Episode 196 The Acts of the Author

Today's Topic 3 Act Structure and 5 Act Structure

So I hear a lot from worldbuilders. I have interviewed them on the podcast. I talk to them all the time in the Fantasy Worldbuilder's Undercroft Facebook group. When the topic shifts to storytelling. The most common topics are act structures. The two most common versions are the 3 act structure and the 5 act structure.

Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes

These are important to understanding

Common structures in storytelling are vital. They make it easier for readers to make sense of the stories. It has an additional benefit for the storyteller. Structure tells us when to climax the story and start the resolution. I am not an academic or even overly educated in the structure and plots and stories. However, I have seen and read many stories. And most of them have either 3 act structure or the 5 act structure.

I am not an academic or even overly educated in the structure and plots and stories. However, I have seen and read many stories. And most of them have either 3 act structure or the 5 act structure. They alone will not name your story great. However, great structure gives your story the needed foundation to build up.

You are invited

Join Michael and I as we look at the 3 act structure and the 5 act structure in this weeks episode of the Worldbuilder's Anvil Podcast.

Podcast Show Flow

3 Act Structure
- The Setup
  - Ends with a twist that starts to confrontation
  - Luke and Ben go to save Lea
- The confrontation
  - Makes clear the purpose
  - Ben Dies and the rest escape the death star
- The Resolution
5 Act Structure
- The Exposition
  - Gonzalo, Antonio, and Alonso Freak out about storm created by Prospero
- Rising Action
  - Causes a shipwreck to get brother and King of Naples on the island
- The Climax
  - Ariel appears to punish Alonso, Antonio, and Sebastian at the end of a creepy banquet
- Falling action
  - Marriage okay (a Prospero’s goals) and beautiful clothes take out the dunk and the spirit chase begins
- Resolution
  - Prospero feels bad and brings back all the characters, Frees Ariel and Caliban gives a heck of a speech and breaks his staff and then begs for applause