: Re: Do Novels follow a 3 Act/2 Plot Point structure like most Movie Scripts? Many Movie scripts use a Structure where there are 3 Acts (Setup, Climax, Resolution) with 2 Plot Points (end of Act

@Ann1701686

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The three act structure is used, but not by everyone and not all of the time. It would be fair to say the three act structure originated either in plays where the content necessarily needed to subdivide and fit into a given period of time; Movies, relatively recent phenomenon with profit incentives really formalized it and pushed it to make as much money as possible. But back to books...

There are lots of ways to write a book. And there are lots of ways to analyze books. If you talk to writers you'll find that the number that intentionally structure their books into acts is quite low. However, it does happen and many of the writing methods that people use lead towards that format. It's an open question though as to why. Do they do it because ultimately that's what works best? Or do they do it because our culture is so familiar and inundated with 3-act that it's what is easiest, and therefor best for our culture? And even if they don't do it, 3 act structure is close enough to astrology that you can usually make it fit any work if you try hard enough.

I've heard of various structures for novels. 7-point, 3-act, 3-act-snowflake (actually 4), 15 point-3-act (Blake's beat sheet, from save the cat), mice. There are all sorts, but what almost everyone agrees on is that you should introduce your conflict, have tension, a climax and wind down.

To answer your question concisely: Some novels follow the 3 act structure, but not all novels. Even those that appear to follow 3-act may not have intentionally done so.

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