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How to Write About the Structure of a Story

Whether your a student of writing or a teacher, a time will come when you'll have to evaluate the structure of a story. While it may seem like a vague concept at first, breaking it down into specific elements can help you assess it logically and clearly. The term "structure" itself tends to be an encompassing expression, including both the physical aspects of a story, such as pacing and dialogue, as well as internal elements, such as plot points and climaxes.

Things You'll Need

  • Word processor
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Instructions

    • 1

      Describe the pacing of the book. Is it patient and detailed, or does it contain a lot of dialogue and brief paragraphs? Is it a reflective story that takes time to build, or is a page turner? The pacing of the story may help reveal its intended audience, as commercial books tend to have faster pacing.

    • 2

      Describe "the call to action" which drives the protagonist, and compels him to perform the main action of the story. Also, see if there is a trigger; an initial event which drives him to act on his desire. This will be towards the beginning of the story.

    • 3

      Note the major plot points in which the main character experiences conflict or confrontation, and responds to them. This should occur through most of the story. When writing about it, avoid being too detailed. Elucidate on where they occur in the plot, and how the tension builds with each one.

    • 4

      Evaluate the climax of the story. When describing it or critiquing its effectiveness, assess the intensity of the climax and duration, determining if it is successfully proportional to the length and style of story. For example, some literary stories may have an understated climax that allows the reader to interpret its intentions, while commercial books will try to have a "blockbuster" crisis that entertains the reader.

    • 5

      Note how the story resolved itself, or what it decided to leave unresolved. This is often called the denouement. When writing about it, consider what was left to interpretation and the reason the writer made that decision.

Literature

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