Logline:
Protagonist: Kanzaki Kazuragi (3rd person omniscient)
Hook:
Roadmap: 2-3 paragraph summary of major plot points,
your roadmap
Concise summary of the novel
- The Set Up: beginning 20% of the novel
- The Confrontation: middle 60% of the novel, biggest part
- The Resolution: final 20% of the novel
your concise summary
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- Act 1
Stasis: what the story is like before the plot kicks off (seemingly normal world from protagonist's POV before turning upside down and realizing none of this is normal).
Example: The orphanage in The Promised Neverland seems like a wonderful home for many orphans hoping and waiting to be adopted. The children are like one big happy family under the loving and sweet care of “mother”.
your act 1
Catalyst: at the end of STASIS, first 10% of the novel. The point in which the plot really starts to kicks off (i.e. the protagonist does or discovers something that completely changes their pov and/or throws them into a situation with absolutely no control).
Example: Katniss Everdeen volunteers in place of her younger sister thus sealing her fate as a district champion.
your catalyst
Debate: protagonist wonders if, after seeing/experiencing the catalyst, they should continue with what they thought was normal or if they should try to escape and learn the truth.
Example: in The Promised Neverland, Emma and Norman recount what they saw (their childhood friend’s dead corpse in the back of a truck) and try to make sense of things (they wonder what mother’s part is in all of this).
your debate
———————
- Act 2
Break into 2: Protagonist takes an action or makes a choice that progresses them into the next section of the plot.
-Protagonist has to make an active choice.
-Neo takes the red pill.
-Protagonist enters a new environment/world different from what they started in.
-Katnis boards the train to the capitol.
Example: The senior kids in The Promised Neverland decide they have to escape after witnessing the catalyst (learning that the orphanage is a farm).
your break into 2
Midpoint: a major change at 50% of the novel.
-Major revelation/twist.
-Escalation of the stakes.
-False victor or false defeat (story isn’t over yet so it’s just a battle victory not a war victory).
your midpoint
Low Point: 75% of the novel.
-Absolute lowest emotional point of the protagonist.
-Protagonist emotionally and physically isolated.
-Reflection/introspection on how the protagonist made it to this point.
-external consequences that bring the protagonist to this low point.
Example: Sirius Black is murdered in Harry Potter (Harry Potter’s entire family tree is now dead. Except for his aunt and uncle but they’re pretty much dead to him by the end of the series.
your low point
Break into 3: 80% of the novel.
-Decision/commitment, protagonist makes a choice to stand up after falling down
-Revelation/new insight, protagonist realizes that this low point is not permanent. They are still alive so they can still fight.
-Emotional change, protagonist’s depression or disparity turns to hope or motivation.
-Extra: meanwhile the antagonist does something that will mess with the protagonist’ final plan.
Example: The Avengers find Scott who helps them to build a Time Machine which they use to get the infinity stones and snap back everyone who was erased in the blip. But things don’t go according to plan…
your break into 3
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- Act 3
The Climax: HUGE plot point, a huge build up to a final point, ultimate confrontation, highest stakes (either succeed or die), protagonist’s personal journey reaches the final test, crucial decision of the protagonist, most emotionally challenging part for the protagonist
-Gathering the team
-Executing the plan
-the huge surprise that forces the protagonist to improvise
-Protagonist digs deep to ensure their success
-executing the new improvised plan for a final push/attempt
-Extra: the antagonist pulls a trick that completely flips the tables on the protagonist.
Example: Tony Stark snaps Thanos and his forces away and finally ends the battle and claims victory for the universe.
your climax
Denouement: after the climax, ties up loose ends, emotional closure of protagonist
-return to (true) normalcy, a new kind of normal, a different state of equilibrium
-character’s final fates, transformations
-protagonist reflection
-subplot resolutions (wraps up secondary story lines, i.e. side characters).
-set up for the sequel
Extra: how the character escapes after suffering the worst possible defeat (set up for sequel).
Example: Tony’s funeral is held and attended by The Guardians of the Galaxy, Spider-Man, War Machine, the remaining Avengers and several other side characters.
Extra Example: Captain America realizes that Thanos succeeded in his plan and falls to his knees. Half of the universe’s residents are erased from existence resulting in the biggest defeat possible and sets up the plot for Avengers: Endgame.
your denoument