Comments on: The five act story structure http://jordanmccollum.com/2009/09/act-story-structure/ mysteries to fall in love with, romance to keep you in suspense Sat, 19 May 2012 20:11:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jordan http://jordanmccollum.com/2009/09/act-story-structure/#comment-746 Jordan Wed, 23 Sep 2009 21:25:13 +0000 http://jordanmccollum.com/?p=1372#comment-746 Well, when we used the chart in high school, "climax" meant "climax"—the final confrontation. It's not really the same as the midpoint from the the five-act structure. That's why it's almost at the end of the chart. Well, when we used the chart in high school, “climax” meant “climax”—the final confrontation. It’s not really the same as the midpoint from the the five-act structure. That’s why it’s almost at the end of the chart.

]]> By: Iapetus999 http://jordanmccollum.com/2009/09/act-story-structure/#comment-745 Iapetus999 Wed, 23 Sep 2009 21:05:26 +0000 http://jordanmccollum.com/?p=1372#comment-745 I think of it as three main plot points. First point, at the end of "exposition", is when the hero makes a decision to confront his issues instead of avoiding them. The second point, which I think is this "climax" on your chart, is when the hero survives and ordeal and gains a small victory against the dark forces. However, this awakens the dark forces and he's forced down another path. I think this is your falling action. The third point is the final climax when the hero confronts the dark forces for the last time and the "story question" is answered. So here's my proposal for better naming: Exposition: "I'm out of money and the rent is due. Whatever am I going to do?" Rising Action: "The night guard is out sick. Let's steal a bunch of crap from the corrupt MegaBuy and sell it on Ebay." Climax: "This is not going well. There's another guard and he's a mean SOB. He sounded the alarm!" Falling Action: "Look at all our loot. We're going to be rich. But first, run for your life!" Resolution: "We're cornered. But the mean guard hates MegaBuy. We promise to return the loot and live to see another day. We now have jobs at MegaBuy. We can Ebay stuff without even leaving the store. The end." :) I think of it as three main plot points.
First point, at the end of “exposition”, is when the hero makes a decision to confront his issues instead of avoiding them.
The second point, which I think is this “climax” on your chart, is when the hero survives and ordeal and gains a small victory against the dark forces. However, this awakens the dark forces and he’s forced down another path. I think this is your falling action.
The third point is the final climax when the hero confronts the dark forces for the last time and the “story question” is answered.

So here’s my proposal for better naming:
Exposition: “I’m out of money and the rent is due. Whatever am I going to do?”
Rising Action: “The night guard is out sick. Let’s steal a bunch of crap from the corrupt MegaBuy and sell it on Ebay.”
Climax: “This is not going well. There’s another guard and he’s a mean SOB. He sounded the alarm!”
Falling Action: “Look at all our loot. We’re going to be rich. But first, run for your life!”
Resolution: “We’re cornered. But the mean guard hates MegaBuy. We promise to return the loot and live to see another day. We now have jobs at MegaBuy. We can Ebay stuff without even leaving the store. The end.”

:)

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