things going right in front of them.

Stormtrooper Effect is a reference to the apparent incapability of minor characters (see also Redshirts) to seriously injure major ones even when having all advantages on their side.

Chuck Cunningham Syndrome is a term that refers to plot twist (usually, in episodic media) when a major character is removed without satisfactory explanation or no explanation at all.