How To Write The "Perfect" Story Structure

Jonathan

10 May 202407:54

Summary

TLDRThe video script emphasizes the importance of story structure in engaging audiences, suggesting that the first 20% should introduce characters and a new world, the middle 50-70% should deepen the plot and character arcs, and the final 70-95% should culminate in a satisfying climax. It uses examples from popular media to illustrate these points.

Takeaways

😀 Establish the audience's interest in the first 5% of the story by quickly introducing what they care about.
🎬 Story structures should not be rigidly applied; the introduction should be shorter than the climax, and the characters and audience's curiosity should be established early.
🌟 The 'insiding incident' occurs around 20% into the story, where the character explores a new world or experiences something different and exciting.
💪 The main portion of the story, from 20% to 50%, is where the bulk of the plot unfolds, and the audience gets what they came for, such as the main character learning magic or a superhero meeting the villain.
📚 Story structures are not just for books and films; they can be found in YouTube videos, where creators like Mr. Beast master storytelling through clear narratives.
🔍 The beginning of a story should make the audience care about the characters and the world, setting the stage for the plot and character development.
🔥 From 50% to 70%, the story intensifies as the characters start to change, but their arcs are not complete yet, leading to a turning point that determines the protagonist's fate.
🕷️ In Spider-Man: Homecoming, the turning point occurs when the Vulture discovers Peter Parker's identity, changing the trajectory of the story.
🌪️ The final battle, from 70% to 95%, is the climax where all built-up tension and character development culminate in a decisive confrontation or performance.
🎉 The last 5% of the story should leave the audience satisfied, ideally with a memorable and fun conclusion that reflects the creator's enjoyment in crafting the story.

Q & A

What is the key to establishing a story that the audience will find addicting?
-The key is to quickly establish who and what the audience cares about, and to craft a story that keeps them engaged from the beginning, with a clear structure that builds up to a satisfying climax.
Why is it difficult to apply traditional story structures to visual storytelling?
-Traditional story structures may not make sense visually because each part of the story should not be equal; for instance, the introduction should not be as long as the climax.
What happens in the first 20% of a story according to the transcript?
-In the first 20%, the inciting incident occurs, where the audience gets to explore a new world with the character, experiencing something new and exciting that is slightly uncomfortable.
What is the main purpose of the middle portion of the story?
-The main purpose of the middle portion is to deliver on the promises made in the introduction, where the main character starts to face challenges and the audience gets to enjoy the unfolding plot.
How does the YouTube creator Mr Beast use storytelling in his videos?
-Mr Beast uses storytelling by establishing what the audience should be curious about, setting up challenges, and creating a narrative that follows a clear story structure, even in his videos.
What is the significance of the character's introduction in the beginning of a story?
-The introduction is significant because it allows the audience to get invested in the world and characters, giving them a reason to root for the main character and connect with their journey.
How does the transcript suggest enhancing the story between 50 to 70% of the narrative?
-The transcript suggests making the plot more intense, with the characters starting to change but not yet completing their arcs, and introducing a turning point that keeps the audience engaged and excited.
What is the role of the 'final battle' in the last 70 to 95% of the story?
-The 'final battle' is the climax of the story where all the built-up tension and character development come to a head, providing a culmination of the hero's journey and the resolution of the main conflict.
Why is it important for the final part of the story to leave the audience satisfied?
-Leaving the audience satisfied is important because it ensures a positive reception of the story, making them feel that the journey was worthwhile and encouraging them to engage with future content.
What advice does the transcript give for the 'final battle' section of the story?
-The advice given is to have fun, be creative, and take risks by showing something new and visually interesting, without playing it safe, to make the climax memorable and enjoyable for the audience.

Outlines

00:00

🎬 Crafting an Addictive Story Structure

The first paragraph emphasizes the importance of quickly establishing what the audience cares about in the initial 5% of a story. It discusses the challenge of applying story structures visually and suggests that the introduction should not be equal in length to the climax. The speaker shares their insights on story structure after studying numerous narratives, highlighting the 'insiding incident' around the 20% mark, where the character explores a new world. This part of the story should be exciting yet slightly uncomfortable, setting up what the audience is curious about. The main portion of the story, where the plot unfolds, is described as the bulk of what the audience came for, involving key events like the start of a romance or a superhero's first encounter with a villain. The speaker also uses examples from popular culture, such as Mr. Beast's YouTube videos, to illustrate how storytelling is prevalent in various media.

