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The 3-Act Story Structure
Welcome to the Write Well Series.
This is where you will get equipped with the skills you need to minister through writing.
● Are you keen to get your stories out but don’t know how?
● Do you write but get stuck along the line?
● Would you like to have a roadmap for your writing?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, this topic is for you.
HEART BEFORE ART
The inside of the vessel is more important than the outside. Your heavenly Father calls you to pay attention to your heart before you increase your skills in the art. “Writing is the art, obedience is the heart.”
THE 3-ACT STORY STRUCTURE
This tool will help you get your stories flowing.
Every story has a beginning, middle and an end. These correspond to Acts I, II, and III. Certain events or scenes happen in each Act to move the story forward. You slot your events or scenes in as you go from the start of your story to the end. Note that this is a template to help you tell your story in an engaging way, but it in no way takes away your flexibility to portray your story in the way you are led by the Lord, to fulfil His purpose. It is not a box to confine you, but a tool to assist you. Moreover, not every story follows the 3-Act structure.
Act I (Beginning 25%)
● Normal world/situation
● Inciting incident (something happens to change the normal, a ‘call to adventure’, a hook)
● Turning Point 1 (a decision is made by the main character that leads to a point of no return)
Act II (Middle 50%)
● New world
● Conflict (between main character and his desires)
● Obstacles -many! (between main character and his goal)
● Turning Point 2 (a decision is made by the main character that changes the direction of the story)
Act III (End 25%)
● Climax (what happens finally)
● Resolution (tie up any loose ends)
CALL TO ACTION
✔ Take a look at the story of The Prodigal Son (Luke 10:11-33) and see how the 3-Act Story Structure applies to it
✔ Google search the 3-Act Story Structure; read articles or watch YouTube videos about it
✔ Start to organise your story ideas into this structure
✔ Heart before art: Keep your heart pure in God’s sight
Start using the 3-Act Story Structure and see how your writing flows! Join us next edition for another tool in the Write Well Series. Let’s be equipped to serve.
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