August 20, 2025
Have you considered your novel’s story arc? Think about the last time you read a novel whose story gripped you, that took you through every emotional high and low, and whose ending was deeply satisfying. Chances are good you were drawn in by a powerful story arc.
A story arc is one way to describe the direction of a novel. It’s the path the story takes from the opening scene to the final page. It is more than just the plot. It’s the underlying structure of a novel that drives the story forward to a satisfying resolution. Every good novel begins with a strong structure, and the author builds characters and themes onto that structure.
Like a character arc, it’s an essential part of any well-crafted novel—and, for that matter, any well-written movie or play. A character arc maps out the way the main character transforms during the novel’s twists and turns. The arc directs the actions of the characters. It determines when the plot twists happen. In a well-crafted arc, the protagonist transforms from an ordinary person into a hero.
This story arc is the structural backbone of a novel, outlining how the narrative unfolds from beginning to end. It charts the main character’s transformation through plot points that include changes and obstacles.
A strong story arc:
Most novelists and screenwriters use the six elements of a story arc to build tension, establish the protagonist’s goals, and guide the reader to the story’s end.
Here are examples of these key elements from The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Exposition: The story begins in the Shire, where the hobbits live an idyllic life untouched by the troubles of the outside world. We meet Frodo, who comes from a line of hobbits known for their adventurous spirit. We also meet a wise wizard named Gandalf, who has a special affection for the hobbits.
Inciting incident: Gandalf learns that Frodo is the heir to the One Ring, which grants the bearer ultimate power over the world. The problem is that the ring belongs to Sauron, the evil overlord of Mordor, and he’s doing everything within his evil power to get it back.
Rising action: Frodo and his companions begin the quest to return the ring to the fire of Mount Doom, which is the only place where they can destroy it. Along the way, they encounter obstacles, betrayals, deaths, and their inner weaknesses. The struggle continues as they meet allies and helpers. Meanwhile, the world is ready for a war with Sauron as Frodo and his companion Sam continue their march to Mount Doom. They are followed by Gollum, who wants the ring for himself.
Climax: After reaching the fires, the power of the ring overtakes Frodo. He is unwilling to destroy it. Gollum then tries to steal the ring, but Sam cuts it off Frodo’s finger and throws it into the fire with Gollum still attached to it.
Falling action: Sam and Frodo expect to die after completing their mission, but they are happy to be together and to have completed the quest. A group of eagles arrives to carry them away from Mordor, and they return to Middle-Earth as heroes.
Resolution: At the novel’s end, the rightful king Aragorn is on the throne. Middle-Earth is at peace, and the hobbits return to the Shire. The plot ties up loose ends about Sam, Frodo, and other key characters. There is sadness because Frodo ends up going to the book’s version of Paradise. There is also happiness for Sam, who kept his promise that, if he returned alive, he would ask Rosie Cotton to marry him. It’s a mixed emotional resolution that is satisfactory and leaves no loose ends or unresolved conflicts.
If you study any favorite novel or movie, you are likely to see the same six elements. Depending on the plot structure of a story, these elements may appear in varying orders, but they are always present.
Certain story arcs have become so widely used that they’ve developed their own terminology. If one of these appeals to you, consider using it for your novel.
This classic story arc is popular in epic tales and fantasy quest novels. Some examples are Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by JK Rowling and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. The Star Wars movies are a classic example.
Widely used in stage plays, screenplays, and novels, this is a simple, powerful story arc setup.
Widely used in screenwriting and novels, this framework divides the story into three acts or stages. You can think of the acts as the beginning, middle, and end. Here’s the breakdown.
Here’s an example of the three-act structure using Jane Austen’s Emma.
In this setup, the story involves a series of escalating conflicts and crises that lead to a final climax and resolution. There is little exposition and setup. Instead, the inciting incident happens in the first scene. The protagonist jumps into action immediately. In diagram form, it goes:
Of these elements, the plot mostly centers on the rising action or series of crises. This structure keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. It’s an excellent choice for thrillers, mysteries, and suspense novels.
Every novel begins with a solid structure. The writer then builds worlds, characters, motivations, and crises on that structure. You can be a hero to your readers by creating a believable, engaging plot that sweeps them away.
We hope you found this article about a story arc useful. If your book needs a printing hero, count on Publishing Xpress.
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