The three-act structure … rigid yet flexible.

The three-act structure is a time-tested, dependable and religiously followed creative blueprint which incidentally forms the basis of all stories, whether they are written for theatre, films or books.

The three-act framework is not just about a story being divided into three parts. It is about the timing of these divisions also called the reversal, an important element of any fiction work. The two plot points are spaced out in a definite manner; one at the end of act 1 and the second at the end of act 2.

Mentioned below are the three acts.

Act 1 – It is typically reserved for introducing the main character, also called the MC or the protagonist and his/her relationship with others. The place, time or period is also set up during this phase. By the end of Act 1 the first plot point or the conflict comes into existence.

Act 2 – The conflict heightens at the beginning of act 2. The protagonist then embarks on a journey to overcome this hostility / struggle, only to be faced with several obstacles (Second plot point). Act 2 is broadly divided into 3 parts.

• Aggravated conflict.
• MC’s journey to resolve the conflict.
• Failure due to plethora of obstructions.

Act 3 – Also called the climax. The protagonist in this phase goes all out to overcome his earlier setbacks. It is here that the tension is at its peak. By the end of act 3, the protagonist may or may not achieve success which results in two extreme scenarios; a happy ending or a tragic finale.

The three-act structure is rigid in its framework but flexible in terms of introduction of plot points. It is up to the writer to space out the story, the characters and conflict/s, and how and when the MC accomplishes his/her goal.

Although three-act model offers a solid map around which writers can build their story, many have voiced their concern. According to them, the three-act structure permeated from theatre, and therefore prone to ambiguities when applied to films and books. Television programs are a perfect example where frequent commercial breaks and innumerable episodes make it impossible to adhere to the above mentioned structure … as every break/episode demands a conflict to keep the viewers interest intact.