What is a Plot Hole?

At some point in every writer’s self-editing process, they’ll need to check their manuscript for plot holes. Although it’s something many writers may be able to identify for themselves, it’s always possible to miss one or two…until the manuscript is in the hands of alpha or beta readers or with a developmental editor. And while plot holes should always be addressed as early in the self-editing process as possible, they can be difficult to find until you have a thorough understanding of what a plot hole is. 

Plot holes can manifest in either the plot itself—the story progression or cohesiveness—as well as in character development. According to the leading minds in the literary industry, there are five basic types of plot holes. These include factual errors, impossible events, illogical plot developments, contradictions, and unresolved storylines. 

Factual Errors and Impossible Events 

Some of these plot holes, such as factual errors and impossible events, can easily be resolved by simply checking your work. For example, if you’re writing about United States presidents and say that George Washington attended the inauguration of Thomas Jefferson, that’d be incorrect; George Washington died in 1799 and Thomas Jefferson didn’t become president until 1801. To say otherwise would be a factual error. Similarly, if something happens that contradicts the laws of physics or science as we currently understand them (or those of the fictional world you’ve created if you’re writing fantasy or magical realism, for example), that would fall under the category of impossible events, which defy real-life (or fictional world real-life) logic.  

Illogical Plot Developments 

When the manner of logic in your story is abruptly disrupted, a plot hole may have formed in the shape of an illogical plot development. These can occur when something that a reader had no reason to expect might unfold, does so. While foreshadowing and plot twists have their place, if you’ve written a story in which there is a massive language barrier between characters, but suddenly, they’re able to communicate without any difficulty and no explanation as to why that is, the plot may have taken an illogical turn. Or maybe your main character’s grandmother never learned to read but called up the main character to tell them about an article she just read in the newspaper. Readers are more likely to enjoy stories that they can invest in logically as well as emotionally. 

Contradictions 

Akin to illogical plot development, plot holes in the form of contradictions are common. If a character’s father is missing at the beginning of the story, but later, they’re standing in the garage chatting and the father was never missing, the story has contradicted itself. Or perhaps your main character was admiring the graphic on their friend’s t-shirt and moments later that friend is undoing the buttons on the shirt sleeves to roll them up. These sorts of events can uproot readers, leaving them feeling confused about your world as well as your characters’ experiences, and leave them feeling distrustful, which will interfere with their ability to be invested in your story.  

Unresolved Storylines 

Likewise, unresolved storylines—even in subplots—can leave readers wanting more, and not in a way that keeps them turning the pages. When a predicament is introduced but never resolved, not only can the story feel incomplete, but it may result in readers wondering why that part of the story was left unresolved. Of course, there may be minor details that don’t warrant any kind of closure, but conflicts that impact the story almost always require closure, and failing to do so will leave the reader feeling confused instead of satisfied. 

Because a reader only has the information you’ve provided them, these potential gaps in their understanding of your world and its characters can greatly impact their reading experience and overall enjoyment of your story. Therefore, if you present readers with a story without first assessing the implications of each plot point, the details of each character’s behavior and development, and your world-building (especially if writing science fiction, high fantasy, or historical fiction, for example), readers may find your story unsatisfying. While it can feel incredibly tedious to go over your manuscript multiple times to check for plot holes, finding the right editor can certainly help the process. And even if you’re writing without experience, remember that with dedication and focus, even the roughest draft can become a polished final manuscript—without any plot holes, of course.