What is Narrative Structure

Imagine sitting around a campfire, the flames casting shadows as a storyteller begins to weave a tale. The anticipation builds, not just for the story itself, but for the journey the narrative will take you on. This scenario underscores the power of narrative structure—the invisible framework that guides the unfolding of a story.

Whether it's a novel, a movie, or a campfire tale, the narrative structure organizes the plot, characters, and settings into a cohesive whole, ensuring that each element contributes to the overall impact of the story. In this article, we'll explore the definition, elements, and types of narrative structure, providing you with the tools to understand and appreciate the art of storytelling in its many forms.

Understanding Narrative Structure

The narrative structure acts as the skeleton of a story, outlining the arrangement and presentation of the story's components to the audience or readers. This structure encompasses critical elements such as plot, characters, setting, and theme, all brought to life through the author's strategic use of literary techniques and devices.

This structure segments the story into its foundational parts: the beginning, middle, and end. The chosen genre significantly shapes the narrative structure, as each genre may necessitate a unique approach to how the story is constructed. A robust narrative structure enables authors to deliver the story's events and themes to their audience effectively.

Varying narrative structures, including linear and circular forms, influence the sequence of events within a story. Authors select a narrative structure that best serves their narrative, allowing the sequence of events to highlight the story's themes in distinct ways.

Key Elements of Narrative Structure

To delve into various narrative structures, it's essential first to grasp the fundamental components of narrative structure: the beginning, middle, and end.

The presentation and significance of these elements can vary, depending on the narrative and the author's intentions. Recognizing these components aids readers and writers in better understanding and critiquing stories.

Tracing back to Aristotle's "Poetics", the groundwork for narrative structure was laid, highlighting the critical need for a story to have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Aristotle posited that a story's events should seamlessly transition from one to the next.

Five Narrative Structure Types

Narrative structures can be categorized into five types.

Linear Narrative Structure

A linear narrative unfolds events in a sequential, chronological manner, propelling the plot forward in time. While it predominantly marches towards the future, it can incorporate retrospective elements like flashbacks, clearly marked as deviations from the main, chronological storyline.

Nonlinear Narrative Structure

Contrasting with linear narratives, nonlinear narratives scatter the plot across various points in time, not adhering to a chronological sequence. This structure may start with the story's conclusion and employ techniques like flashbacks to navigate through time, enriching the narrative with a complex temporal landscape.

Circular Narrative Structure

In circular narratives, the story loops back to its starting point by the end. This structure creates a sense of completion, as the conclusion echoes the beginning, often reflecting philosophical or spiritual themes found in Buddhist and Hindu traditions, which view life as a cyclical journey of birth, life, death, and rebirth.

Parallel Narrative Structure

This structure weaves together multiple storylines that may run concurrently and intersect at certain points, or remain distinct yet thematically linked. The connection among these narratives can be a common event, character, or thematic element, offering a multifaceted perspective on the story’s universe.

Interactive Narrative Structure

Interactive narratives place the audience in a pivotal role, allowing them to make choices that influence the story's direction. This structure engages the reader or viewer in the storytelling process, offering multiple pathways and outcomes based on the decisions made during the narrative experience.

Common Narrative Structures

Below we will show several commonly used narrative structures.

Three Act Structure

Stories that adhere to the three-act structure break down the narrative into an initial setup, a middle filled with conflict, and a conclusive resolution. This framework was formalized by Syd Field in his work Screenplay (1978), where he delineated the acts into Setup, Confrontation, and Resolution.

Act 1. The Setup introduces the setting, characters, and the narrative's universe. An inciting incident then launches the story forward, marking a pivotal plot point that transitions the narrative to the subsequent act. It's here that the central dramatic question is posed, such as: Can the hero overcome adversity? Will the detective solve the mystery? Do the lovers find their happily ever after?

