Story Structure Skill

Invocation Triggers

Apply this skill when:

• Planning screenplay structure

• Analyzing narrative arc

• Placing story beats

• Validating structural integrity

Three-Act Structure

Overview

ACT ONE (Setup) ≈ 25 pages (25%) ACT TWO (Confrontation) ≈ 60 pages (50%) ACT THREE (Resolution) ≈ 25 pages (25%) ≈ 110 pages total

Act One: Setup (Pages 1-25)

Goal: Establish world, character, and conflict.

Beat Page Purpose

Opening Image 1 Visual thesis, tone, world

Theme Stated 5 Theme spoken (often missed by protagonist)

Set-Up 1-10 Ordinary world, status quo

Catalyst 12 Inciting incident, life disrupted

Debate 12-25 Protagonist resists call to action

Break Into Two 25 Commitment to journey, no turning back

Act Two: Confrontation (Pages 25-85)

Goal: Escalating conflict, character tested.

Beat Page Purpose

B Story 30 Subplot begins (often carries theme)

Fun and Games 30-55 Promise of the premise delivered

Midpoint 55 False victory or false defeat, stakes raise

Bad Guys Close In 55-75 Obstacles intensify

All Is Lost 75 Lowest point, seems hopeless

Dark Night of the Soul 75-85 Reflection before final push

Act Three: Resolution (Pages 85-110)

Goal: Climax and resolution.

Beat Page Purpose

Break Into Three 85 Solution found, synthesis of lessons

Finale 85-110 Final confrontation, stakes resolved

Final Image 110 Transformation visualized

Save the Cat! Beat Sheet

Blake Snyder's 15-beat structure:

1. Opening Image (1)
2. Theme Stated (5)
3. Set-Up (1-10)
4. Catalyst (12)
5. Debate (12-25)
6. Break Into Two (25)
7. B Story (30)
8. Fun and Games (30-55)
9. Midpoint (55)
10. Bad Guys Close In (55-75)
11. All Is Lost (75)
12. Dark Night of the Soul (75-85)
13. Break Into Three (85)
14. Finale (85-110)
15. Final Image (110)

The Hero's Journey (12 Stages)

Christopher Vogler's adaptation of Joseph Campbell:

Act One: Departure

• Ordinary World - Hero's normal life

• Call to Adventure - Problem or challenge appears

• Refusal of the Call - Hero hesitates

• Meeting the Mentor - Guidance received

• Crossing the Threshold - Hero commits to journey

Act Two: Initiation

• Tests, Allies, Enemies - Hero is tested

• Approach to Inmost Cave - Preparation for ordeal

• Ordeal - Major crisis, death/rebirth

• Reward - Hero gains something

Act Three: Return

• The Road Back - Return journey begins

• Resurrection - Final test, transformation complete

• Return with Elixir - Hero returns changed

Sequence Method (8 Sequences)

Structure

ACT ONE Sequence 1: Status Quo & Catalyst Sequence 2: Debate & Break Into Two

ACT TWO (First Half) Sequence 3: Fun and Games A Sequence 4: Fun and Games B → Midpoint

ACT TWO (Second Half) Sequence 5: Consequences Sequence 6: All Is Lost → Dark Night

ACT THREE Sequence 7: Break Into Three → Finale A Sequence 8: Finale B → Resolution

Sequence Length

• Each sequence: ~12-15 pages

• Each sequence has its own mini-arc

• Sequences end on a turn or revelation

Genre Considerations

Action

• Midpoint is often big action set piece

• Faster pacing through Act Two

• Extended finale sequence

Comedy

• Fun and Games section is critical

• Midpoint often a comic disaster

• Third act reconciliation

Drama

• More time in Dark Night of the Soul

• Subtler beat placement

• Character-driven turns

Horror

• Midpoint: Monster fully revealed

• All Is Lost: Final girl alone

• Finale: Confrontation and survival

Thriller

• Midpoint: Major revelation

• Bad Guys Close In is literal

• Ticking clock in Act Three

Structural Analysis Template

Structure Analysis: [TITLE]

Act Breakdown

Beat Placement

Assessment

[Analysis of structural strengths and issues]

Recommendations

1. [Specific adjustment]
2. [Specific adjustment]

Common Structural Issues

Act One Too Long

• Cut setup scenes

• Enter scenes later

• Combine expository scenes

Saggy Middle

• Strengthen midpoint

• Add reversals

• Increase obstacles

Rushed Third Act

• Earn the climax

• Don't skip Dark Night

• Resolution needs breath

WTFB Three-Act Template

Per "Words To Film By" methodology, use this simplified template for story planning:

Act One Template

Work out your story using these essential components:

OPENING EVENT: ___________________________________ (What first happens that grabs attention?)

