How to Tell a Story | Short Animi

Classic Story Structure

This is the most common structure, with seven key elements:

Exposition: This is the introduction, where you set the scene, introduce the characters, and establish the status quo (the world before the main conflict).
Rising Action: This is where you build tension and suspense. The protagonist (main character) faces challenges and obstacles that raise the stakes of the story.
Climax: This is the turning point, the most intense moment of conflict or decision for the protagonist.
Falling Action: This shows the consequences of the climax and how the characters deal with them. The tension typically eases here.
Resolution: This is the ending, where the main conflict is resolved and the story reaches a conclusion.
Dénouement (optional): This is a brief epilogue that ties up any loose ends and shows the long-term consequences of the story.
Theme: This is the underlying message or meaning of the story.

This structure, popularized by Joseph Campbell, describes a common narrative pattern found in myths and stories across cultures. It has 12 stages:

Ordinary World: Introduce the hero in their ordinary world.
Call to Adventure: The hero receives a call to leave their ordinary world.
Refusal of the Call: The hero hesitates or refuses the call.
Meeting the Mentor: The hero meets a mentor who helps them prepare for the journey.
Crossing the Threshold: The hero commits to the journey and enters a new world.
Tests, Allies, and Enemies: The hero faces tests, makes allies, and encounters enemies.
Approach to the Innermost Cave: The hero approaches the heart of the challenge.
Ordeal: The hero faces their biggest challenge.
Reward: The hero gains a reward or treasure.
The Road Back: The hero begins their journey back to the ordinary world.
Resurrection: The hero faces a final challenge before returning.
Return with the Elixir: The hero returns to the ordinary world, transformed by their journey.

There are two main ways to look at the structure of a good story