05:01

🔥 The Turning Point and Climax in Storytelling

The second paragraph delves into the turning point of a story, typically occurring between 50% to 70% of the narrative. This section is crucial as it determines whether the protagonist will fulfill their desires. The speaker uses examples from the 'Spider-Man' movies to illustrate how a reveal or a twist can change the trajectory of the story, adding a new layer of tension while still maintaining the core conflict. The 'final battle' from 70% to 95% is described as the climax where all built-up tension is resolved. This part of the story should be the most enjoyable for both the creator and the audience, encouraging creators to take risks and innovate. The last 5% of the story should leave the audience satisfied, wrapping up the narrative in a way that feels complete and rewarding.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Story Structure

Story structure refers to the organization of events within a narrative. In the script, it is emphasized as a crucial element for crafting an engaging narrative across various media, including books, YouTube videos, and films. The video discusses a specific structure where different parts of the story are not equal in length or importance, with the introduction setting up the audience's curiosity and the climax providing the most intense experience.

💡Inciting Incident

The inciting incident is a key event that sets the main story in motion. Defined as occurring around the 20% mark in the video's proposed structure, it introduces a new world or situation that differs from the norm, creating intrigue and excitement for the audience. An example given is the start of a romance in a romcom or entering a fantasy world.

💡Character Arc

A character arc describes the personal journey and transformation of a character over the course of a story. The script mentions that from 50 to 70% of the narrative, characters begin to change more intensely, indicating the development of their arcs, which are not yet complete and contribute to the story's turning point.

💡Turning Point

The turning point is a pivotal moment in a story that leads to a change in direction or a significant development. The script illustrates this concept by explaining that it usually occurs between the 50 to 70% mark, intensifying the plot and character development, and distinguishing it from the previous section to avoid audience fatigue.

💡Climax

The climax is the peak or most intense part of a story, typically involving the resolution of the main conflict. The video describes the final battle as the climax, occurring from 70 to 95% through the narrative, where all the built-up tension and character development culminate in a decisive event, such as a battle or competition.

💡Redemption Arc

A redemption arc is a type of character arc where a character overcomes failure or past mistakes to achieve a positive outcome. The script cites an example from a YouTube video where a character, after losing previously, faces challenges in an attempt to redeem himself, which is a central part of the story's narrative.

💡Relatability

Relatability refers to the ability of the audience to identify with or feel a connection to the characters and their experiences. The script stresses the importance of creating characters that the audience can see parts of themselves in, which helps in building an emotional connection and investment in the story.

💡Investment

Investment in a narrative context means the emotional engagement or interest that the audience has in the story and its characters. The video script talks about the importance of the introduction in getting the audience invested in the world and characters, providing a reason to root for the main character.

💡Pacing

Pacing refers to the speed at which the story unfolds. The script discusses the importance of varying the pacing to keep the audience engaged, using the metaphor of eating a meal to explain the need for changes in intensity and interest levels throughout the story.

💡Finale

The finale is the concluding part of a narrative, often signifying the resolution of the main plot. The script describes the last 5% of the story as the finale, where the audience should be left satisfied, wrapping up all the narrative threads and providing a sense of completion.

💡Engagement

Engagement in the context of storytelling is the measure of how involved or interested the audience is in the narrative. The video emphasizes creating an engaging story by establishing what the audience should care about early on and maintaining their interest through a well-structured narrative.

Highlights

Establishing who and what the audience cares about is crucial in the first 5% of a story.

Story structures should not be equal in each part; the intro should not be as long as the climax.

Characters and audience's curiosity should be established as quickly as possible in the beginning.

The best way to structure a story involves studying hundreds of different stories.

The inciting incident happens around 20% into the story, where the character explores a new world.

The main portion of the story, where the bulk of the plot unfolds, is crucial to deliver on what was promised.

Story structures are evident in YouTube videos, such as those by Mr. Beast, who has mastered storytelling.

The beginning of a story lets the audience get invested in the world and characters.

The turning point from 50 to 70% of the story should feel different to avoid audience fatigue.

The final battle from 70 to 95% of the story is the climax where everything built up should be paid off.

Having fun during the final battle is important as it reflects the writer's or creator's enjoyment.

The last 5% of the story should leave the audience satisfied.

Story structures exist everywhere, not just in traditional narratives but also in modern media like YouTube videos.

Relatable character arcs, such as regret and failure, help the audience connect with the main character.

The turning point in a story can be a reveal that changes the trajectory, such as in Spider-Man: Homecoming.

The climax should be a culmination of all the hard work and lessons learned by the hero.

Encouraging creators to take risks and show something new in the final battle can make the story more engaging.