Pitch Dictionary by pitch.dog
Plot structure & turning points · Working

Catalyst

Also called: trigger

ELI5

An event or influence that triggers significant story action or change.

Used in conversation

“Can we make the catalyst clearer in the next draft?”

Pitch context

Use this when explaining how the story works on the page or across the finished screen experience.

Why it matters: Helps describe how a story works on the page and how its dramatic parts fit together.

Connected terms

  • Inciting incidentBoth disturb the status quo; “inciting incident” usually names the event launching the central action, while “catalyst” may be used more loosely.
Sources & evidence · 6

Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.