Story structure is the way a narrative’s elements are arranged so an audience can recognize and follow the story. This lesson introduces the idea of structure and compares two influential models: the three-act structure and kishōtenketsu.
A story is a sequence of events, real or fictional, presented in prose, verse, or a script to entertain, inform, or do both. Story structure is the recognizable organization of a story’s elements and events. It may refer especially to the order in which plot events are presented.
All flashcards
Story structure
The recognizable organization of a narrative’s elements and events.
Aristotle’s two-part plot
A plot with desis (complication) and lysis (resolution), separated by a reversal.
Kishōtenketsu
A four-part structure: introduction, development, turning point, and result.
Nonlinear narrative
A narrative that presents events out of chronological order or disrupts direct cause and effect.
Simple graphic narrative
A narrative commonly organized as situation, complication, resolution, and denouement.
Quiz questions
What two broad parts did Aristotle use to describe plot in the Poetics?Answer: Desis (complication) and lysis (resolution), separated by a reversal.
Which sequence gives the five parts of Freytag’s pattern in order?Answer: Introduction, rise, climax, return or fall, catastrophe.
What makes a narrative linear?Answer: Events are presented largely in the chronological order in which they occur.
What distinguishes interactive narrative from interactive narration?Answer: In interactive narrative, user choices can influence the story’s path or outcome.
In a simple graphic narrative, how do resolution and denouement differ?Answer: Resolution is the response to the complication; denouement shows the aftermath.
Based on the Wikipedia article Story structure, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.