Story 4/20

Let's spend some time today collaborating on a paragraph that describes the whole of our story. We'll aim for a three-act structure:

Act 1 establishes the characters, the background for the conflict and the conflict itself. In so doing, this act establishes the type of story (tragedy, comedy, romance). Typically, this act includes a hook (an exciting opening bit) and what is sometimes called an "inciting incident": the event that pitches the protagonist's life out of balance and sets the conflict in motion.


Act 2 develops the characters by deepening the conflict and bringing it to the edge of crisis. This act is longer than Acts 1 and 2. Often, in the middle of Act 2, you'll find your character at her lowest point. She's ready to quit or die. Something happens to push her forward.


Act 3 concludes the story by narrating the crisis. Jane must confront her inner demons as well as the villain in the plot.

The ending, the denouement, provides a sense of resolution with a parting image or description.

Generally, Act 2 is twice as long as Acts 1 and 2. Thus, if we're thinking in terms of a paragraph: Act 1 = 2 sentences; Act 2 = 4 sentences; Act 3 = 2 sentences.





Here's a concise description of the Three Act Structure: