January 16, 2023
Greetings fellow Storyteller!
In this article, we’ll be exploring the different ways that stories can be structured to create a compelling and engaging narrative.
From the classic three-act structure to the five-act-structure to the hero’s journey, we’ll take a look at all the different story structures that you can use to craft a great story. So grab a pen and paper (or your laptop) and get ready to dive into the wonderful world of story structures!
Source: https://blog.reedsy.com/guide/story-structure/
The three-act-story structure is often used in plays, films, and novels, and it is characterized by a clear beginning, middle, and end.
The first act of a story is the introduction. This is where the characters and setting are introduced, and the stage is set for the events to come. For example, in the story of “The Three Little Pigs,” the first act would introduce the characters (the three little pigs) and the setting (a world where pigs are building houses).
The second act is the rising action. This is where the main conflict or problem is introduced and the characters begin to work towards resolving it. In “The Three Little Pigs,” the second act would introduce the problem (the big bad wolf trying to blow down the pigs’ houses) and show the pigs working to solve it (building houses of straw, sticks, and brick).
The third act is the resolution. This is where the conflict is resolved and the story comes to a close. In “The Three Little Pigs,” the third act would show the pigs defeating the wolf and living happily ever after in their brick house.
Source: https://blog.reedsy.com/guide/story-structure/
It is similar to the three-act structure, but with two additional acts added in between the beginning, middle, and end.
The first act of a five-act story is the introduction. This is where the characters and setting are introduced, and the stage is set for the events to come. For example, in the story of “Romeo and Juliet,” the first act would introduce the characters (Romeo and Juliet) and the setting (Verona, Italy).
The second act is the rising action. This is where the main conflict or problem is introduced and the characters begin to work towards resolving it. In “Romeo and Juliet,” the second act would introduce the problem (the feud between the Montagues and the Capulets) and show the characters working to solve it (trying to secretly marry each other).
The third act is the turning point, also known as the “inciting incident.” This is where the conflict or problem takes a significant turn and the characters are faced with a new challenge. In “Romeo and Juliet,” the third act would be the point where Romeo is banished from Verona and Juliet is forced to marry Paris.
The fourth act is the falling action. This is where the characters continue to work towards resolving the conflict or problem, but things become more difficult and uncertain. In “Romeo and Juliet,” the fourth act would show the characters struggling to find a way to be together despite the obstacles in their way.
The fifth act is the resolution. This is where the conflict is resolved and the story comes to a close. In “Romeo and Juliet,” the fifth act would show the characters finally being able to be together, but unfortunately it ends in tragedy as they both die.
Source: https://blog.reedsy.com/guide/story-structure/
The hero’s journey is a story structure that follows the journey of a hero who goes through a series of trials and challenges, eventually emerging victorious. It is often used in epic stories and mythological tales, and was popularized by the comparative mythologist Joseph Campbell in his book “The Hero with a Thousand Faces.”
The hero’s journey typically includes a number of steps, including:
The call to adventure: The hero is called to leave their ordinary life and embark on a journey.
The refusal of the call: The hero initially resists the call to adventure, often due to fear or lack of confidence.
The mentor: The hero meets a mentor or guide who helps to prepare them for their journey.
Crossing the threshold: The hero decides to accept the call to adventure and crosses the threshold into the unknown.
Tests, allies, and enemies: The hero faces a series of tests and meets allies and enemies along the way.
The approach to the inmost cave: The hero approaches the climax of their journey, often facing their greatest challenge or fear.
The ordeal: The hero faces and overcomes the ultimate challenge or crisis of their journey.
The reward: The hero achieves their goal or reward for their efforts.
The road back: The hero begins their return journey, often facing new challenges along the way.
The resurrection: The hero undergoes a significant transformation or change as a result of their journey.
Return with the elixir: The hero returns home, often with newfound knowledge or a gift to share with others.
The master of two worlds: The hero is able to integrate their journey and experiences into their everyday life.
An example of the hero’s journey can be seen in the story of “The Odyssey.” In this story, the hero Odysseus is called to leave his home and journey to the Trojan War. He faces a number of challenges along the way, including being held captive by the cyclops Polyphemus and encountering the sirens. Eventually, he returns home to his wife and son, having gained wisdom and experience from his journey.
Other stories that follow the hero’s journey structure include “The Lord of the Rings,” “The Wizard of Oz,” and “Star Wars.”
The seven basic plots structure is a way of organizing the events of a story based on seven basic plots: overcoming the monster, rags to riches, the quest, voyage and return, comedy, tragedy, and rebirth. Each of these plots follows a specific pattern and can be used to craft a compelling story.
Overcoming the monster: This plot follows the story of a hero who must defeat a monster or evil force in order to save the day. Examples include “Beowulf” and “The Hobbit.”
Rags to riches: This plot follows the story of a character who starts off poor or disadvantaged, but eventually rises to wealth and success. Examples include “Cinderella” and “Great Expectations.”
The quest: This plot follows the story of a character who sets out on a journey to achieve a specific goal or object. Examples include “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Alchemist.”
Voyage and return: This plot follows the story of a character who embarks on a journey and eventually returns home, often having gained new knowledge or perspective. Examples include “The Odyssey” and “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.”
Comedy: This plot follows the story of a character who goes through a series of humorous or absurd events, often with a happy ending. Examples include “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “The Importance of Being Earnest.”
Tragedy: This plot follows the story of a character who faces a series of setbacks and ultimately ends in tragedy. Examples include “Romeo and Juliet” and “Oedipus Rex.”
Rebirth: This plot follows the story of a character who undergoes a significant transformation or change, often resulting in a “rebirth” of their character. Examples include “The Great Gatsby” and “A Tale of Two Cities.”
Overall, these seven plots can be used to craft a variety of different stories and can help to create a clear and satisfying narrative structure.
And there you have it!
We hope you’ve enjoyed this tour through the different story structures that storytellers can use to craft a great story. Whether you prefer the classic three-act structure or the more complex hero’s journey, there are plenty of tools and techniques at your disposal to help you create a compelling and engaging narrative. So don’t be afraid to experiment with different structures and see what works best for you and your story. Happy storytelling!
Are you looking more for a story structure that works in business? Check out our article on 6 Steps To Craft A Powerful Story.
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