What Are Story Structures? 7 Types Of Story Structures To Use

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“You don’t have a story until something goes wrong”

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When it comes to creative writing, one of the most invaluable tools an author can make use of is story structures to help them plan and plot their narrative. Whilst you might think that using a pre-existing blueprint might make your story more bland and predictable, if you take a moment and think about your favourite stories, there are likely a lot of shared narrative structures that they all lean on. Story structures have been used by writers for centuries. Which is why we here at What We Reading thought we would take you through everything you need to know about what a story structure is and present some of the most original story structures that any budding novelist can use to craft their own masterpiece. 

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What Is Story Structure?

Story structure refers to the framework or blueprint that guides the sequence of events in a narrative. Put more simply, it’s the order in which the plot plays out. It outlines how a story is organised, including the setup, conflict, climax and resolution. Story structures help authors write a clear, cohesive flow from the first chapter to the last, ensuring that their key plot points are strategically placed to ensure maximum emotional impact and audience engagement. 

Whether it’s plotting a short story, novel or screenplay, understanding story structures is essential for delivering a well-paced and engaging narrative that keeps an audience hooked. A well-crafted story structure will answer all of a reader’s questions, complete a character’s development arc, provide a climax followed by a fitting resolution and ensure any central themes are unravelled. 

Classic Story Structure

When people refer to different story structures, they are usually talking about the different frameworks used to analyse narratives. With that in mind, all stories have certain shared features: 

Features of a classic story structure: 

• Exposition: The opening sequence of a story establishes the scene, the main character’s life, goals and ambitions and normally culminates in the inciting incident.
• Rising action: The protagonist embarks on their new goal, encountering tests and obstacles along the way.
• Climax: The moment of highest tension and drama where the protagonist is faced with their most serious challenge or opposition.
• Falling action: The protagonist is forced to deal with the fallout and consequences of achieving or failing in their goal.
• Resolution: The final sequence of events where plot, character arcs and themes are all tied together.

Whilst it is much easier to spot this outline in some genres more than others, most stories will follow this framework. Even in a story with relatively few stakes in play such as YA romances will feature this sequence. Without these steps, there is no conflict to the events playing out for a reader to feel invested in. 

7 Story Structures For Writers To Try Out

Now that you have a good idea of the most essential components of a story, here are some of the most popular story structures used by authors and how these components are used in them: 

The Three-Act Structure

If you’ve ever heard the saying: ‘every story has a beginning, middle and end’, you’re probably already familiar with The Three-Act Structure. Most Hollywood movies such as Star Wars or The Lion King follow this structure. This story structure splits the components into three acts: Setup, Confrontation and Resolution:

• Act 1: Setup
  • Introduce the protagonist, setting and conflict.
  • Ends with an inciting incident that sets the story in motion.
• Act 2: Confrontation
  • The protagonist faces complications and obstacles.
  • There is a midpoint twist or crisis.
• Act 3: Resolution
  • The climax plays out, where the protagonist confronts the main conflict.
  • The story resolves with all loose ends tied up.

The Hero’s Journey

Taking its inspiration from Joseph Campbell’s concept of the monomyth – a pattern of storytelling that is seen in mythology across the world – The Hero’s Journey is one of the most famous story structures, and easily recognisable for most readers. The Hero’s Journey usually features twelve distinct steps: 

1. Ordinary World: The hero’s everyday life before their adventure begins.
2. Call to Adventure: Something disrupts the hero’s life.
3. Refusal of the Call: The hero hesitates to take action.
4. Meeting the Mentor: The hero receives guidance or advice.
5. Crossing the Threshold: The hero commits to the journey.
6. Tests, Allies and Enemies: The hero makes new allies and faces challenges.
7. Approach to the Inmost Cave: The hero prepares for the major challenge.
8. Ordeal: The hero endures the biggest challenge or crisis.
9. Reward: The hero achieves a victory and gains something valuable.
10. The Road Back: Often with fresh challenges, the hero returns to their world.
11. Resurrection: A final test is introduced and overcome.
12. Return with the Elixir: The hero returns changed, bringing benefits to others.

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Check Out The Differences Between Heroes And Protagonists

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The Freytag Pyramid

Named after a German novelist and playwright from the nineteenth century, Freytag’s Pyramid is a five-point dramatic story structure that takes its influence from classic Greek tragedies. 

