What is unfolding plot?

The phrase 'the unravelling of a plot' is used to describe how a writer builds up a story. It is commonly used when describing how the structure of the writing or the vocabulary used reveal the plot of the writing (commonly a novel or a biography). The plot of some writing is the story behind it - an example of this is 'the Lord of the Rings', in which a fellowship of people go on a quest to destroy the 'One Ring'. That is the plot of the story. The plot can be unravelled using a series of subplots. In The Lord of the Rings, subplots include the heroes travelling through dangerous lands, fighting wars and falling in love.