Structuring Your Script's Plot

Proper structure will give a scriptwriter the ability to convert his or her idea into a interesting story. In general there is a basic structure that almost every script follows. This structure has 8 elements. Following is a description for each one.

ONE: BACK STORY
This concerns the character's past which tells the audience about the character and the story. This information is give through the characters' actions and through the characters' dialogue. This information is also given through narrations and flashbacks. The back story should be delivered incrementally through the story instead of all at once in the beginning.

TWO: EXPOSITION
This is the information the audience needs to understand a story completely. For example, the main character may have a fear or phobia that is revealed to the audience but explained. Later in the movie through a flashback or through dialog the exposition, an explanation for the fear or phobia, is revealed. The exposition should be given dramatically through conflict. In the conflict the main character over comes the fear or phobia.

THREE: PACE
As a script progresses, the action will intensify. This is known as the pace. When a story's pace is well organized, it is like an emotional roller coaster ride for the reader and audience. The obstacles become tougher until when the story reaches its climax it becomes claustrophobically tight.

FOUR: TURNING POINTS
These are the key points that take the story and characters to a new direction. This occurs every time the action seems to settle down. This keeps the story interesting and lively.

FIVE: OBSTACLES
These are the inner or outer forces that prevent the main character from accomplishing his or her prime goal. As the pace of the story progresses the obstacles become more intense and difficult.

SIX: DRAMATIC IRONY
This occurs when the audience knows something important that the main character does not know. This could be a character coming home after his wife just committed a murder in the house and has cleaned it up.

SEVEN: CLIMAX
This is the big scene in the movie where the main character must face his or her fears and confront oppositions. In short fight his or her last battle physically or emotionally.

EIGHT: RESOLUTION
This occurs in the last scene of a movie. The main character has won his or her battle and has become a better person.

Before actually writing a story into a script the writer should consider the structure. Be sure to hold the reader's attention. Once a writer can master forming the perfect plot structure for a story idea, he or she can enjoy a successful script writing career.