Book: Star Trek Roleplaying Game Narrator’s Guide
This is where Dan Wells gets his seven-point structure from. See Video: Seven-point story structure (Dan Wells).
Seven points:
- Act 1 (introduction)
- Hook
- Plot turn 1
- Act 2 (confrontation)
- Pinch 1
- Midpoint
- Pinch 2
- Plot turn 2
- Act 3 (resolution)
- Resolution
A scene can have several purposes:
- Establish atmosphere
- Create, introduce, or develop conflict (or dilemma, obstacle, …)
- Present a mystery or raise a question
- Answer a question or resolve a conflict (usually at end of act/story)
- Provide information (in hook or early in act 2)
- Develop character
- Fun
For the resolution, figure out the “what” (how will the story solve the central conflict?) and the “where.”
In the hook, introduce the central conflict. Pose the question to be answered, the threat to be defeated, or the catastrophe to be averted. A good hook asks a question which the reader will keep trying to answer.