The TOP 10 Story Structures Used By Successful Writers
You have a great idea for a story, but need help building it into a cohesive narrative. You have an awesome character in mind but want inspiration for their journey… Oh, You have a shocking twist that will slide audiences out of their socks, but lack the steps to get to it…
Yes, these are all daunting issues that every writer faces early on in their story development. But one of the best ways to punch out of plotline purgatory is to turn to the recipes that have been used by countless successful writers for decades: It’s time we embrace story structure.
There are a number of reason why so many writers have turned to story structure models while outlining their narratives. It makes your protagonist’s arc more coherent, it marries the plot and the character journey in a satisfying way, and it pushes writers to justify the purpose of each scene which leads to a stronger, more enjoyable experience for the audience.
Story structure shapes narratives into having a clear beginning, middle, and end; as well as carries audiences through a plot that introduces settings, events, characters, conflicts and themes.
Now there are some writer’s who may fear that story structure will take the edge off of their unique, original idea. But you shouldn’t really worry too much about that. There are some incredible twists, turns and trapdoors that can still be achieved while also playing within the boundaries of popular narrative models.
This is what audiences expect and what producers are looking for. So even if you don’t want to embrace it, you damn sure you understand it.
And, as you will see across these 10 story structure models, most stories follow the same pattern anyway. So let’s dive right in!
What All Narrative Structures Have in Common
If you put your favorite stories under a magnifying glass, you’re going to quickly see a consistent pattern form:
Status Quo:
It starts with a character living in their ‘ordinary world’. They may not be happy, per se. But this is life as they know it.
Inciting Incident:
Something happens. A sudden moment has pushed the character onto a journey that will kick off the rest of the story.
Rising Action:
The character encounters challenges and obstacles as they charge toward their objective.
All is Lost:
In order for the character to truly succeed, they first must lose. And lose big! The deeper the fall, the more rewarding the return.
The Final Test:
Taking all that they have learned and experienced along the way, it’s time to put it to the test, with the biggest challenge to date.
Resolution:
You can’t have a joke without a punchline. And a story's punchline is the resolution: Did the character attain their goal? Did they fail? Or did their quest lead them to achieve a new goal or mindset?
These story pieces exist in narratives across all genres and formats, whether it’s the ultimate fight for freedom in a galaxy far, far away or a forbidden bond between two lovers in 13th-century Italy.
When you package these ingredients up with your unique voice, perspective, and tone, you will have a great chance of engaging your audience from beginning to end.
Ten Story Structure Models That Continuously Captivate Readers
But while there are common traits across most stories, there are also variations in how writers get there.
Here are the ten most prolific story structures that have been used to build the most iconic and popular stories ever told:
Joseph Campbell’s The Hero’s Journey
Christopher Vogler's The Writer’s Journey
Dan Harmon’s StoryCircle
The Three-Act Structure
7-Point Story Structure
Dean Koontz’s Classic Story Structure
Save the Cat
In Medias Res
Poetics
Snowflake Method
1. Joseph Campbell’s The Hero’s Journey
First, we start with the granddaddy of them all! The Hero’s Journey is a pioneer of story theory. From Star Wars to Harry Potter, some of the most successful writers have used this model as a 17-step guide to cracking the magic code for their narratives.
These 17 steps can be broken into three distinct areas: Departure, Initiation, and the Return.
The Call to Adventure - An event happens that pulls our ordinary hero from their comfort zone and into adventure - Frodo, from the Shire, is given a mysterious ring.
Refusal of the Call - The protagonist turns down the call to action.
Supernatural Aid - The hero eventually embarks on their quest, receiving aid in the form of allies, information, or tools.
The Crossing of the First Threshold - The familiar is left behind, and the unknown lies ahead - Luke Skywalker leaves home to help the Rebel Alliance.
Belly of the Whale - Obstacles block our hero’s path, forcing tough decisions and choices along their journey.
The Road of Trials - The protagonist must face three tests. And they will not succeed at them all.
The Meeting with the Goddess - The hero meets a figure who will guide them further - Frodo encounters the high elf Galadriel.
Woman as the Temptress - Another obstacle emerges. This time it is temptation! Should the protagonist take the easy way out?
Atonement with the Father - Something inside our hero prevents their success. They must overcome this before they can continue.
Apotheosis - As the old skin is shed, a new one emerges. The protagonist is now ready for their biggest challenge.
