How to Write a Novel with the Three-Act Structure

The three-act structure is one of the most popular plot structures, and most other plot structures are based on it! Even unintentionally, most stories fit the three-act structure in some way, because they have a beginning, middle, and end. Because it's a structure that applies so widely, it's also one of the best to study and learn from, especially if you want a structure that's not too rigid.

In this video, we'll cover the three sections of the three act-structure: the beginning, the middle, and the end, and the plot points and qualities you'll want to include in each act.

LEARN MORE:

TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Intro
1:15 - The beginning
4:53 - The middle
6:55 - The end

FIND REEDSY HERE:

RESOURCES:

[Just_me_Jack]

Really fantastic video. Helped me clarify some structural issues I had with a fanfiction I'm writing (Harry Potter stuff). You explained it very well. Some of the things you brought up really helped me understand that one of the events in my story I'd considered "mid-point conflict" is better suited to an *ACT III* resolution beat (because it is a result of some character change that was really too long to be the first half of ACT II). That simple change made the story flow so much more smoothly in my head and gave me more room in *ACT II* to expand a supporting plot I had previously dropped because it was a bit long.

Many thanks!

[rachelthompson]

Best to start everyday life with an everyday conflict, better if it's already an ongoing problem for the protag.
"Everyday trouble, " as Campbell said.

[acwright]

I used the 3 act structure to write my novel, Recon: Earth. It worked awesomely well.

[magsd]

Thats what I used for my outline! I really like it because it gave me the perfect amount of scenes and planning to work with and still leaves me room to let the story take off when it wants to. Can't wait to actually start writing it in 2 days for NaNoWriMo!

[amitjaffe]

im working on a book which might go on this, the book's name is "20 years of horror", and im using reedsy for it.

[MK]

I used to prefer the hero's journey but after watching this video this story plot just makes more sense to me.

[positiveandhealthy]

Thanks, I run, 6 mornings a week and goes into stillness, pray, and follow a vegetable based diet from, listen to music and have a attitude of gratitude.

[basthejokester]

I feel like this story structure needs a different name than the three-act structure like it's pretty basic and simple but feel it should be called maybe the Story Structure Starter Pack. You can start with this if your a beginner than can use another structure to expand building on this one. All stories follow three-act structure which is why I think it should have a different name and my supporting arguments I hope to prove.

[arulsimions]

You are explaining Fabulously. I have been writing a love story with a serious plot of a three couple on reunion of a great give some clue

[noname]

Hi reedsy. I get interested into reading books because of japanese light novels. One of the series I read has 20+ series. In the video it is told that most problem can be traced to act I where we make setup. But what about very long series that has 20+ books? Also is there any tips on applying three act structure to make this kind of length? Preferably shown in chart or something how does very long series looks like in three act structure. Thanks a lot! I have been reading reedsy blog too. It helps a lot explaining things about storytelling

[ishabhargava]

How do I know my story is in its 25 % etc? I'm still confused

[storywala]

I basically use the 3 act structure, but the ratio is flexible.

[cortus]

This was a unintentional diss at the new starwars trilogy and their terrible plotting