At a fundamental level, storytelling is simply choosing the order in which to provide information. But which order is best? How does controlling the rhythm and sequence of the information affect the reader? When should you speed things up or slow them down? How do you build tension, and when do you release it? A solid understanding of narrative structure can help you answer all these questions and more.
While there are nearly as many different story structures as there are writers, this class will familiarize you with the most common, including: three-act structure, the hero’s journey, and seven-point plots. It will also introduce non-Western storytelling structures such as kishōtenketsu.
Beyond these structures, the class will also look at the basic units that are common to all plot structures. It will also delve into the fundamental elements that lie at the heart of much of storytelling. Learn these to take your own narratives to the next level.