The Ultimate Boon - With lessons learned, the protagonist reaches their toughest test yet - Can Luke and the Rebels destroy the formidable Death Star?
Refusal of the Return - The protagonist is not the same person they were from the beginning. They have been transformed.
The Magic Flight - Our hero takes the journey home, changed forever by their experience.
Rescue from Without - But the protagonist still needs assistance in their final escape.
The Crossing of the Return Threshold - The hero comes back home - With the ring destroyed, Frodo returns to the Shire.
Master of the Two Worlds - Through their trials, the protagonist now exists in the old world, but transformed - Once a timid farmboy, Luke is now a Jedi, with purpose and power.
Freedom to Live - Through death and rebirth, there is a new status quo.
When Should You Use The Hero’s Journey?
This is a real trailblazer for the story structure models yet to come. With labels such as ‘the belly of the whale’ and ‘meeting the goddess,’ see if your tale can hang with the epic stories of the past.
But if this feels too grandiose for your idea, then perhaps the next variation is more your cup of tea.
2. Christopher Vogler's The Writer’s Journey
In 1992, screenwriter and Hollywood Development Executive, Christopher Vogler converted the Hero’s Journey from a theory into a guide. And for the past few decades, writers have adopted this as their new go-to story structure, embracing its clean layout and logical steps.
The Core Story Structure Ingredients:
The Ordinary World: The protagonist in their everyday life - Moana, lives on an island and is told to stay away from the water.
The Call to Adventure: The initiating event of the story - Moana is chosen by the ocean to set sail across the sea to save the world.
Refusal of the Call: Hesitancy strikes. Our hero might not answer the call
Meeting with the Mentor: The hero receives guidance before their journey begins - Or if your name is Scrooge, you may meet a ghost
Crossing the First Threshold: The protagonist commits to their quest, leaving their ‘old world’ behind - Neo takes the Red Pill in The Matrix
Tests, Allies, and Enemies: Our hero enters the unknown, facing trials and antagonists as well as gaining new allies - As Save the Cat would call it: Fun & Games
Approach to the Innermost Cave: The goal is in sight for our hero
The Ordeal: But the toughest challenge has blocked the hero’s path - Can Simba defeat Scar to take back his throne?
Reward: The protagonist has retrieved the item they were seeking or gained the wisdom they were lacking - Harry Potter secures the Philosopher’s Stone
The Road Back: Homeward bound. The hero travels back to their original world. But one last test still lies ahead
The Resurrection: The protagonist needs to pass one last test. And it could take all that they have learned to pass it.
Return with the Elixir: The protagonist returns home, transformed and with something new - This can be an intimate moment too. Like, Elizabeth marrying Darcy in Pride & Prejudice.
When Should You Use The Writer’s Journey?
The new king of story structure. Since many successful writers have used this updated model to build their stories, why don’t we walk your hero along this trail and see if you like the destination?
3. Dan Harmon’s StoryCircle
There is one more version of Campbell’s famed Monomyth. This one comes from Rick & Morty creator, Dan Harmon. While looking for a quicker way to produce his stories, Harmon developed a new 8-step model that has become a staple for a new generation of storytellers across the world.
The Core Story Structure Ingredients:
You - Establish the protagonist. We see the character in their comfort zone.
Need - But something isn’t right. They need something.
Go! - So they cross the threshold, in order to find it - They enter an unfamiliar environment or situation.
Search - They go on a road of trials and begin to adapt and adjust to their new world.
Find - Until they finally get what they want.
Take - However, they have paid a price for this goal.
Return - And then they bring it home to their old familiar world.
Change - Now a master of both worlds, having been changed by the journey they took.
When Should you use Harmon’s Storycircle?
Like a crib sheet for story structure, you can use the Storycircle as a super quick guide for your narrative. If your character has strayed from their goal, run them through this model and put them back on the right path.
4. The Three-Act Structure
Building on the 3 stages of the Hero’s Journey, the three-act structure strips away the lore and myth and puts your focus on framing the beginning, middle, and end.
Over the years, this model has basically become a mandatory part of screenwriting. Still, authors and writers from all other formats will learn a ton of valuable lessons from the three-act structure.
The Core Story Structure Ingredients
Act 1: The Set-up
Introductions:, The Protagonist, Their World, Their Goals.
The Inciting Incident - The specific moment that launches the protagonist on their journey.
The First Plot Point - The first obstacle emerges for the protagonist. The story now kicks into gear.