Act 2. The Confrontation escalates the narrative's tension and crises through rising action. This act charts the protagonist's journey, from an initial crisis at the midpoint to a crucial turning point. The protagonist encounters challenges, adversaries, and allies, confronting the complexities of this new world. A significant event disrupts the protagonist's main objective, leading to failure. This setback forces the protagonist to introspect and discover their true potential.

Act 3. In the climax and subsequent Resolution/denouement of the final act, the protagonist faces a decisive moment, choosing between a renewed attempt at success or accepting defeat. Armed with the insights gained from the second act, the protagonist confronts the ultimate challenge, typically emerging victorious. The denouement establishes a new status quo, resolves lingering questions, and addresses the aftermath of the climax.

Fichtean Curve

John Gardner, a notable writer and professor, introduced the concept of the Fichtean Curve in The Art of Fiction (1983). Through his analysis of various narratives, he identified the pivotal components of rising action, climax, and falling action. This narrative framework is particularly effective for character-centric stories that demand a brisk pace.

1. In the Fichtean Curve, the story propels the protagonist directly into rising action, bypassing the initial setup of an ordinary world. This stage is rich with world-building, character development, and the introduction of background information. The protagonist encounters a series of escalating conflicts, each acting as a crucial plot point.
2. The story reaches its zenith about two-thirds of the way through, at the climax, where tension hits its peak. This critical juncture forces the protagonist to face the main conflict head-on or deal with the consequences of failure. More often than not, the protagonist's triumph over adversity marks the transition to the falling action.
3. Post-climax, the narrative moves into the falling action, setting the stage for the story's resolution. This segment resolves any remaining conflicts, completes the protagonist's character arc, and may introduce a new status quo, showcasing the protagonist's growth and transformation.

The Hero’s Journey

The concept of the hero's journey is a cornerstone in narrative theory, popularized by Joseph Campbell, an influential writer and scholar. In his seminal book The Hero with a Thousand Faces (1949), Campbell dissected the common threads running through global mythologies, unveiling a universal narrative framework. Screenwriter Christian Volger refined Campbell’s original 17 stages into a more streamlined set of 12 essential phases.

Here are Volger's 12 pivotal stages of the Hero's Journey:

1. The narrative begins in the ordinary world, setting the scene for the hero's normal life before the adventure.
2. A call to adventure disrupts the hero's routine, serving as the spark for their journey.
3. The hero initially refuses the call, hesitant to leave their comfort zone.
4. A mentor appears, offering the hero wisdom and guidance to help them face the impending challenges. This could be a wise figure who helps the hero hone their skills or bestow magical aid.
5. The hero crosses the threshold, venturing into unknown territory.
6. The hero then navigates a path of tests, allies, and enemies, shaping their journey forward.
7. Moving closer to their goal, the hero reaches the innermost cave, symbolizing the heart of their quest.
8. A critical ordeal awaits, posing the hero's toughest challenge yet.
9. Victory in this trial grants the hero the reward they have been seeking, marking a moment of achievement.
10. On the road back, the hero learns that their quest is not yet complete, and the reward won brings new challenges.
11. In the resurrection phase, the hero undergoes a final test, applying all they have learned to emerge victorious.
12. The journey concludes with the hero returning with the elixir, bringing newfound wisdom or power back to their ordinary world.

The Seven-Point Story Structure

Influenced by Campbell's Hero's Journey and brought into the spotlight by Dan Wells, this narrative technique encourages authors to start with the end in mind, ensuring they know where the story is headed before plotting the journey. The Seven-Point Story Structure is built on seven crucial steps, providing a novel framework for developing engaging stories.

1. Introduction: This initial phase introduces the protagonist and their ordinary world prior to any major events.
2. Inciting Incident: The catalyst that disturbs the protagonist's everyday life, launching them into the narrative's main action.
3. First Turning Point: A critical event or discovery that significantly alters the protagonist's path.
4. Middle: This core section sees the protagonist navigating through trials and tribulations, shaping their growth and development.
5. Second Turning Point: A crucial juncture that presents a significant challenge or insight, further complicating the narrative.
6. Climax: The narrative's peak, featuring the utmost conflict and tension as the protagonist faces their greatest trial.
7. Resolution: The conflict's conclusion, where the protagonist emerges transformed, having completed their journey and achieved growth.

