006. Developing the 3 Act Structure

Developing the 3 Act Structure

Vocabulary: Hook, Exposition, Inciting Event, First Plot Point, First Pinch Point, Second Pinch Point, Third Pinch Point, Climax 

Act 1 (25%) - Establishing the characters & environments in exposition through a hook (question), inciting event (brief encounter with the conflict), and first plot point (dramatic change in a point of no return)

Act 2 (50%) - Exploring the rising action through first pinch point (character’s turning points to show what’s at steak), midpoint (characters understanding their circumstances and becoming proactive in their actions), and second pinch point (steaks and risks are higher for characters if they continue their course of action)

Act 3 (25%) -  Exploring the climax through the third pinch point (low moment in a false victory to show the psychological effect on the protagonist) and the climax (final confrontation that fulfills a character’s arc towards a resolution).

Vocabulary: Hook, Exposition, Inciting Event, First Plot Point, First Pinch Point, Second Pinch Point, Third Pinch Point, Climax 

Discussion Questions: Which act establishes the characters and environments? Which act presents the climax? Which act shows a character’s turning point?

Top 3 Walkaways: Act 1 is establishes the characters and their environments as they react to introduced conflict, Act 2 explores the characters turning point as they are “active” in their high steak circumstances and rising risk, Act 3 concludes with the climax as the characters engage in their final confrontation with their circumstances which leads towards a resolution.

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