The first perspective we'll look at is the Overall Story Throughline, so called because it is the broadest, most dispassionate, objective look at the Story Mind. This is the third person, "They" perspective.

Imagine the argument of a story as a battle between two armies. The Overall Story view is like that of a general on a hill overlooking the battle. The general focuses on unfolding strategies and, from this perspective, sees soldiers not by name but by their role on the field: foot soldier, grenadier, cavalry officer, scout. Though the general may care for the soldiers, he must concentrate on the events as they unfold. Because it highlights events, the Overall Story Throughline is often thought of as plot, but as we shall see later, plot is so much more.

Other names for this throughline include the Objective Story Throughline, the "head" line, the "Big Picture," and others.