Cheat Sheet: 7-Point Story Structure

When plotting, I’m constantly reminded by my writing friends of the Three Act structure. You can think of that in terms of a three act play with setup, rising action and then climax with resolution. To be honest, I still get a bit stumped with this structure, though.  I mean, I get it and all, but when actually putting the nuts and bolts into a story, there just aren’t enough posts for me to hang my narrative. Rather, it ends up being a way for me to go back and check my work. For those of you who are like-minded, I wanted to point out the 7-Point Story Structure.

1. Hook

2. Plot Turn 1

3. Pinch

4. Mid-point

5. Plot Turn 2

6. Pinch

7. Resolution

During the HOOK portion, you want to start your main character out in a position opposite from where the character will end up at the resolution. The easiest way to do this is to start the MC out in a position of weakness. Think Harry Potter living as an orphan under the stairs. What ultimate strength will be earned and uncovered at the climax? Now what is the corresponding weakness?

PLOT TURN 1 should be the call to adventure. (Example from Harry Potter: Magic!)

Use the PINCH to apply pressure and introduce danger.

The MIDPOINT, PLOT TURN 2, and the second PINCH can be shuffled around a bit as needed.

At the MIDPOINT, the MC and friends move from reaction to action. They confront new ideas, learn something and decide to do something about it. This may actually come fairly early in the book. In other words, midpoint does not need to mean “halfway” here.

For PLOT TURN 2, something horrible happens, but now the main character has what he needs. This will move us from trying to succeed to succeeding. The MC despairs, but is then told or realizes, “The power is in you.” Think Star Wars.

In PINCH 2 the plan fails. The MC is confronted by the jaws of defeat. Classic examples include the loss of a mentor and the loss or perceived loss of “everything.” Here the MC is forced to grow up in some way.

The RESOLUTION wraps up in a satisfying way the plot thread. This can be traditional mystery resolutions. A big fight scene. The MC saves the day. Whatever the primary goal of your hero’s plot was. But also think of it in terms of character movement. If the MC began as a rule breaker/loner, he might achieve a more powerful position by becoming a team player in the climax.

The Plot Turn/Pinch structure facilitates the use of TRY/FAIL cycles. The MC should TRY/FAIL at least twice before achieving his goal, otherwise the goal might be too easy for the reader to care. During the course of this, you may use the fails to demonstrate consequences–”Choose wisely or else.”

To include SUBPLOTS, you may overlay the 7-Point Structure, one on top of another. A good rule of thumb is a resolution of one plot comes at the pinch of another. For instance, the MC might manage to do something/to achieve something as another aspect crashes.

I hope this helps! Watch the 5-part video linked above for a full rundown of the method. It’s about 45 minutes total, but well worth it. Something that has helped me add additional fence posts for the narrative is to include interesting “reveals” around or during the plot turns.

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