BASIC SITUATION: ___________________________________ (What is the protagonist's normal world?)

DISTURBANCE: ___________________________________ (What disrupts the normal world?)

DECISION: ___________________________________ (What choice must the protagonist make?)

DRAMATIC QUESTION: ___________________________________ (The question that will be answered by the climax)

Act Two Template

CONFLICTS: ___________________________________ (What opposes the protagonist?)

CRISES: ___________________________________ (What moments of critical decision arise?)

OBSTACLES: ___________________________________ (What stands in the way?)

COMPLICATIONS: ___________________________________ (What makes things worse?)

DARK MOMENT: ___________________________________ (The lowest point before the turn)

Act Three Template

ENLIGHTENMENT: ___________________________________ (What does the protagonist finally understand?)

CLIMAX: ___________________________________ (The final confrontation or decision)

CATHARSIS: ___________________________________ (The emotional release and resolution)

WTFB Hero's Journey Template

Alternative structure using the 12-step Hero's Journey:

1. THE ORDINARY WORLD: ___________________________________ (Hero's normal life before the adventure)

2. THE CALL TO ADVENTURE: ___________________________________ (The problem or challenge that appears)

3. THE RELUCTANT HERO: ___________________________________ (Hero hesitates or refuses the call)

4. THE WISE OLD MAN: ___________________________________ (Mentor who provides guidance)

5. INTO THE SPECIAL WORLD: ___________________________________ (Crossing the threshold into adventure)

6. TEST, ALLIES AND ENEMIES: ___________________________________ (Hero is tested, meets friends and foes)

7. THE INMOST CAVE: ___________________________________ (Approach to the most dangerous place)

8. THE SUPREME ORDEAL: ___________________________________ (Major crisis, facing greatest fear)

9. SEIZING THE SWORD: ___________________________________ (Hero gains the reward/knowledge)

10. THE ROAD BACK: ___________________________________ (Return journey begins, often with pursuit)

11. RESURRECTION: ___________________________________ (Final test, transformation complete)

12. RETURN WITH THE ELIXIR: ___________________________________ (Hero returns changed, bearing wisdom)

Narrative Types

Per WTFB, identify your story's narrative approach:

Type Description Example

Linear Beginning to end chronologically Most traditional films

Non-Linear Not chronological Memento, Pulp Fiction

Multi-Narrative Multiple points of view Crash, Traffic

Dual Two perspectives or time periods The Godfather Part II

Fragmented Non-linear sequence 21 Grams

Metafictive Breaking fourth wall Deadpool, Ferris Bueller

Personal Autobiography, biopic The Pursuit of Happyness

Aristotle's Six Components

The foundational elements of drama (per Aristotle):

• Plot: The arrangement of events or incidents

• Characters: Provide motivation, plot, and conflict

• Language: Dialogue (both dramatic and narrative)

• Themes: Thought and ideas behind the story

• Rhythm: Music/mood (the emotional pacing)

• Spectacle: The set, costumes, and special effects

The Greeks' Essential Truth: A show or scene must have a beginning, middle, and end.

• Beginning: Protagonist lives a good life but has a great character flaw

• End of Beginning: Reversal of fortune brought on by the flaw

• Middle: Protagonist fights change but recognizes error, changes from ignorance to knowledge (too late)

• End: Catastrophe brings suffering, resulting in soul cleansing (catharsis)

Validation Checklist

• Three acts properly proportioned

• Catalyst by page 12

• Clear Break Into Two

• Strong Midpoint

• All Is Lost moment exists

• Theme stated and proven

• Character arc complete

• Opening/Final images mirror or contrast

• Narrative type identified

• WTFB template completed

• Aristotle's six components addressed