The term “plot point” appeared in The New York Times fewer than 10 times during the century or so before 1979. Since then, it has appeared more than 200 times.

It happens that 1979 was the year Syd Field published “Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting,” a book that over the next three decades became widely regarded as the “bible” of screenwriting, the paperback enabler of Hollywood dreams.

“Screenplay” has sold millions of copies; been translated into more than a dozen languages; served as a reference for James Cameron, Judd Apatow, Tina Fey, Frank Darabont and scores of other successful screenwriters; and inspired plenty of sneers from those who insist that art is born of inspiration, not what Mr. Field, who died on Sunday at 77, argued in “Screenplay” is the crucial stuff of a good screenplay: plot points.