Freytag’s Pyramid

Based on the structure of Greek tragedies, this five-stage narrative framework, conceptualized by Gustav Freytag, mirrors the arc of tragic storytelling.

1. Exposition: Sets up the initial scenario and introduces the event that triggers the narrative.
2. Rising Action: Follows the protagonist’s efforts towards their objective, alongside the intensifying challenges.
3. Climax: Represents the height of the narrative’s tension, marking a critical turning point for the protagonist.
4. Falling Action: The aftermath of the climax, where conflicts intensify, leading towards the resolution.
5. Catastrophe: The nadir for the protagonist, a moment where their greatest fears are realized.

Save the Cat! Beat Sheet

Blake Snyder introduced this detailed narrative framework in 2005, breaking down stories into 15 distinct beats for a structured storytelling approach.

1. An opening image that captures the essence of the story and grabs the audience's attention.
2. The 'theme stated' gives a glimpse into the central message of the narrative.
3. A set-up that paints a picture of the protagonist’s everyday life.
4. The catalyst introduces a pivotal event that drives the story forward.
5. A debate phase where the protagonist hesitates to embark on their journey.
6. The 'Break into Two' is a decisive moment where the protagonist chooses to act.
7. The introduction of a B Story provides a supporting subplot that enriches the main theme.
8. The ‘fun and games’ segment, also known as the Promise of the Premise, highlights the story’s more engaging aspects.
9. A midpoint that introduces a significant twist, increasing the stakes.
10. The bad guys close in, ramping up the pressure on the protagonist.
11. An All is lost moment where the protagonist seems to face insurmountable odds.
12. The 'dark night of the soul' leads to a pivotal realization or insight.
13. A 'Break into Three' signals the protagonist's renewed effort to overcome their challenges.
14. In the finale, the protagonist confronts the climax and seeks resolution.
15. The final image reflects the protagonist’s transformation and the story’s resolution.

Exploring Narrative Structure and Character Development

A critical component of narrative structure involves crafting a compelling character arc, which charts the evolution or transformation of a character throughout the narrative. Character arcs are pivotal in driving the story forward, detailing how characters change or remain steadfast in response to the story's events.

Stories typically revolve around a plot arc, focusing on external objectives, or a character arc, which delves into a character's internal journey to overcome personal obstacles and address profound questions.

Positive/Growth Character Arcs

In these arcs, characters confront and overcome their misconceptions or fears, emerging transformed and more enlightened by the story's conclusion.

Negative/Tragic Character Arcs

Characters experiencing a negative arc fail to overcome their personal flaws and misconceptions, often leading to their demise or a downfall by the narrative's end.

Static Character Arcs

Characters with static arcs face significant challenges and opposition to their core beliefs and values, yet they emerge unchanged, holding steadfast to their convictions throughout the story.

Summary

The narrative structure stands as the backbone of storytelling, organizing the plot into a coherent, engaging framework. It traditionally unfolds through a beginning, middle, and end, but can adopt various forms to enrich the narrative. Among these, five primary types of narrative structures—linear, nonlinear, circular, parallel, and interactive—offer diverse pathways for story development.

Furthermore, narrative structures can be analyzed through models like the Fichtean Curve, three-act structure, seven-point structure, Freytag's Pyramid, the hero's journey, and the Save the Cat beat sheet, each providing unique insights into plot construction. Additionally, character development is pivotal, with positive, negative, and static arcs illustrating the evolution or constancy of characters within the story. Understanding these elements and types of narrative structure is crucial for crafting compelling narratives that captivate and resonate with audiences.