STORY

01.02 Story Arc

There seem to be an endless number of stories. Some similar and some so distinct and contrary as to leave us questioning someones sanity (Ours or the writer's). One of the things that makes a story interesting to us is the way a story moves. This is called the story arc or narrative arc. Stories that are vastly different in time, space, style, goal, etc... may share a similar arc. These arcs are the momentum of the story, the change that keeps us interested. Like the ups and downs that make a roller coaster interesting, a narrative arc keeps us interested in the story.

DEFINE: STORY ARC

A story arc, or narrative arc, describes the shape of the change in value, whether rise or fall, over the course of the story.

To The Charts!

A story arc can be plotted on a chart, with the x axis being from the beginning to end of the narrative and the y axis being positive and negative value. Let's look at an example:

Double Man In A Hole

This is the Double Man In A Hole story arc. You can see that the value is not defined because this can vary from story to story.

A good example of a film that follows this arc would be The Lion King

Now before we examine how The Lion King fits this arc we have to talk about value. You may have seen the Hierarchy of human needs before:

Values

These are the different values upon which a story arc can be defined. In most storied there will be change in most of these need areas but the story will hinge on one primarily.

Let's go back to the Lion King. What is the primary value that the story hinges on. Certainly Simba's safety and security changes during the movie, but it's not the thing that moves the story...

You could argue, but I believe the lion king hinges on the very top of the pyramid: Self-Actualization. Let's examine how this fits the Double Man In A Hole arc. Early on, Simba sings a song: "I Just can't wait to be king". He knows his destiny, his role, his purpose. After Mufasa dies he runs away from all that. (The First Hole) He finds Pumba and Timon. He finds a new motto, Hakuna Mattata! He "Knows" who he is again. (The Rise) When Nala arrives, she throws him into confusion again about whether he should be king, or ignore his past. (The Second Hole) Later he is confronted by the spirit of his father to "Remember who you are." He goes back and reclaims his right and responsibility as king. (The Final Rise).

So That's a Story Arc. University of Vermont study found that there are six primary story arcs that are most common. You should be able to figure out the shape of these on your own.

Rags To Riches
Riches To Rags
Man In A Hole / Double Man In A Hole
Icarus
Cinderella
Oedipus (fall then rise then fall)

Keep in mind that even though some of the titles imply values (Riches). These are really only about the shape of the curve and can express the movement of any of the previously mentioned values.

THINK ABOUT IT

Try to think of a story that fits each of the story arc models, and identify the primary value that the story moves along.

Finally we can continue to identify key pieces of story by charting the Dramatic Structure of the story on the Arc. There are several ways of thinking about Dramatic Structure but I like the six part structure they use at The Write Practice. (These should also be somewhat obvious as to what they mean. But Pinning down exactly where they occur can still be challenging.)

Exposition
Inciting Incident
Rising Action/Progressive Complications
Crisis (Character must make a choice)
Climax
Resolution

Once these elements are charted, the story arc chart looks like this.

ASSIGNMENT

Plot the story arc of 3 Films that you have seen. Identify the Arc type, the primary value, and dramatic structure elements, and in a few words describe the context of the dramatic structure elements. Be prepared to share at least one during the next class.

Acknowledgment: The content over at thewritepractice.com was essential while putting together this lesson. Thank You to Joe Bunting.

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