A great story has a beginning, middle, and end. But it is rarely so simple. A good author weaves in twists and turns that make the beginning, middle and end flow together well, which is often what separates a mediocre film from a superb one: the story arc.
The three acts of a story are what give it structure to follow. There are multiple climaxes, usually one main one in each of the three acts, which are:
- Set up
- Confrontation
- Resolution
The main climax in the story, which is built up to in the exposition and rising action, is what drives every stage of the story. This could be a duel in a Western film, or a confrontation between a husband and wife.
Overall, narrative structures are crucial for making any media text easy to follow and enjoyable.
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