Template structure
What the project starts with
Act I
The world before, and the choice to leave it.
- Ch. 1Opening imageThe hero and the world before the story.
- Ch. 2Theme statedSomeone says what the story is really about; the hero does not see it yet.
- Ch. 3Set-upThe hero’s life, the people in it and what needs fixing.
- Ch. 4CatalystThe event that sets the story moving.
- Ch. 5DebateThe hero doubts what to do.
- Ch. 6Break into twoThe hero chooses a new path.
Act II
The promise of the premise, then the fall.
- Ch. 7B storyA secondary story, often a relationship, that carries the theme.
- Ch. 8Fun and gamesThe premise delivered: what readers came for.
- Ch. 9MidpointA false victory or defeat raises the stakes.
- Ch. 10Bad guys close inDoubt inside, pressure outside.
- Ch. 11All is lostThe opposite of the midpoint: the lowest moment.
- Ch. 12Dark night of the soulThe hero mourns what was lost and finds the lesson.
Act III
The lesson applied.
- Ch. 13Break into threeA new idea, from the B story, opens a way.
- Ch. 14FinaleThe hero fixes what was broken, changed for good.
- Ch. 15Final imageThe world after, mirroring the opening image.
Other structures
Three acts
3 acts · 8 chapters · 13 scenes
The hero’s journey
3 acts · 12 chapters · 12 scenes
Seven-point structure
7 chapters · 7 scenes