Title

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·     No real rules, except don’t make it too long. Many titles are just one word.

Prologue

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·     Four types (background, different point of view, past protagonist, or future protagonist)

·     Prologue test

Beginning

Initial Setup

·     Exposition

·     Hook

·     Main characters

·     Setting

Big Event

·     The situation that launches the story (protagonist is thrust into the action)

·     Involves conflict

·     Establishes the story goal

·     Establishes the story’s direction

Middle

Complications

(plot points, reversals)

·     Protagonist tries to achieve his goal

·     Obstacles are introduced

·     Disasters occur 

Crisis
(Pinch)

·     A showdown becomes inevitable.

·     Protagonist comes to realize that he must take a stand. There are only two choices.

·     He agonizes over which of the two courses of action to take.

·     He makes his decision.       

·     Epiphany (revelation)

·     He sets out to do final battle (the climax).

End

Climax
(Showdown)

·     The final and biggest “battle”

·     Highest point of tension

·     Decides overall winner and loser

·     Protagonist demonstrates internal change

Resolution
(Denouement)

·     Climax is over and story goal is answered

·     Winners and losers are known

·     Loose ends are wrapped up

·     Characters have gained new insights that reflect  their growth

·     Theme is reinforced

·     Symbolic event 

Epilogue
(Afterword)

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·     Seldom used

·     Often deals with futures of characters

·     Differs significantly from the main story in time or place or narrative style