Compare Story Structures
Select 2-3 structures to compare side by side and understand their unique approaches to storytelling.
As you evaluate beats, keep WordRight open so your explanatory notes stay grammatically sharp while you analyze differences.
Select Structures to Compare (2/3)
| Aspect | Three-Act Structure | Hero's Journey | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | The foundation of Western storytelling with setup, confrontation, and resolution. | Joseph Campbell's monomyth with 12 stages of transformation. | |
| Number of Sections | 3 sections | 12 sections | |
| Complexity | β Simple | βββ Complex | |
| Best For | Beginners, screenplays, traditional stories | Character transformation, epic tales | |
| Detailed Section Breakdown | |||
| Section 1 | Act 1: Setup Introduce characters, world, and inciting incident | Ordinary World Show hero in normal life | |
| Section 2 | Act 2: Confrontation Rising action, obstacles, midpoint twist | Call to Adventure Hero receives quest/challenge | |
| Section 3 | Act 3: Resolution Climax and resolution of conflict | Refusal of Call Hero hesitates or refuses | |
| Section 4 | β | Meeting Mentor Wise guide provides aid | |
| Section 5 | β | Crossing Threshold Hero commits to journey | |
| Section 6 | β | Tests & Allies Face challenges, make friends | |
| Section 7 | β | Approach Cave Prepare for major ordeal | |
| Section 8 | β | Ordeal Face death/greatest fear | |
| Section 9 | β | Reward Claim treasure/knowledge | |
| Section 10 | β | The Road Back Return journey begins | |
| Section 11 | β | Resurrection Final test of transformation | |
| Section 12 | β | Return with Elixir Bring wisdom/gift home | |
π‘ Choosing the Right Structure
No single structure is "best" - each serves different storytelling goals:
- Simpler structures (3-5 sections) offer flexibility and are easier to execute
- Complex structures (10+ sections) provide detailed guidance but require more planning
- Consider your genre - some structures align better with specific types of stories
- Experiment freely - you can mix elements from multiple structures