Act 2: The Confrontation
Ascending action.
Escalating Conflict - The protagonist is thrust into new situations that they must overcome. Antagonizing forces threaten their mission while new alliances are formed
The Midpoint - A specific incident jeopardizes the protagonist’s goal.
The Second Plot Point - The protagonist is challenged and fails. There is a crisis of faith. Can they come back from this defeat?
Act 3: The Resolution
Descending action.
After the Crisis - Will the protagonist overcome the seemingly impossible?
The Final Climax - The ultimate test. The largest obstacle. Will the protagonist succeed at last?
The Outcome - All story threads come together for the conclusion. The results of the climax are revealed, and the protagonist sees the world in a different light.
When Should You Use The Three-Act Structure?
A favorite for writers and audiences alike! If you are looking to build a punchy, familiar narrative with a clean, concise beginning, middle, and end, then this story model should work for you. Great for genre work.
5. The Seven-Point Story Structure
Developed by author, Dan Wells, The Seven-Point Story Structure suggests that writers should start with the ending and build backward, putting a focus on the outcome rather than the beginning.
The Core Story Structure Ingredients
Hook - The hero’s starting point. It should be the polar opposite of the resolution.
Plot Turn 1 - The incident that launches the story
Pinch point 1 - Conflict bubbles as the hero faces even more challenges and obstacles
Midpoint - The hero reacts, battling against the antagonist or the opposing forces.
Pinch point 2 - Setbacks and pitfalls. The hero faces their toughest challenge yet. And they may not make it out unless they can adapt and learn.
Plot point 2 - At their final moments, when everything is at stake, the hero digs deep, taking what they have learned to find a final resolution to their journey.
Resolution - The hero's quest has finished. And they are now in stark contrast with who they were at the Hook. The transformation is complete (Remember, this is your starting point for story development!)
When Should You Use The Seven-Point Story Structure?
It’s actually quite a clever idea to begin with the ending, as all of your story decisions lead to this final moment.
Does Rocky beat Apollo Creed? Can Paul Sheldon escape his number-one fan in Misery? If you know the end result, then why not make this the starting point for writing your story?
6. Dean Koontz Classic Story Structure Outline
A Panster’s Paradise. From iconic suspense author Dean Koontz, here is a rough outline of what each story should contain without overloading you with a prescribed formula.
1. Introduce your protagonist and immediately plunge them into trouble
Don’t bore us, get to the chorus. Koontz’s principle here is simple. Keep your reader’s attention span in mind as you write. And don’t kill your story with too much setup.
2. Your Protagonist should try to solve their problem, only to slide deeper into trouble
Tension builds, and action rises as your protagonist faces more difficulties as they pursue their objective.
3. The situation appears hopeless
The protagonist must be brought to the very brink. Seemingly all roads lead to failure, and hope is nearly lost. Only then does an answer emerge.
4. The protagonist faces off against the antagonist for one final time. They succeed, or they fail.
Your hero uses their experience against the antagonizing forces to either win, lose, or end up somewhere in the middle. Either way, this is the end of the character’s story.
When Should You Use The Dean Koontz Classic Story Structure?
If you want less structure in your story, then The Dean has you covered. Keep your story on track without mapping too much navigation along the way.
7. Save the Cat
If Dean Koontz's story model was for the Pantsers, then Blake Snyder’s Save the Cat is definitely for the Plotters. Providing detailed story points based on specific pages of a 110-page screenplay, Many writers have turned to Save the Cat when they wanted to follow very strict guidelines for their stories.
The Core Story Structure Ingredients:
Opening Image (1) - The first moment of your story. This sets the tone for the rest of the narrative. It should also act as a rhyme to the Final Image,
Set-up (1-10) - Setting the status quo of the world and the protagonist. Their wants, needs, and desires.
Theme Stated (5) - Stories usually have themes. And this is the time in your story when you should indicate what the story is truly about.
Catalyst (12) - Or the inciting incident, in three-act structure terminology.
Debate (12-25) - The protagonist hesitates. In a moment of weakness, they refuse the call to action.
Break into Two (25) - The protagonist finally makes a choice. Their story begins.
B Story (30) - The introduction of a second story arc, which underscores the main narrative, while reflecting on the theme as well.
Fun and games (30-55) - This is where the magic happens. The new world is explored. Character connections are developed, and powers are tested.
Midpoint (55) - The fun and games must come to an end with a plot twist. The journey changes. The stakes are raised, and real consequences emerge.
