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  1. MacGuffin - Wikipedia

    In fiction, a MacGuffin (sometimes McGuffin) is an object, device, or event that is necessary to the plot and the motivation of the characters, but insignificant, unimportant, or irrelevant in itself. …

  2. MacGuffin | Definition, Origin, Hitchcock, Examples, & Facts

    MacGuffin, element in a work of fiction that drives the plot and motivates the characters despite being relatively insignificant to the story. A story’s MacGuffin can take the form of an object, …

  3. What is a MacGuffin — Definition and Examples - StudioBinder

    Feb 8, 2025 · A MacGuffin is a plot device that either serves as a catalyst for the action in a story. It can be a goal, person, object, or idea the characters are in pursuit of, and it generally needs …

  4. MacGuffin - TV Tropes

    " MacGuffin " (a.k.a. McGuffin or maguffin) is a term for an object or element in a story that drives the plot, but serves no further purpose. It won't pop up again later, it won't explain the ending, …

  5. MACGUFFIN Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

    The meaning of MACGUFFIN is an object, event, or character in a film or story that serves to set and keep the plot in motion despite usually lacking intrinsic importance.

  6. Writing 101: What Is a MacGuffin? Learn About MacGuffins in …

    Sep 2, 2022 · A MacGuffin is an object, idea, person, or goal that the characters are either in pursuit of or which serves as motivation for their actions. Usually, the MacGuffin is revealed in …

  7. Where Did the Term “MacGuffin” Come From? - Pop Culture …

    A MacGuffin (or McGuffin, people use the two pretty much interchangeably) is a term for the ostensible driving force of a story but really exists just to be what drives the story. In other …

  8. What Is A MacGuffin? Definition + Good & Bad Examples Explained

    Jun 9, 2021 · What is a MacGuffin in film? Learn the definition, how it works, and why some MacGuffins are strong while others fall flat.

  9. What Is a MacGuffin? - By Britton Perelman

    May 31, 2024 · A MacGuffin is a type of plot device, narrative techniques that help advance the plot of a story. These mechanisms often have bad reputations as lazy writing, but plot devices …

  10. What Are MacGuffins and How Do They Drive Stories?

    Oct 15, 2024 · The concept of the MacGuffin has a storied place in film history, thanks to the legendary filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock. This narrative device has become a cornerstone for …