StructureAnd the Narrative Arc

Stories have a beginning, middle and end.

Beginning: Hook, Exposition

Middle: Rising Action, Climax

End: Resolution

Narrative Mode

First Person: the point of view where the story is narrated by one character at a time. This character may be speaking about herself or sharing events that she is experiencing, often using the pronoun “I”.

Narrative Mode

Second Person is a narrative mode in which the protagonist or another main character is referred to by second-person personal pronouns and other kinds of addressing forms, for example the second person pronoun "you".

Narrative Mode

Third Person (omniscient) is when the narrator knows all the thoughts and feelings of all the characters in the story, referring to other characters has “he” or “she”.

The HookNarrative hook: Opening a story in an attention-grabbing way that "hooks" readers' attention so they will keep reading.In medias res: Beginning the story in the middle of an exciting event. Example: I closed my eyes, but couldn’t shut out the sound of squealing tires. When I awoke, I smelled smoke.

***Grandma’s head poked in through the doorway, “Darling, would you mind running to the drugstore just up the road? I’ve run out of Diet Coke.” “But, but, ahhh, fine,” I snarled, and tossed the Xbox controller onto the couch.

ExpositionExposition serves to expose readers to information that will later be necessary for the story, such as characters, setting, tone, backstory, and foreshadowing of potential conflict.

Rising ActionRising action is the transition into conflict, when complications arise.

Traditionally, conflict occurs as one of the following:

character vs. character

character vs. self

character vs. environment

ClimaxThe climax of a story is when conflict reaches its highest, most intense point. Typically, tension peaks just before the resolution occurs.

Example: “Jack felt the car spin. His eyes closed. He listened. Then, the chaotic sound of metal hood impacting a tree trunk. He smelled smoke. His eyes opened, flickered, and focused, only to find the small door handle just out of reach.”

ResolutionResolution is when the tension falls, often as the story draws to a close. The conflict has run its course, and action/tension is lessening.

Types of resolutions

Comic Resolution: The conflict is resolved favorably for the protagonist, leaving her better off.

Tragic Resolution: The conflict has overcome the protagonist, leaving her worse off.

Linear Resolution: After conflict resulting in rising action and climax, the protagonist is left largely unchanged by the events of the story.

Cliffhanger: The story ends unsolved, possibly to draw the audience back to the next episode.