3 Act Structure Diagram
with Character Arc
unaware & Incapable
aware & incapable
becoming aware & capable
Integrated awareness & capable
Character
Story
Inciting Incident
Plot Echo 1
Midpoint
Decision
ACT I
Climax
Plot Echo 2
Crisis
2nd Turning Point
1st Turning Point
ACT III
ACT II
Who they are.
How they evolve.
Who they become.
StorySpine--Outerstory:theattempttoachieveaparticulargoal/desire
CharacterArc--Innerstory:themaincharacter’sgrowthandevolutionfromlimitedtoexpandedsenseofself
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©2017DeepStoryDesign/AprilBosshard
BASIC CHARACTER ARC NOTES
(to accompany the SMWC workshop: “The Hidden Magic of Story Development”)
Act 1 – Who They Are
(Unaware & Incapable)
Introduce character. Hint at their flaw/blind spot based on a strong belief system usually protecting
an old wound. The arc begins.
We see the character in an ordinary situation and then observe them encountering and reacting to
the catalyst/triggering event (Inciting Incident)
The character makes a decision in response to the Inciting Incident. This decision launches us into the
nd
st
2 act (1 Turning Point).
Act 2 – How They Evolve
(Aware & Incapable)
For the first part of act 2 they apply their old blind-spot belief system to a new situation, where they
encounter many obstacles and tests. They keep trying to learn the new things using their old ways.
They make only minor adjustments. They are developing capabilities but are held back by old ways
of being and doing. They are becoming aware of their need to grow but are incapable of making the
necessary internal changes.
MIDPOINT
(Becoming Aware & Capable)
In the second part of act 2, they try to apply aspects of a new belief system but are still in the grip of
the old one – back and forth, trial and error. Their skills are developing and they are getting closer to
their full capability, but it’s not until the crisis point that they confront themselves and make the final
inner change/evolution.
At CRISIS/moment of truth – the old belief system truly dies (not in tragedy) and is replaced by a
nd
new, expanded set of beliefs. A decision to act on what has been learned (2 Turning Point)
Act 3 – Who They Become
(Integrating Awareness and Capability)
Character makes a concerted effort to apply new, truth-based, clear-seeing belief system
wholeheartedly. Exercises new capabilities with this integrated awareness in order to overcome
obstacle/defeat antagonist/achieve goal. This final expression of growth through action expresses
the story’s thematic meaning.
CLIMAX – a true test of the new belief system and proof of change
Resolution – the character has grown, changed, evolved to an expanded version of self. A new
equilibrium is attained. The arc has been fulfilled.
www.deepstorydesign.com
©2017DeepStoryDesign/AprilBosshard
CHARACTER ARC DEVELOPMENT CHECKLIST
(to accompany the SMWC workshop: “The Hidden Magic of Story Development”)
Ask yourself the following questions to help create a strong character arc:
What is my character’s ruling passion at the beginning of the story? (a way of being and/or
doing that he/she believes will achieve goals representative of values)
Is it tied to a strongly held belief (possibly mistaken) about the self or the world?
Does my character have “room to grow”?
What is my character’s flaw or blind spot?
What does my character need to heal or learn in order to become a more fully expressed
human being? (this is connected to the flaw or blind spot)
What types of values, beliefs and attitudes does my character adhere to?
What kinds of fears and desires are connected to these values, beliefs, and attitudes?
Do other characters, especially the antagonist, possess opposing values, beliefs, and attitudes?
Does my character’s ruling passion change as he/she faces different obstacles and situations?
Does the initial ruling passion resurface throughout the story? (perhaps to cause problems)
Does my character have a worthy* goal? (consistent with values and ruling passion)
Does my character face worthy adversaries in pursuit of this goal?
Does my character experience a “moment of truth” that allows him to expand into a larger
version of himself? (a breaking down of old perceptions and a change or expansion of beliefs)
Does my character heal an old wound or learn something new that was missing in her
character?
Has my character solved the story problem through skills attained through growth and
change?
Has my character’s inner journey expressed my story’s most meaningful theme?
~
* The goal doesn’t have to be ‘good’ or altruistic, in fact it’s often quite self-serving at the outset,
but it does have to be potent enough to inspire action and generate opposition. The goal can
shift and change once the story gets going, but it must continue to represent what the
character hopes to attain.
www.deepstorydesign.com
©2017DeepStoryDesign/AprilBosshard