BEGINNING, MIDDLE, AND END

How many times have we heard that? All stories must have a beginning, a middle and an end. Logical, isn’t it? It dates back to ancient Greece, several hundred years BC, when Aristotle developed the three act structure for plays.

The first act begins with setup, where all of the main characters and their basic situations are introduced, as well as the setting. The second act, or confrontation, is considered to be the bulk of the story. The third act, or resolution, is when the problem in the story boils over, leading to the climax, which is the answer to the dramatic question, being hand in hand with the end of the conflict.

So, beginning middle and end. Use the beginning to set the stage if you will. Introduce your main character(s), where they are (in time and place), and what their problem is. Use the middle to tell the story of the main character (called, in writing circles, the protagonist). The end is when the protagonist achieves their aims, and the story gets wrapped up neatly.

You want an example? I often use Die Hard to explain some story concepts. If you haven’t watched it yet, I can recommend it. Bruce Willis has hair!

The opening shows John McClane (Bruce Willis) on a flight from New York (where he’s a cop) to California. His wife, Holly McClane (played by Bonnie Bedelia) has moved there to take on a senior role in a Japanese company after their marriage fell into difficulties. John wants to use a Christmas break to try to repair the relationship. The story takes a twist when a team of terrorists, led by Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman, RIP) take over the party and hold the partygoers – including Holly – hostage. But John McClane manages to sneak away.

The middle is where all the action happens, as John McClane attempts to thwart the terrorists’ plans, which involves gunfights, explosions, and deadly tension. And we find out that they don’t want the release of political prisoners, as they initially communicate, but they’re out to rob the huge vault and steal tradable bearer bonds.

In the ending, there is a final confrontation between McClane and Gruber, where all the loose ends are tied up, McClane kills Gruber and the final terrorist, and he and his wife are driven off through the snow into a happier future. Probably.

But, even if you’re only writing a short story, it should still have this beginning, middle and ending structure.  I often start a new novel by writing out these three parts, as I get to grips with what the story actually is. And this 3-act structure is the fundamental basis for thousands upon thousands of stories.

Beginning – middle – end.

Setup – action – resolution.