The three-act structure explained as simply as possible is a means for dividing a story into three separate parts. Those parts being, Act One “the Setup”, Act Two “the Confrontation”, and Act Three “the Resolution”. The Setup includes the inciting incident, which is the event that kicks off the story. The Confrontation is where the “story” happens – it is where the protagonist and the antagonist have their back and forth. The Confrontation also includes the midpoint of the story. This is usually when a dramatic shift occurs in the story or a major confrontation is had. The Resolution is where the story climaxes and concludes – the antagonist or the protagonist has been defeated or the problem has been solved.
Example: Jim is asked by the townspeople to slay a dragon. He leaves to slay the dragon. He fights it, loses, and realizes he must get stronger to defeat it. Jim trains his mind and body which makes him super strong. He confronts the dragon again and slays it.
The ask to slay the dragon is the inciting incident. The first time Jim fights the dragon and loses is the midpoint (dramatic shift) of the story. It is the dramatic shift because his loss makes him realize he must get stronger. Training, then defeating the dragon is the Climax of the story. It is how his quest is resolved.
For a better understanding, let us dive into each act with a little more detail.
Act One:
Act one normally establishes your primary characters and the world in which they live. This is where the reader sees what is “normal” for the characters in the story. Sometimes, you might see the beginning of a story referred to as “a day in the life”. It is important that as a writer you let your audience know what the status quo is. This way after the events of the story occur, the reader knows what has changed. If there is no “day in the life” at the beginning of the story, convincing your readers that a story has happened is a lot more difficult.
Example 1: The status quo is that a town is plagued by dragon. After the story, the dragon has been killed. This shows change.
Example 2: No status quo is established. The dragon is killed. The resolution is the same, but the impact is not felt. You as the reader do not know why the dragon is killed. This shows no change.
Act one also includes the inciting incident. This is the event that kickstarts the whole story and provides your protagonist with a question. (Will Jim slay the dragon?)
Act Two:
Act two is where the protagonist of the story grows. Strong stories normally include a story arc for their main and sometimes supporting characters and act two is where this arc happens. The protagonist attempts to resolve the problem of the story but is unable to because they have not acquired the adequate skills to do so. Additionally, act two is where the situation intensifies, often referred to as “rising action”.
Example: Jim attempts to slay the dragon but is defeated. He must find inner strength to defeat the dragon and trains his mind and body. While he is preparing for a second bout with the dragon, the dragon razes part of the town he is trying to protect.
Jim is being forced to grow, but the action is intensifying because the threat of the dragon has increased. This is the kind of action that happens in Act Two.
Act Three:
Act three includes the resolution of the story. The protagonist has mostly completed their story arc and has acquired the skills necessary to stop the antagonist. The main tension of the story has intensified to its highest point and the protagonist, having acquired new skills or a new sense of self or both, confronts the antagonist again and is either successful or unsuccessful.
Example: Jim realizes that through training he can do anything and prepares to battle the dragon as the dragon attempts to raze the remaining part of the town. He defeats the dragon and saves the townspeople.
Jim’s realization that he is capable of anything is the completion of his story arc and the dragon attempting to raze the remaining part of the town is the story reaching its most intense moment yet. Until this point, not everyone’s life was a stake but now it is. Jim defeating the dragon is the resolution.
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Now that you have a very simple understanding of the three-act structure, go out and attempt to write a short story based on this new knowledge. Send me a copy of your story because I’d love to see what you come up with. Also remember that just because the three-act structure is the norm, do not think that you must be controlled by it. Many stories stray from the three-act structure and are still fantastic. The three-act structure simply provides you with a solid starting point for a good story.
Steven Williams is an avid traveler and amateur cook. He is a graduate of Northwestern University and lives in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania with his wife Danielle. Skadi is his debut novel.