1. Exposition: Introduction of characters, setting and basic conflict.
2. Rising Action: The story builds tension through complications.
3. Climax: The turning point in the plot where tension reaches a point of no return.
4. Falling Action: Tension continues to build after the climax.
5. Catastrophe: The protagonist is left at their lowest point with their worst fears coming true.

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Check Out Our Guide To Writing Tragic Heroes

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The Kishōtenketsu

One of the most popular story structures in East Asian storytelling, The Kishōtenketsu is a four-part structure that can be found in works such as Japanese anime or manga. 

1. Ki (Introduction): The story is set, introducing the characters and situation.
2. Sho (Development): Development of the situation with no major changes.
3. Ten (Twist): An unexpected twist or complication suddenly arises.
4. Ketsu (Connection): The story reaches a conclusion with the twist being resolved.

The Dan Harmon Story Circle

The Dan Harmon Story Circle is another variation of John Campbell’s monomyth structure. The Story Circle is an approach coined by Rick and Morty co-creator, Dan Harmon. Also taking its roots from the Hero’s Journey, this is one of the best story structures for focusing on a protagonist’s own arc and development. Rather than focusing on concepts such as the midpoint, each portion of the circle forces a writer to think about a character’s wants and needs. 

1. Zone of Comfort: Establishing the character’s status quo.
2. Wanting Something: A character wants or needs something. This ‘something’ can be long-standing and brought about by an inciting incident.
3. Unfamiliar Situation: The character enters an unfamiliar environment or must do something new to get what they want.
4. Adapt to it: Presented with some obstacles, the character initially struggles, but eventually succeeds.
5. Get What They Want: The character gets what they want, but it is usually a false victory.
6. Heavy Price: The character realises what they ‘wanted’ isn’t what they ‘needed’.
7. Return: The character returns to their familiar environment.
8. Change: Armed with the knowledge from their experience, the character has noticeably changed, either for the better or worse.

In Medias Res (In The Middle Of Things)

This type of story structure starts in the middle of the action. The backstory leading up to it is revealed either through flashbacks or backstories told as the remainder of the story progresses. Homer’s The Iliad and The Odyssey are famous examples of this in the literary world, as are movies such as Pulp Fiction. 

Save The Cat

Save the Cat is another one of the most popular story structures that was initially developed by screenwriter Blake Synder. It is named for a moment in the narrative where a hero or protagonist does something intended to make them likeable to the audience. What makes Save the Cat unique is how Synder places a firm emphasis on exactly when various beats should take place. Whilst it is most common in screenplays, it can be used in short stories, novellas and novels too. 

1. Opening Image (0%-1%): A snapshot of the protagonist’s world and the tone of the story.
2. Theme Stated (5%): Hinting at what the protagonist will learn, a character clearly states the theme or moral of the story.
3. Set-Up (1%-10%): Introduces the protagonist, their relationships and their world. Used to establish their flaws and inner conflicts.
4. Catalyst (10%): The inciting incident that disrupts the protagonist’s status quo. This event kickstarts the story’s main conflict.
5. Debate (10%-20%): The protagonist is confronted with doubts, fears and hesitation about what lies ahead.
6. Break Into Act 2 (20%): The protagonist makes a decision and commits to the story’s journey, moving to the point of no return in Act 2.
7. B Story (22%): Introduce a secondary subplot that offers a counterpoint to the main plot and links into the main theme of the story.
8. Fun and Games (20%-50%): The ‘promise of the premise’ where the main conflict is explored. The protagonist experiences the highs and lows of the central journey.
9. Midpoint (50%): Stakes are raised and the protagonist’s situation changes dramatically on the back of a significant turning point, be it a major victory or defeat.
10. Bad Guys Close In (50%-75%): The protagonist’s situation deteriorates as internal and external tension mounts. The antagonist or villain appears to be growing stronger.
11. All Is Lost (75%): The lowest point in the story, all hope appears to be lost and the protagonist is on the verge of giving up.
12. Dark Night of the Soul (75%-80%): At rock bottom, the protagonist reflects on where things went wrong. There, they hit an epiphany or find renewed determination.
13. Break Into Act 3 (80%): A new plan or situation presents itself and the protagonist commits to it.
14. Finale (80%-99%): The protagonist confronts the main conflict in a cinematic sequence, overcoming the internal flaws and external challenges.
15. Final Image (99%-100%): A mirroring of the opening shot, showcasing how much the protagonist and their world have been changed.