1. Story structure and Narrative Arc
Dr Gitsham Creative Writing Elective
Lesson Two:
Story structure and Narrative Arc
@dcijoneswriter
© Paul Gitsham 2013 – Free for non-commercial use

2. What all stories need A beginning A middle An end
The order that these are presented in is determined by the story-teller
A middle
An end

3. Beginning
This is a simple chronological telling of events in the order that they happened
Middle
End

4. Middle
You can also start in the middle, then go back to the beginning before progressing to the end.
This is popular in crime and thrillers in particular, because it puts the reader straight into the heart of the action from the first page
Beginning
End

5. End End Beginning Middle Beginning Middle
Another approach is to start at the end then work back.
In this example the reader is presented with a situation and then goes back in time to see what lead to those events
End
End
Beginning
Middle
Middle
Beginning

6. Stories told entirely out of sequence
Examples:
Pulp Fiction (1994)
Multiple stories weave in and out of one another, crossing each others’ paths before combining into one complete story.
Memento (2000) starts at the end then works its way backward.
There are two threads composed of multiple scenes.
The two threads alternate.
One thread in black and white is told chronologically.
The second thread, shot in colour proceeds in reverse order.
Eventually the two threads meet at the end of the film and the viewer is presented with the entire narrative

7. The Narrative Arc
Regardless of the structure, all stories need to follow a narrative arc.
You may move the parts of the arc around in the same way that you can move the beginning, middle and end, but the arc must exist.
Over the course of the story characters and the reader must progress. They should be different in some way at the end compared to when they started.
This difference can be small or large, profound or trivial, physical or emotional

8. A very simple Narrative Arc
Climax
Complications
Dramatic Tension
Resolution
Inciting Incident
Time

9. Complications
As the story unfolds, obstacles appear, or the unexpected occurs, impeding the protagonist’s progression.
Climax
The greatest point of dramatic tension as the protagonist reaches (or misses) their goal. Everything has been leading up to this moment
Inciting Incident
The event that starts the story and the character on their journey
Resolution
The aftermath. Sometimes a period for reflection, the tying up of loose ends. The central character should now be different to when they started.

10. Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope
Complications
Luke Skywalker, Han Solo et al rescue Princess Leia from the Death Star and are nearly killed in the process
Climax
The Rebel Alliance attack and destroy the Death Star
Inciting Incident
Darth Vader attacks and captures a rebel vessel, capturing Princess Leia;
R2D2 and C3P0 escape to Tattoine
Resolution
Luke, Solo, Chewbacca and the Droids are awarded medals

11. Activity: One – Applying the Narrative Arc
Take a well-known story – book, film or play
Identify the four parts of the narrative arc
Inciting Incident
Complications
Climax
Resolution

12. There is typically more than one Narrative Arc in any story
Each sub-plot should have its own narrative arc
The protagonist should have an arc
Secondary characters should have an arc
In a well-written story you can usually uncover a narrative arc in each chapter
There may be an over-arching narrative arc in a series of novels
eg Harry Potter

13. Luke SkyWalker’s Story
Complications
Luke’s family are killed; he meets Obi Wan and trains to become a Jedi, joining the Rebel Alliance
Climax
The Rebel Alliance attack and destroy the Death Star
Inciting Incident
Luke buys two droids. One of them has a secret recording asking for help from an ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’
Resolution
Luke, Solo, Chewbacca and the Droids are awarded medals

14. Activity: Two – Applying the Narrative Arc
Take a well-known character
Identify the four parts of their narrative arc
Inciting Incident
Complications
Climax
Resolution

15. Activity Three: Writing Exercise
There are two containers with pieces of folded paper in them
One contains a character
One contains an object
Take out a piece of paper at random (no peeking!) from each container and write a short story linking the two objects!