How Stories Work

A set of vocabulary flashcards to aid in understanding key terms related to storytelling and narrative structure.

Story

A recounted event or series of events.

Narrative

The meaning evoked by a story.

Storytelling

The art of building a story purposefully to serve a particular narrative.

Conflict

The opposition between characters or forces that drives the plot.

Structure

The arrangement of story elements to start, escalate, and resolve the central conflict.

Character

The individuals who populate the story and whose goals and conflicts drive the narrative.

Protagonist

The main character who drives the story forward by pursuing their goals.

Antagonist

A character or force that opposes the protagonist, creating conflict.

Vulnerability

The quality that makes characters relatable and human, often through their weaknesses or emotional openness.

Goal

What the characters strive to achieve, driving their actions and decisions.

Scene

A segment of the story in which a specific event or interaction takes place.

Craft

The set of principles that guide storytelling, including structure, character building, and conflict.

Magic

The unique, intangible quality that makes a story resonate deeply with its audience.

Escalate

To intensify the conflict or stakes within a story.

Meaning

The underlying significance or message conveyed by the story.

Log-line

A brief one-sentence summary that captures the essence of the story.

Theory

A systematic set of principles used to understand and create stories.

Three-Act Structure

A common story structure divided into three parts: Act One, Act Two, and Act Three.

Seven Anchor Scenes

Key scenes in a story that anchor the narrative and structure major plot points.

Inciting Incident

The event that starts the main conflict of the story.

Climax

The peak of the story's conflict, where the protagonist faces the greatest challenge.

Resolution

The part of the story where the conflict is resolved and the story concludes.

Act One

The first part of the three-act structure that introduces the protagonist, setting, and central conflict.

Act Two

The middle part of the three-act structure where the conflict escalates and the protagonist faces challenges.

Act Three

The final part of the three-act structure where the climax occurs and the story resolves.

Active Choice

Decisions made by the protagonist that drive the story forward and escalate the conflict.

Dark Moment

A critical point in the story where the protagonist faces their greatest challenge or despair.

Point of No Return

The moment when the protagonist fully commits to the conflict, with no turning back.

Parallel Structures

Two or more separate storylines that are intertwined within the narrative.

Peripeteia

A sudden reversal of fortune.