Pitch Dictionary by pitch.dog
Exposition, information & reveals · Working

Red herring

Also called: false lead

ELI5

A misleading clue or emphasis meant to divert attention from the real explanation.

Used in conversation

“The red herring needs to land without a long explanation.”

Definition

A misleading clue or emphasis intended to divert attention from the real explanation.

Here “Red herring” means: A misleading clue or emphasis intended to divert attention from the real explanation. Other meanings are stored as separate sense entries and must be chosen explicitly.

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

  • MisdirectionThe search label “Red herring” can route to both entries.
Sources & evidence · 6

Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.