Bad Guys Close In (55-75) - The conflict and challenges heighten as the protagonist falters and begins to fail.
All is Lost (75) - Rock bottom for our hero.
Dark Night of the Soul (75-85) - Hope is a candle flickering its last light. Is this the end?
Break into Three (85) - The hero receives something just in the nick of time. Maybe there is hope.
Finale (85-110) - The final faceoff: Protagonist vs Antagonist. Using their newly gained knowledge, the protagonist takes one last shot at success.
Final Image (110) - Bringing it all back. This end moment shows how the hero has changed and works as a mirrored reflection of the opening image, bringing everything together in a full circle.
When Should You Use Save the Cat?
A great starting point for newbie writers or authors who want quick results in the early stages of their idea. If you are looking for a strict narrative mentorship, then Save the Cat may just save your story.
8. In Medias Res
Hook them for the start. That’s the idea behind In Medias Res. If the Seven-Point Story Structure wants you to think of the ending first, In Medias Res wants you to grab your reader from page one with a dynamic opening.
Setup and backstory have no place at this start. For this model, these establishing points need to be figured out later once the audience has been pulled in.
The Core Story Structure Ingredients:
Rising Action - Open in the middle. Something compelling, shocking even that will grip the reader to continue
Explanation (backstory) - But now it is time to plan out how you will get the audience up to speed with the characters, setting, and plot
Make the opening critical - Weave the opening into your plot so that it becomes a vital story element that will be instrumental in the resolution
Build upon the curiosity of the opening scene - The opening should be both gripping and curious. Raise questions that the reader will want answered through the story
When Should You Use In Medias Res?
Do you want your audience to leap from their seat from the get-go? If so, pack a wallop from the top and give them something truly impactful. But just be sure to keep an eye out for exposition hazards later in your story, as you have to make up for lost context later.
9. Poetics
Where it all began! For this story structure, we are reaching all the way back to the fine year of 335 B.C. when Aristotle developed what could possibly be the first story theory.
While this is an early story concept, you will find that many of these elements are still used in modern storytelling today. But let’s see how ‘Stotle did it.
The Core Story Structure Ingredients:
Mythos (or plot) - Your plot should follow a probable sequence of events, and the protagonist should go from happiness to misery.
Character - The hero must be looked upon favorably. But their misery should come from an error on their own part.
Thought - This is the theme of the drama. Why are you telling this story? This is where the central thought should lie.
Diction - What is the language in how the story is presented? Aristotle says that a balance must be struck between poetic and prosaic speech - meaning, it should be artistic but not confusing.
Melody - This refers to the music of the drama. How it flows and plays out.
Spectacle - What does the story look like? The settings, the costumes, and the world that has been created. The more engrossing the spectacle, the more engaged the reader will be.
When Should You Use Poetics?
Back to basics. It doesn’t hurt to dig into the roots of storytelling to check some fundamental boxes on the whys and hows of your narrative. Does your storyline contain these ingredients?
10. The Snowflake Method
The Snowflake Method puts the core of your story in focus and then builds out from that center. You may start out with a snowflake. But soon, you will end up with an avalanche - the first draft of your story.
The Core Story Structure Ingredients:
The Sentence - Sum up your novel in a sentence
The Paragraph - Then, make it a paragraph. Bring in your characters, setting, main conflicts, and resolution.
The One-Page Summary - Now, flesh this out into one full page, detailing the story from the perspective of your main characters.
The 4-Pager - Evolve your story further, developing each character, their motivation, and the central plot points into a four-page document.
The Character Chart - Next, it’s time to create Character Sheets based on your core main cast, with full descriptions, personality details, backstory, and motivations.
The Scene Breakdown - Using your 4-Pager as a guide, break down the entire story into individual scenes
The Scene Descriptions - Take these scenes and develop them further, expanding each one into 3-4 paragraph descriptions
The First Draft - The last layer of your snowflake: it’s time to write your first draft ❄️
When Should You Use The Snowflake Method?
A great way of taking the smallest nugget of your idea and snowballing it into something larger. From first flake to first draft, try this out if you are in the mood for experimenting with a different approach to story building.
And there you have it! The 10 most prolific story structure models that successful writers embrace. What do you think? Is there one here that you have used before? One that you absolutely love? If so, let’s hear it! Drop your favorite model in the comments, and let’s see which one is the most popular!
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