Plot hole

Factual errors are events or details that are impossible within the universe of the story. For example, a story set in the 1700s could not feature a character driving a car unless the plot has an alternative timeline, because cars were not invented until 1886.[2] Careful research about the time period of the story, the professions of the characters, and the topics that the characters are knowledgeable about can help resolve and prevent factual errors.[3]

Any occurrence that defies the laws of science is an impossible event.[4] For example, a character holds their breath for 20 minutes or defies the law of gravity and flies in order to overcome an obstacle. Even though magic, technology and special talent can help account for these events, there should still be an in-universe reason for these scenarios to occur. If there are rules or details that an audience doesn't know, the story should include more backstory and world-building to show why those events are possible.[3]

Unbelievable character choices occur when a character suddenly makes a choice that goes against everything a writer has written them to be. Though the character can change, the change should be gradual or otherwise believable.[3]

Events that disturb the story's internal logic can generate big plot holes. For example, a character should not suddenly be capable of using magic in a world where magic does not exist.[4]

Contradictions stem from introducing a rule and breaking it later in a story. For example, if a writer establishes at the beginning of a story that a person cannot come back from being dead, but a deceased character appears again for story purposes, that creates a contradiction in a story and therefore generates a plot hole. Contradicting rules weaken the narrative, depriving audiences of the grounded sense of information that they need to immerse themselves fully.[4]

Unresolved storylines arise when there is a plot aside from the main plot that is left unfinished.[3] Too many loose ends can make a story feel incomplete. Leaving loose ends can also lower the stakes of your story since there are no real consequences to anything that happens outside the main plot. For example, a character who is introduced with a storyline that has an effect on the plot or affects the protagonist but is forgotten about later would be an unresolved storyline. [4]

Continuity errors are consistency issues in the plot, objects, settings, and characteristics of people. For example, a name of a character suddenly changes. Or a character was riding a bus on the way to something but when they arrived, they are seen driving a car. [3]