Overview
This presentation covers the foundational importance of story structure in writing novels and screenplays, discussing why structure is not merely formulaic but essential, and comparing three major story structures: the Three-Act Structure, the Hero’s Journey, and Save the Cat beats. Examples from well-known stories illustrate these frameworks, followed by practical advice on plotting and a 40-chapter plotting module.
The Role of Story Structure
- Story structure is critical for creating stories that resonate, succeed, and endure.
- Structure is compared to the DNA of stories: essential, but allowing for significant originality.
- Misconceptions equate structure with formula, but structure provides a recognizable framework rather than stifling creativity.
- Story structure underlies both classic and modern bestsellers, as seen in diverse films like “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer”.
- The core of story structure is character change, whether positive, negative, or affecting the world instead of the protagonist.
Types of Character Change
- Most stories involve protagonist transformation, commonly positive but sometimes negative or neutral.
- Neutral protagonists (e.g., classic James Bond, Pollyanna, Ted Lasso season 1) often cause change in the world or those around them.
- A depiction of change is central to successful storytelling.
Universality of Story Structure
- Despite the proliferation of named story models, most share common beats and progression.
- Structure applies across mediums: novels, films, music, marketing, and even educational content.
Three Major Story Structures
Three-Act Structure
- Divided into Act 1 (Setup), Act 2 (Confrontation), Act 3 (Resolution).
- Key beats include Exposition, Inciting Incident, Plot Point 1, Rising Action, Midpoint, Plot Point 2, Climax, and Denouement.
- Illustrated with “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” “The Matrix,” and “The Epic of Gilgamesh”.
The Hero’s Journey
- Introduced by Joseph Campbell and simplified by Christopher Vogler.
- Consists of Departure (Ordinary World, Call to Adventure, Refusal, Mentor, Crossing Threshold), Initiation (Tests, Allies, Enemies, Inmost Cave, Ordeal, Reward), and Return (Road Back, Resurrection, Return with Elixir).
- Example: “Star Wars: A New Hope”.
Save the Cat Beats
- Developed by Blake Snyder, further adapted by Jessica Brody.
- Features 15 beats, with unique emphasis on Opening Image and Closing Image to visually bookend character change.
- Other beats: Setup, Theme Stated, Catalyst, Debate, Break Into Two, B Story, Fun and Games, Midpoint, Bad Guys Close In, All Is Lost, Dark Night of the Soul, Break Into Three, Finale.
- Example: “Everything Everywhere All at Once”.
Practical Plotting Advice
- Begin with a concept or character, then define the protagonist’s transformation (opening and closing images).
- Identify the main conflict and fill in key story beats.
- Plot major events: inciting incident, act breaks, midpoint, climax, and resolution.
- Use a scene-based approach for more detailed structure.
The 40 Chapter Plot Module
- Provides a beginner-friendly, step-by-step framework for 40 story scenes, clarifying the purpose of each.
- Useful for outlining, ensuring all major beats and story functions are addressed.
- Adaptable for individual or experienced writers; assists in organizing or revising plots.
Recommendations / Advice
- Focus on the protagonist’s transformation as the backbone of the story.
- Use structure as a flexible guide, not a restrictive formula.
- Consider opening and closing images to concretely frame character growth.
- Utilize available plotting resources, like the 40 Chapter Plot Module, especially for planning or overcoming writer’s block.