September 18: Narrative arc
A look at how a narrative arc helps your reader follow and stay interested in your story.
Source: Clear Voice
Published: April 2019
Narrative arc
Whether you’re writing an operating plan (e.g., OP1), a children’s book, or a pitch for a startup, employing a narrative arc helps your reader follow your story.
Exposition — the background information, such as historical context.
Rising action — a conflict that gives rise to the main purpose of your writing.
Climax — the most exciting or important part of the story, the main point.
Falling action — the de-escalation of tension or conflict to make way for the conclusion.
Resolution — the ending point where the story ties up neatly.
Example: Amazon Echo’s commercial “Cooking Together” is a 30-second ad that uses the narrative arc.
Exposition: a woman burns a duck she’s cooking and uses the Alexa video calling feature to ask her father for help.
Rising Action: her father instructs her as she puts together a new meal.
Climax: the woman quickly puts together a beautiful pasta dinner.
Falling Action: dinner is ready, the doorbell rings, and her dad asks, “what’s his name?”
Resolution: “Alexa, hang up,” and as she walks to get the door, we see “Dinner with Sam” on her Echo Show’s home screen.
------------
Did you appreciate the fact today?