Is there a difference between a one-dimensional and two-dimensional story?

Posted by admin on February 21st, 2010 and filed under story critics | 4 Comments »

This may be a good question for an English major. Critics with a low opinion of a movie or book will sometimes describe the plot as a "one-" or "two-" dimensional story. Sometimes, colleagues will critique another for their "one-" or "two-" dimensional understanding of a situation.

I understand these to be ways of saying "too simplistic". But is there a difference between the two descriptors?

one dimensional – too superficial – does not "grab" reader

two dimensional – complex and entices reader

4 Responses

  1. Libby Says:

    one dimensional – too superficial – does not "grab" reader

    two dimensional – complex and entices reader
    References :

  2. Kam F Says:

    One dimensional in a movie could mean there is only one plot, and problem in the movie, while two dimensional has more than one problem, and sometimes multiple plots.
    References :

  3. Persiphone_Hellecat Says:

    I would say a one dimensional story is told from one perspective and a two dimensional story is told from two perspectives. Like from the detective as well as the killer’s perspective. James Patterson and Dean Koontz do this quite well. It’s also my personal style.
    —-
    They’re, Their, There – Three Different Words.

    Careful or you may wind up in my next novel.

    Pax – C
    References :

  4. Ruth C Says:

    one dimensional is a story that’s told. two dimensional is a story that’s seen. A three dimensional story would be one that is LIVED
    References :

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