Three Act Structure Template 5

NOVEL TITLE HERE
Scene Scene
Act Sequence Details
1 2
Chapter
Stakes
Time
Date
S/M Rise
S/M Set
1
Weather
Events
I
Chapter
Stakes
Time
Date
S/M Rise
S/M Set
2
Weather
Events
Chapter
Stakes
Time
Date
S/M Rise
S/M Set
3
Weather
Events
Chapter
Stakes
Time
Date
S/M Rise
S/M Set
4
Weather
Events
II
Chapter
Stakes
Time
Date
S/M Rise
S/M Set
5
Weather
Events
Chapter
Stakes
Time
Date
S/M Rise
S/M Set
6
Weather
Events
Chapter
Stakes
Time
Date
S/M Rise
S/M Set
7
Weather
III
7
Events
III
Chapter
Stakes
Time
Date
S/M Rise
S/M Set
8
Weather
Events
Moon Phases
TITLE HERE
Scene Scene Scene Scene
3 4 5 6
Stakes Key
Gain to Double Gain Gain to Loss Loss to Gain Loss to Double Loss
Scene Scene Scene Scene

7 8 9 10
POV Character Key (Color Code)
Climax Purpose
Inciting Incident or Catalyst
This sets up the story and conflict while leading to

the Act I Climax. It forces the Central Character to
react. Their life, once balanced, is now out of
balance, and they won't achieve balance until
story's end.
Example: In Die Hard, John McClane argues with

his wife.
Set-piece or Big Event
The audience is now aware of the conflict's central

question: Will the Central Character be able to
overcome the primary conflict before an opposing
force achieves said conflict?
Example: Will John McClane be able to save the

hostages (Die Hard)?
Act I ends with the Central Character's desire to

address the Central Question.
Setback or Triumph
Rising Conflict
Example: John McClane has no shoes, and the

terrorist's feet are too small: setback. However, he
did take out a terrorist and gain information
regarding them: triumph.
Midpoint or Point of No Return

The Central Character has a clear purpose and is
Midpoint or Point of No Return
The Central Character has a clear purpose and is
committed due to an important event: motivated to
win due to raised stakes.
Example: John McClane finds the tower is wired

with bombs: a double-cross.
Desperate or Morally Questionable Actions
Motivation to win is clear, stakes are raised. Central

Character takes desperate actions that compromise
his values. One more triumphs arouse the
opposition who now shows his true strength.
The Crisis
The worst thing possible happens to the Central

Character or a crucial decision must be made. This
is also the darkest moment for the Central character
where all seems lost.
Example: Feet bloodied by the broken glass, John

McClane gets to the rooftop, saves the hostages, and
is shot at by the FBI.
Setback or Triumph
Rising Conflict
Example: John McClane jumps off the roof. He

defeats Karl, sort of.
Setback or Triumph
Rising Conflict
Example: John McClane jumps off the roof. He

defeats Karl, sort of.
Final Battle and Denouement
New inspiration (information, a person, an event)

drives the character to the Final battle.
Example: John finds out Hans is a thief; his wife has

been kidnapped. He kills Hans.
Denouement
Central Character grows, understands, or meta-

resurrects.
Character
Born Eyes
Age Hair
Details
Character
Born Eyes
Age Hair
Details
Character
Born Eyes
Age Hair
Details
Character
Born Eyes
Age Hair
Details
Character
Born Eyes
Age Hair
Details
Character
Born Eyes
Age Hair
Details
Character
Born Eyes
Age Hair
Details
Character
Born Eyes
Age Hair
Details
Character
Born Eyes
Age Hair
Details
Character
Born Eyes
Age Hair
Details
Character
Born Eyes
Age Hair
Details
Character
Born Eyes
Age Hair
Details
Character
Born Eyes
Age Hair
Details
Character
Born Eyes
Age Hair
Details
Character
Born Eyes
Age Hair
Details
Character
Born Eyes
Age Hair
Details
Character
Born Eyes
Age Hair
Details
Character
Born Eyes
Age Hair
Details
Text
The Story Grid: What Good Editors Know
Three Act Structure (Template)
Screenwriting Tricks for Authors: Stealing Hollywood: Story Structure Secrets for Writing Your Best Book
The Screenwriter's Bible
Author
Shawn Coyne
Chuck Lang
Alexandra Sokoloff
David Trottier
Citation
Coyne, Shawn. The Story Grid: What Good Editors Know. Black Irish Entertainment, 2015.
Lang, Chuck. “Writer Resources (Free Tools for Writers): The Three-Act Structure Spreadsheet.” Chuck Lang, 24 Oct. 2020, c
Sokoloff, Alexandra. Stealing Hollywood: Story Structure Secrets for Writing Your BEST Book. CreateSpace Independent Pub
Trottier, David. The Screenwriter's Bible: a Complete Guide to Writing, Formatting, and Selling Your Script. Silman-James Pre

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NOVEL TITLE HERE

Scene Scene Scene Scene

Inciting Incident or Catalyst

This sets up the story and conflict while leading to

Example: In Die Hard, John McClane argues with

Set-piece or Big Event

The audience is now aware of the conflict's central

Example: Will John McClane be able to save the

Act I ends with the Central Character's desire to

Example: John McClane has no shoes, and the

Midpoint or Point of No Return

Example: John McClane finds the tower is wired

Desperate or Morally Questionable Actions

Motivation to win is clear, stakes are raised. Central

The worst thing possible happens to the Central

Example: Feet bloodied by the broken glass, John

Example: John McClane jumps off the roof. He

Example: John McClane jumps off the roof. He

Final Battle and Denouement

New inspiration (information, a person, an event)

Example: John finds out Hans is a thief; his wife has

Central Character grows, understands, or meta-

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