Plot Structure Visualizer
Explore six proven story structures with interactive diagrams. See how master storytellers organize narratives and learn to apply these frameworks to your own work.
As you revise beats, open a tab with TextCheck to keep language crisp while you experiment with structural changes here.
Three-Act Structure
The classic Hollywood structure: Setup, Confrontation, Resolution. Used in 90% of films and novels.
Hero's Journey
Joseph Campbell's monomyth: The protagonist leaves home, faces trials, and returns transformed.
Save the Cat
Blake Snyder's 15-beat structure for screenwriting. Precise timing for maximum audience engagement.
Freytag's Pyramid
Five-act dramatic structure: Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Denouement.
Kishōtenketsu
Japanese four-act structure without conflict: Introduction, Development, Twist, Reconciliation.
Seven-Point Structure
Dan Wells' structure focusing on character transformation: Hook, Plot Turn 1, Pinch 1, Midpoint, Pinch 2, Plot Turn 2, Resolution.
Why Story Structure Matters
Every memorable story follows a structure—whether the author planned it or not. These frameworks aren't rules to limit creativity; they're tools to harness it.
By understanding how tension builds, where turning points occur, and how resolutions satisfy readers, you can craft stories that resonate emotionally while maintaining narrative momentum.
Choose a structure above to see interactive diagrams, generate example stories, and learn when to follow the template—and when to break it.